Chile, South America
Atacama Desert in May
Crisp and clear, with excellent stargazing and few visitors. Pack a warm jacket for early starts.
The straight answer
May is one of the best months of the year to visit Atacama Desert. Crisp and clear, with excellent stargazing and few visitors. Pack a warm jacket for early starts.
- Weather
- Mild days near 72F (22C), nights near freezing
- Crowds
- 2 of 5
- Prices
- 2 of 5
What May is like in Atacama Desert
May is crisp, clear and quiet. Days are mild, near 72F (22C), and nights drop to around freezing. The air is very dry, the skies are sharp, and there are few visitors. Prices are among the lowest of the year, and the high-altitude tours run on schedule.
It is ideal for stargazers and for travelers who want calm trails and good value. Families with older kids will enjoy the space and astronomy, as long as everyone packs real winter layers for the early starts. If you hate cold mornings, April or October are a little gentler.
Make the most of May
What is especially good about Atacama Desert this month.
Some of the year's darkest skies
Dry air and the Milky Way core overhead make May nights excellent for telescope tours.
Low prices and easy booking
Hotels and tours are cheaper than in summer, and you can often book a day ahead.
Quiet sunsets at Valle de la Luna
Fewer visitors means more room at the viewpoints as the salt ridges turn orange.
What to pack for May
- A real winter jacket for nights near freezing
- Thermal base layers for El Tatio
- Warm gloves and a beanie
- Sunscreen, since midday sun is strong at altitude
Our timing tip
Pick a hotel with heating; many budget rooms in San Pedro are unheated and nights get cold this month.
Book Atacama Desert for May.
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- Hotels for May
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Atacama DesertOpens a hotel search for Atacama Desert in May, 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 May. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
What's on in May
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 May, quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Atacama Desert?
May is one of the best months of the year to visit Atacama Desert. Crisp and clear, with excellent stargazing and few visitors. Pack a warm jacket for early starts.
What is the weather like in Atacama Desert in May?
Mild days near 72F (22C), nights near freezing.
Is Atacama Desert crowded in May?
May is one of the quieter months in Atacama Desert; most sights can be done without long waits.
What is happening in Atacama Desert in May?
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.
Also at their best in May
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