Major city · Chile
Calama
Spend one night in Calama to catch a bus to San Pedro de Atacama; otherwise skip and fly directly to Antofagasta.
Calama is a small desert gateway town. Most visitors stay just long enough to catch a bus to San Pedro (2 h) or join a 4WD tour. One night covers the bus connection, a quick city stroll and optional free Chuquicamata mine tour.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CLP
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Dec
- avoid Jun–Aug (cold nights, limited services)
- Airport
- CJC
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Chile ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Chile's National Migration Service or a Chilean consulate; keep the entry slip or digital record you receive.
- Chile ↗Torres del Paine: campsites and refugios on the W and O treks must be booked in advance, and the park requires an entry ticket bought ahead; check the official park (CONAF) channels.
- Chile ↗Chile strictly controls food imports: declare fruit, meat, dairy, seeds and honey on arrival, or throw them away before customs.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Calama133 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Calama, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Chilean peso (CLP, $).Chile-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckEntel, Movistar, WOM and Claro sell prepaid SIMs; foreign phones may need IMEI registration after a period — check.Chile-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most cities; boil or filter in rural areas and on treks.Chile-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% suggested on the bill; you may decline.Chile-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/L. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Chile-wide
- SafetyCalama is generally safe; stay aware of desert heat, keep valuables secure in crowded bus stations, and avoid isolated desert areas after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin in older buildings; bus terminals charge.Chile-wide
- Emergency numbers133 police · 131 ambulance · 132 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany businesses close on 18–19 September; Sunday trading is limited in small towns.Chile-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCJC El Loa Airport.
- Getting aroundMost of downtown is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Collectivo (shared taxi)700 CLP
- Metro or bus rideCity bus300 CLP
- Mid-range bedHotel double room (Hotel Aymara)30,000 CLP
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CLP 25,000–35,000 · Mid CLP 35,000–55,000 · High CLP 55,000+
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CJC El Loa Airport
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Feb
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Mar
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Dec
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Dec. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest May (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) low). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Calama: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
0 rd
Feb
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0 rd
Mar
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Most of downtown is walkable. Collectivos cost 700 CLP; city buses 300 CLP. Main bus stations on Calle Antofagasta serve San Pedro and regional routes.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Chuquicamata Mine free tour
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Bus B or D to Codelco Norte office, then guided bus at 13:00Bus B or D to Codelco Norte office, then guided bus at 1:00 PM
Free, English‑Spanish guide; reservation required.
Memorial for '73 Disappeared
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
Taxi or collectivo north along Route 23
Open‑air site on the road to San Pedro.
San Pedro de Atacama
goDoor to door: ≈2 h
Bus from Calle Antofagasta stations, 2 h
Main desert destination; early buses allow same‑day arrival.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hostal Nativo
Rooms from 29,000 CLP; Wi‑Fi, hot shower.
Hotel Aymara
30,000 CLP; breakfast included.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- CLP 25,000–35,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- CLP 35,000–55,000 excl. bed
- High
- CLP 55,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Collectivo (shared taxi) | 700 CLP |
| City bus | 300 CLP |
| Hostel bed (Hostal Nativo) | 29,000 CLP |
| Hotel double room (Hotel Aymara) | 30,000 CLP |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus to San Pedro departs from the cheaper stations on Calle Antofagasta; avoid the Terminal de Buses unless you walk 1.5 km (0.9 mi) back.Bus to San Pedro departs from the cheaper stations on Calle Antofagasta; avoid the Terminal de Buses unless you walk 0.9 mi (1.5 km) back.
- Chuquicamata mine tours are free but require advance reservation (email visitas@codelco.cl).
- Nighttime desert temperatures can drop to –15 °C (59 °F) in May; bring warm clothing.Nighttime desert temperatures can drop to –59 °F (15 °C) in May; bring warm clothing.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 133
- Ambulance
- 131
- Fire
- 132
Pocket card
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CalamaCalama
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police133
- Ambulance131
- Fire132
Embassy
US consulate in Antofagasta; Chilean embassy in Santiago.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Calama → San Pedro: ≈3,000 CLP, 2 h (check schedule)
- Collectivo within Calama: ≈700 CLP per ride
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (disˈkulpe)
- Gracias — Thank you (ˈɡɾasjas)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (ˈkwanto ˈkwesta)
- ¿Dónde está la estación de buses? — Where is the bus station? (ˈdonde esˈta la esˈtaθjon de ˈbuses)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Calama. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Dec · avoid Jun–Aug (cold nights, limited services) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Calama
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