The towns and villages in Chile’s North offer a quieter, more traditional glimpse into life in the desert and highlands. Scattered across the arid plains, fertile oases, and rugged mountains, these communities reflect centuries of adaptation to one of the harshest environments on Earth. In the desert interior, many towns grew up around the nitrate and copper industries, while others are ancient settlements built around precious sources of water, like the green oasis of Pica. Famous for its sweet citrus fruits and natural hot springs, Pica is a refreshing contrast to the surrounding desert and a beloved stop for travelers seeking a moment of relaxation and shade.
The Atacama Desert is also home to some of the region’s oldest and most culturally significant villages. Near Calama in Antofagasta, the tiny adobe town of San Francisco de Chiu Chiu sits quietly in the desert, known for its beautiful 17th-century church, one of the oldest in Chile, and its role as a gateway to ancient pre-Columbian trails. Not far away, San Pedro de Atacama has become one of the most iconic villages in northern Chile, attracting visitors with its charming streets, traditional adobe architecture, and vibrant artisan markets. Though now a popular base for exploring the surrounding salt flats, geysers, and desert landscapes, San Pedro still retains a deep connection to its Atacameño heritage and serves as a living link to the region’s indigenous history.
High in the altiplano, remote Aymara villages like Colchane, Cariquima, and Isluga offer an even more traditional way of life, where herding llamas and alpacas, cultivating terraced fields, and celebrating colorful Andean festivals remain central to daily existence.
These desert and mountain communities form a vital part of northern Chile’s character. They tell the story of how people have lived and thrived in an extreme landscape for generations.