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Geysers del Tatio
Best time to visit
Dawn between 06.00 and 08.00 gives the clearest steam columns when cold air meets boiling water, and the morning sun colors the mountains red. Winter's clear mornings have the best visibility, but expect below-freezing temperatures and bring every warm piece of clothing you own.
Budget tips
The entrance fee is around 11,000 Chilean pesos for foreign visitors and is paid at the gate. Rent your own car and go at dawn instead of booking an expensive group safari. All operators run the same route, so compare prices before you choose.
Recommended for
Photography enthusiasts, Adventurers, Nature lovers, Early birds
Plan your visit
2-3 hours
About
Quick facts: The field sits at an altitude of 4,320 meters, so boiling water spouts at just 86 degrees in the thin air. Around 80 active geysers get a chance to show off in the early morning hours before the sun warms things up and the steam disappears.
Highlights: The name tatio means "grandfather" in Kunza, the language of the people who lived here long before the Incas arrived. At dawn, the steam jets reach up to three meters in the freezing air, but just an hour later the field lies almost silent.
Insider tips
- Dress in layers, because the temperature hovers near zero even though the ground is boiling all around you.
- Never jump into any pool. The water is over 80 degrees and has caused serious injuries in the past.
- Sit at the edge of the big pools and let the steam become your own natural sauna, a local favorite that few tourists know about.
- Walk toward the eastern part of the field to get away from the crowds that gather at the entrance.
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