Chile, South America
Atacama Desert in March
Storms taper off and the summer crowds leave. A good month to start the best season.
The straight answer
March is a good month to visit Atacama Desert. Storms taper off and the summer crowds leave. A good month to start the best season.
- Weather
- Warm, highs near 79F (26C), storms fading
- Crowds
- 3 of 5
- Prices
- 3 of 5
What March is like in Atacama Desert
March is when the Atacama settles down. Storms fade through the month, days stay warm with highs near 79F (26C), and nights get cooler. The summer holiday crowds leave after school starts, and prices ease a little. Roads to El Tatio and the high lagoons reopen more reliably, though an early storm is still possible.
It is a good month for travelers who want warm days and fewer people, and for families who can travel outside Chilean school breaks. Stargazers do well as clouds clear. If you want the most reliable skies, the second half of the month beats the first, and April is better still.
Make the most of March
What is especially good about Atacama Desert this month.
The start of the good season
Storms thin out, so the altiplanic lagoons of Miscanti and Miniques become a safe plan again.
Quieter tours
With summer travelers gone, small-group stargazing and geyser tours have more space and easier booking.
Flamingos at Laguna Chaxa
Flamingos feed in the shallow lagoons of the Salar de Atacama. Warm evenings make sunset visits pleasant.
What to pack for March
- A warm layer for cold geyser mornings
- A light shell in case of a late storm
- Sunglasses with good UV protection
- Electrolyte packets for altitude days
Our timing tip
Go in the second half of March, when the last storms have usually passed and the school holidays are over.
Book Atacama Desert for March.
Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Hotels for March
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Atacama DesertOpens a hotel search for Atacama Desert in March, 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 March. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
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 March, quick answers
Is March a good time to visit Atacama Desert?
March is a good month to visit Atacama Desert. Storms taper off and the summer crowds leave. A good month to start the best season.
What is the weather like in Atacama Desert in March?
Warm, highs near 79F (26C), storms fading.
Is Atacama Desert crowded in March?
Crowds in Atacama Desert are moderate in March; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.
Keep planning Atacama Desert.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in March
Before you book.
Sort these two things first.
Sponsored links. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Visit Faye
Travel insurance.
FayeA missed connection, a bag that never turns up, a hospital abroad: far cheaper to cover before departure than to argue about after.
- Visit Saily
eSIM data.
SailySet up an eSIM before you fly so your phone has data the moment you land, without roaming charges.
Our top-rated travel gear
Whatever you decide, this is the gear we actually travel with: verified, priced, and ranked. Live price check on each.
As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.