Chile, South America
Atacama Desert in June
Winter brings the clearest skies and best stargazing, but freezing nights. Fiesta de San Pedro on June 29 brings dances to the town.
The straight answer
June is a good month to visit Atacama Desert. Winter brings the clearest skies and best stargazing, but freezing nights. Fiesta de San Pedro on June 29 brings dances to the town.
- Weather
- Cool days near 70F (21C), cold nights near 28F (minus 2C)
- Crowds
- 2 of 5
- Prices
- 2 of 5
What June is like in Atacama Desert
June is Atacama winter. Days are cool but sunny, near 70F (21C), and nights drop to about 28F (minus 2C). Skies are the clearest of the year, and stargazing is excellent. Crowds are low and prices are good. On June 29, San Pedro celebrates its patron saint with dances and processions in the town center.
It suits stargazers and anyone who does not mind cold mornings. Families should pack serious winter gear, since dawn at El Tatio can be well below freezing. Snow can occasionally close high passes. If you want warmer nights with similar skies, May or September are a softer choice.
Make the most of June
What is especially good about Atacama Desert this month.
Fiesta de San Pedro y San Pablo
On June 29 the town fills with traditional dances, music and processions. It is a real local festival, not a show.
The clearest skies of the year
Winter air is dry and still, which makes night tours and astrophotography outstanding.
Steam at El Tatio
The colder the dawn, the taller the steam columns. June mornings make for dramatic views.
What to pack for June
- An insulated parka for dawn at the geysers
- Thermal underwear and wool socks
- Hand warmers for night tours
- A thermos for hot drinks on early starts
Our timing tip
If you want to see the Fiesta de San Pedro, book your room early for late June, since the town fills around June 29.
Book Atacama Desert for June.
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- Hotels for June
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Atacama DesertOpens a hotel search for Atacama Desert in June, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Atacama DesertWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Atacama DesertTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Atacama Desert for June. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
What's on in June
Fiesta de San Pedro y San Pablo
June 29 every year
San Pedro de Atacama's patron saint festival, with traditional dances, processions, and music in the town center.
Milky Way core season
Roughly April through September
The brightest part of the Milky Way is overhead in the evening. Plan around the new moon for the best views.
Things to do in Atacama Desert
Valle de la Luna
A valley of salt formations, dunes, and ridges. Sunset from the viewpoints is the classic experience; entry is limited, so book ahead in high season.
El Tatio geysers
Leave San Pedro before dawn to see the geysers at their most active. It is freezing at that hour in any season, so dress in layers.
Stargazing tour
Local operators set up telescopes outside town. Book on nights close to the new moon for the darkest skies.
Laguna Cejar
A salt lagoon so dense you float, a short drive from San Pedro. Rinse off afterward; the salt dries fast.
Altiplanic lagoons (Miscanti and Miniques)
Deep blue lakes below volcanoes at over 13,000 feet. Go after a few days acclimatizing in San Pedro.
ALMA Observatory
One of the world's largest radio telescope arrays. Free public visits to the operations support facility run on weekends and must be booked in advance.
Beat the crowds
- Avoid Chile's summer holidays (January and February) and the July winter break, when San Pedro fills with domestic travelers.
- Book stargazing tours for nights near the new moon; tours still run on full moon nights, but the stars are washed out.
- Spend the first two days on lower-altitude trips like Valle de la Luna before tackling El Tatio and the high lagoons.
- April, May, October, and November combine clear weather with lower prices and fewer visitors.
Know before you go
- Summer storms in January and February can close roads and cancel tours to El Tatio, the high lagoons, and the Bolivian border.
- Winter snow in June through August can close the high passes and routes to Uyuni.
- Valle de la Luna and some other sites are managed by local Indigenous communities or public agencies and may close on certain days or have capped entry.
- ALMA public visits run only on weekends and require advance booking.
Atacama Desert in June, quick answers
Is June a good time to visit Atacama Desert?
June is a good month to visit Atacama Desert. Winter brings the clearest skies and best stargazing, but freezing nights. Fiesta de San Pedro on June 29 brings dances to the town.
What is the weather like in Atacama Desert in June?
Cool days near 70F (21C), cold nights near 28F (minus 2C).
Is Atacama Desert crowded in June?
June is one of the quieter months in Atacama Desert; most sights can be done without long waits.
What is happening in Atacama Desert in June?
Fiesta de San Pedro y San Pablo (june 29 every year); Milky Way core season (roughly april through september).
Keep planning Atacama Desert.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
- 01Atacama Desert in MayThe month before: Mild days near 72F (22C), nights near freezingBest
- 02Atacama Desert in JulyThe month after: Coolest month, days near 68F (20C), nights well below freezingQuiet value
- 03Atacama Desert in SeptemberThe next best month: Warming, days near 73F (23C), cold nightsBest
Also at their best in June
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