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Chile’s Bread

Chuquicamata is the largest copper mine in the world to which Chile owes its prosperous economy and the acknowledgement this natural metal has earned the country all round the world.

A 16-kilometer-long straight line of lanes that go in two opposite directions separate the mine from the City of Calama , a place mostly dwelled by the miners that work in is venue everyday. Chuquicamata is an amazing excursion even for those who are not interested either in the mining industry or in the high economical rates. The truth is that the over 620 thousand tons of fine copper of maximum purity invite the worst non-believers to see what this is about. And it is worth getting on the excursion bus to get to the core of this monster.

Eating with the Miners Almost by chance, lunchtime found us at the Club Social Empleados , the dining-room the miners have chosen for decades to have lunch which serves a unique menu everyday. Soup or broth as a starter, a main course, a soft drink or water and a dessert. Even though variety does not exist, no one rejects the dish of the day. Most customers find there a small place for recreation from the effort and the demands of the mine.

Tourists, on the other hand, try to go unnoticed (something impossible) and understand some codes and ways typical of those who work with copper everyday. Copper Rush No sooner had we finished having lunch than a bus full of tourists of all nationalities parked opposite the Chuquicamata Tourist Office. Once there, we were informed about what we could and could not do at the mine and shown an educational video about everything related to the copper industry.

We learned about how the metal is extracted, the technical processes used for its purification, the works done with it and, finally, the world destinations where this huge production is exported, such as the Asian, European and American markets. The theoretical knowledge had managed to calm down the eagerness of the group, at least for a few minutes. The members of the tour who were browsing an issue of “Oasis” magazine, a fortnight publication devoted to the mining industry, only had to hear the engine being started to make a queue in front of the bus that would take them directly to the mine, where they would experience the second part of the lecture: practice. A Real Sleeping Giant As soon as the bus stopped, it was impossible not to be amazed at what could be seen at first sight.

A huge grey depression, not to say a great crater, was the aim of our incredulous looks. With 4.5 kilometers of length and 3.5 kilometers of width and a depth of over 800 meters, the mine does not go unnoticed. Two operators dressed in red and wearing the corresponding helmets gave us our own helmets and indicated the few places around which we could step. In a matter of seconds, the attraction moved from the depths of the mine to the great number of road equipment and machinery that, along with the men who handle them, do the hard job.

Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, a fleet of approximately 120 trucks transports tons of the mineral extracted there, which is later turned into copper,. Their wheels caught our attention because they were larger than any of us. Photographs soon were taken everywhere. After almost one hour of listening to the guide, we gradually got to know the details of mining. In addition to representing job positions for thousands of families, this activity outlines the growth of the country through its most pampered raw material: copper. “Chile’s bread” was the nickname given to it by Salvador Allende and he was right.

Tour Chuquicamata

Photo Gallery of Calama

Caracteristics

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Useful Data

From Chuquicamata, it is possible to take part in one of the tours that leave towards the great mine everyday. Prior reservations should be made at the offices of Codelco opposite the small town square.

Frentete a la Plaza (1390000) Calama II Región de Antofagasta Tel: +56 55-2322122

From Here to Nowhere

Camping, hiking, and travel in asia, south america, and beyond, visiting chuquicamata ghost town and mine.

Posted By: Hiker July 3, 2015

Chuquicamata Background

The Chuquicamata copper mine near Calama, Chile, makes for an odd tourist attraction. Measuring 4.3 kilometres by 3 kilometres and over 900 metres deep, Chuquicamata is the world’s largest open pit copper mine and Chile’s largest producer of copper.

Copper has been mined in this area for hundreds for years, but modern large scale exploitation did not start until the early 1910s when European prospectors started buying and consolidating smaller and less productive local mines. In the 1960s the Chilean government bought up foreign-owned copper mines in the country, effectively natioanlizing copper production. Such was its contribution to the Chilean economy that president Salvador Allende nicknamed the raw copper “Chile’s bread”.

The Chuquicamata tour starts at the Codelco office in downtown Calama, where participants are registered and sign a liability waiver (this is, of course, still a fully active industry site, with all associated risks). After receiving a high-visibility vest, a hard hat, and strict instructions to follow the guide, we were taken in a coach to the mine.

Chuquicamata Ghost Town

The first stop of the tour bus was the most surprising for me: the Chuquicamata office where the guide provides an introduction to the mine is in the middle of a ghost town. The original Chuquicamata town, which housed all mine workers and their families from early in the mine’s development, was abandoned in 2007. Health and safety concerns over the high levels of dust from the mine and gasses from the smelting plant caused Codelco to relocate all families. Today the entire town stands abandoned, with boarded up buildings, fading signs, and wind blowing through the empty streets. As the town was only relatively recently abandoned, and because it is still on mining company property, it has suffered very little decay and vandalism. Although it is not possible to enter any of the buildings, even wandering the streets offers an evocative insight into the harsh realities of life here.

The empty streets of Chuquicamata town

Empty streets in the abandoned town’s plaza

Abandoned places are one of my favourite photographic subjects (see Pripyat ), so the opportunity to wander around the town, no matter how brief, was definitely a welcome surprise – I had seen no information about this on the Internet. A tip: our guide gave a long, long introduction to the mine in Spanish and then repeated it in English. While she was giving the translated version the Spanish speakers were free to wander around outside – so I took the opportunity to slip out with them. Those who stayed for the English translation only seemed to get a few minutes to look around the town.

The abandoned bank

A strange sight in the abandoned children’s playground next to the former school

Chuquicamata Mine

The next stop on the tour involved a bus trip up to the edge of the mining pit, and then slightly down into it to the mirador (viewpoint). This is a good opportunity to get close (or as close as you would want!) to the massive CAEX mining vehicles which plow up and down the pit road all day long. Towering way over our tour coach, each tyre alone is over 3 metres high, costs US $40,000, and must be replaced every eight months.

The massive CAEX mining vehicles plow up and down the mine all day

At the viewpoint on the edge of the mining put, it is virtually impossible to comprehend Chuquicamata’s true scale: the huge CAEX trucks look tiny as they carry ore up the mining roads some 800 metres below us. In fact, the mine is so deep that it was not possible to see the bottom. Looking across what is without doubt a huge and ugly scar on the landscape, the guide explained some statistics relating to Codelco’s contribution to the national economy, employment, and local community projects. With free tours such as this Codelco put a lot of emphasis on their commitment to healthy, safe, and fair conditions for their workers (as evidenced by their abandonment of the original town for health reasons), and their involvement in local community projects.

The scale of the mine is hard to comprehend

Below us, through clouds of dust, the CAEX vehicles look tiny

Chuquicamata Tours

Tours of Chuquicamata are run by the state mining company Codelco every week day and are conducted in English and Spanish. They run from approximately 1pm to 4.30pm and are free. However a donation, which goes to a charity for local children, is appreciated at the end of the tour. You can arrange a tour by emailing Codelco at [email protected].

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3 Comments on "Visiting Chuquicamata ghost town and mine"

I was born in Chiquicamata on December 17,1951. I was 7 years old when my family migrated to The United States. I have vaque memories of a wonderful time and plan to return some day, for a visit.

I lived in Chuquicamata in the 50s, attended Mrs Ruther’s kindergarten and after that the Foreign School, remembering a number of American teachers. Would love to return for a visit one day.

We were Peace Corps volunteer in Antofagasta 1965-1967. My husband visited the mine with the faculty of La Universidad Tecnica. I didn’t recall that there was a town there then.

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Chuquicamata Coppermine

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Know chuquicamata coppermine, información del destino:.

Biggest copper mine in the world.

All year long.

Photography.

Desert weather. The temperature oscillates between day and night time, and the summer rain is more frequent with a high media of 3 milimeters. The high media temperature is 24,5ºC and the lowest is 17,1ºC.

Food, transportation.

Anywhere-Santiago: Airway. Santiago-Antofagasta: Airway and land route, by Panamericana 5 North. Antofagasta-Calama: Land route, by Route 25 CH. Airway. Calama-Chuquicamata Mine: Land route (north way) Public and private transportation. Anywhere- Calama: Airway.

Ayquina, Calama, Caspana, Chiu-Chiu, Cupo, Conchi Dam, Geyser del Tatio, Ayquina Church, Lasana, Chuquicamata, Ollague, Conchi town, Coska town, Lasana Pukara, Turi Pukara, Loa River, Ascotan Salar, Carcote Salar, Toconce, Aucanquilcha Volcano. Admision Ask for visits in the Chuqui Office.

• Aldea de Tulor - 98 km Baños de Puritama - 97 km Calama - 17 km Chiu-Chiu - 25 km Cordillera de la Sal - 92 km El Loa y Calama - 21 km Geyser del Tatio - 89 km Iglesia San Pedro de Atacama - 97 km
• Museo Arqueológico de Calama - 20 km Museo Gustavo Le Paige - 97 km Parque el Loa - 24 km Pukará de Lasana - 26 km Pukará de Quitor - 94 km Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos - 97 km San Pedro de Atacama - 97 km Valle de la Luna - 93 km

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Touring the World’s Largest Copper Mine in Chuquicamata, Chile

The tour bus stopped and I could gaze down the humongous hole in the ground: 1 kilometer deep, 3 kilometers wide, and 5 kilometers long. Even while standing right next to it, it was hard to grasp.

Can you even begin to imagine the size of this mine?

Along the sides of the mine trucks slowly zigzagged up and down over unpaved roads that were constantly kept wet by other trucks to keep down the dust. Of the ninety-nine trucks, seven are permanently used to this end. The region has not seen rain for two years. I felt like I was staring at some futuristic stronghold that James Bond had to raze to the ground.

This mine is far from futuristic, though. In fact, it’s more than one hundred years old. In 1911, copper deposits were discovered north of Calama and quickly exploited by the US Anaconda Copper Mining Company.

It grew into the largest open-pit copper mine in the world, producing more than 600,000 tons of copper annually. It was in this mine where Che Guevara’s political consciousness began to stir, as described in his Motorcycle Diaries .

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The Copper Mine in Chuquicamata

The mine won’t go any deeper than it is, though. Digging deeper apparently is no longer profitable. Instead they have started digging tunnels sideways to find their way to more copper deposits

Moving the Town of Chuquicamata

The Chuquicamata mine remained in American hands until Salvador Allende nationalized all Chilean copper mines in 1970. Chuquicamata is now owned by Codelco : Corporación del Cobre (Copper Corporation).

Until a couple of years ago, the twenty thousand workers lived in the adjacent town of Chuquicamata. However, international environmental laws led to the evacuation of the entire village to Calama, sixteen kilometers farther south, turning the town of Chuquicamata into a ghost town. It is now disappearing under one of Chuquicamata’s many slag heaps.

Visiting the Mine

The only way to visit the mine is by booking a tour. I joined the rest of the visitors and boarded a bus where our host would explain everything we were going to see for the next two hours.

If truth be told, this entire mining industry is too large, too vast to really comprehend. Numbers related to the size of the mine, the quantities of copper extracted or the size of the mammoth slag heaps we passed were staggering and overwhelming. How do you visualize 600,000 tons of deposits that are daily transported, one third of which has copper-containing minerals? I simply can’t, and it boggled my mind during the entire tour.

From Chuquicamata the copper is transported by train to Mejillones, from where some forty percent is exported to Asia, of which twenty-two percent to China alone. The older slag heaps, dating from the 1950s, are on the agenda to be recycled. In those days the techniques to extract all the minerals were inadequate and the green color of the copper is still visible in the slag heaps.

If the pit wasn’t dazzling enough, the trucks definitely were: German Liebhers and Japanese Komatsus are eight meters wide and, when in operation, consume two to three liters of diesel per minute. The diesel tank holds four thousand liters. The trucks run twenty-four hours per day, transporting loads of 330 – 400 tons at the time and need maintenance once every two weeks. A tire costs thirty thousand dollars and lasts one year.

Since the driver sits on the left, the lane used by the trucks inside the mine has been switched to the left side for security reasons: this way the driver either drives along the upper wall or sits directly on the canyon side. Another security measure is that a pole, carrying a small flag in the top and light (for the night), is attached to all other vehicles, to prevent the vehicle from being run over by the massive trucks, as happened in the past.

The mine has gone through some major changes: instead of digging deeper, which is no longer profitable, horizontal tunnels are now being dug to further tap the copper deposits. The trucks will go out of business as they have become too expensive, and future deposits will be transported by electrically controlled conveyor belts.

A Necessity or is There Another Way?

I was impressed by what I saw and I was dazzled by the technology, the size of everything, and the numbers. It didn’t make me a happy person. It may be the largest open-pit copper mine, but fact is, this is not the only one mine in the world.

I understand the current need for copper yet I can’t fail to notice how we are not only depleting resources but are destroying the planet in the process. No matter how beautiful the tales of mining industries about how environmentally friendly they work, irreparable harm is being done to our planet, our only home.

For that reason I encourage others to go and check out mines, to see for yourself what level of destruction is going on. Seeing it with your own eyes does have a different impact than watching a documentary on the subject on television. Is there really no other way than mining to provide us with what we need?

Additional Reading (North & Central Chile):

• Visiting the Ghost Towns of Humberstone and Santa Laura (Chile)
• The Andacollo Festival in Chile
• Stargazing in Chile – Cerro Mamalluca

Practical Information on the Chuquicamata Coppermine

• Wearing long sleeves, long pants and closed shoes (no sandals) is mandatory.
• The mine lies 10 miles north of Calama. Calama has an airport with flights from and to Santiago and Antofagasta. Buses connect the town with other cities in Chile such as Santiago and San Pedro de Atacama, as well as with Salta in Argentina.
• In Calama you can rent a car. Another option is to organize a tour via one of Calama’s travel agencies downtown.

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Travel Tips For Chuquicamata

Unveiling the Copper Wonder: Exploring Chuquicamata, Calama in Chuquicamata

Nestled in the northern region of Chile, just outside the vibrant city of Calama, lies a place of immense historical significance and natural beauty - Chuquicamata. Known as the largest open-pit copper mine in the world, Chuquicamata offers visitors a unique opportunity to witness the grandeur of this remarkable mining site and immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of the region.

A Glimpse into History

Chuquicamata has a fascinating history that dates back centuries. The mineral deposits in this area were exploited by the Incas and Spanish explorers during the pre-colonial and colonial periods. However, it was during the War of the Pacific that Chile annexed parts of Peru and Bolivia, including Chuquicamata, leading to a significant influx of miners drawn by the allure of "Red Gold Fever."

Fun Facts about Chuquicamata

• Chuquicamata is the largest open-pit copper mine in terms of excavated volume in the world.
• Its depth of 850 meters (2,790 ft) makes it the second deepest open-pit mine globally.
• The mine is owned and operated by Codelco, a Chilean state enterprise, following the nationalization of copper in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
• Copper has been mined in Chuquicamata for centuries, with evidence of mining activity dating back to 550 A.D.

Unveiling the Copper Wonder

Visiting Chuquicamata is an awe-inspiring experience. As you approach the mine, the sheer magnitude of the excavation becomes apparent. The vast open pit stretches as far as the eye can see, showcasing the immense scale of copper extraction. Witnessing the colossal machinery and trucks used in the mining process is a sight to behold.

Things to Do and See

While the primary attraction of Chuquicamata is undoubtedly the mine itself, there are other noteworthy sights and activities in the area.

1. Calama City Exploration

Take some time to explore the nearby city of Calama, which serves as the gateway to Chuquicamata. Discover the local markets, taste traditional Chilean cuisine, and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of the region.

2. San Pedro de Atacama

A short drive from Chuquicamata lies the enchanting town of San Pedro de Atacama. Known for its stunning landscapes and unique geological formations, this desert oasis offers a range of outdoor activities such as stargazing, sandboarding, and exploring the otherworldly landscapes of the Atacama Desert.

3. Historical Sites

Delve into the region's history by visiting the nearby historical sites. Explore the ancient ruins of Tulor, an archaeological site dating back over 3,000 years, or visit the Museo del Desierto in Calama to learn more about the cultural heritage of the area.

When to Visit

Chuquicamata can be visited year-round, as the weather in the region remains relatively stable. However, it is advisable to check the local weather conditions before planning your trip. The summer months (December to February) offer pleasant temperatures, while the winter months (June to August) can be cooler, especially during the evenings.

Chuquicamata, Calama in Chuquicamata, is a destination that combines natural wonders, historical significance, and the allure of the mining industry. Whether you are captivated by the sheer scale of the open-pit mine, eager to explore the surrounding attractions, or simply intrigued by the rich history of the region, Chuquicamata promises an unforgettable experience. Embark on a journey to this copper heart of Chile and discover the wonders that lie within its depths.

Want to plan a trip here? Talk to AI travel assistant Maya.

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Places to visit around chuquicamata, calama.

Hostal San Ignacio

Camping "EL Arenal"

Pizarra Club

Ckepnitur TAMBO Pubs Restaurant

Hostal en calama

Residencial Silvia - Calama

Hotel Don Alfredo - Calama

Motel Rapid-inn

Calama Palace T&T Hotel

Mina de Chuquicamata

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Mina de Chuquicamata

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

Mina de Chuquicamata - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

• (0.46 km) Hotel Rustico Calama
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• (0.46 km) Rustico
• (0.40 km) Sol Gourmet Restobar
• (0.64 km) Madam Deysit
• (0.67 km) Quadrato Pizza
• (0.64 km) Mu Grill House

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CHILE – Mining in the Atacama desert at Chuquicamata mine and Humberstone

Wow! That’s a huge big hole in the earth there in North Chile! We don’t have mountains in the Netherlands, but we don’t have these pits either so it was an amazing experience to see. After my recent trip in the Atacama Desert around San Pedro de Atacama I had the opportunity to see a bit more of the mining activities in North Chile.

I drove from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama to see the Chuquicamata mine, the largest open-pit mine in the world. From there I drove to Iquique to visit Humberstone & Santa Laura Saltpeter Works which are ghost towns in the desert. Well worth the 3 days side trip and that’s why I added them in my 10-14 days Chile itinerary . Read on for my experience and check the gallery for an impression of the places.

Calama and the Chuquicamata mine

The Chuquicamata mine is located just a few kilometers out of Calama city. Due to security and safety reasons it is not possible to visit the Chuquicamata mine on your own. The mine is owned by Codelco and you have to apply for a visit with them. You can do this by email through [email protected] or by phone if you speak Spanish +56 55 322122 – I don’t.

Wow! That’s a huge big hole in the earth there in North Chile!

I like to plan well ahead and had sent Codelco an email two or three months before: not working, no answer. You can apply approximate a week before your visit and you have to re-confirm your spot on the tour the day before the visit. The tour runs around lunch time every business day and takes up to two or three hours. There are only so many spots to fill a bus, so you might want to keep in mind that the day you want to go might not be possible. The tour itself is free of charge but you can make a donation for charity.

After a great long sleep at the Sonesta hotel in Calama I decided to head first to Chiu Chiu a small town just out of Calama. Here you find a great small church called the San Francisco Church which is one of the oldest in Chile. There is a small nice lake nearby to have a drink and enjoy the sun a bit. From there I headed back to Calama to the tour office of Codelco to get on the tour for the Chuquicamata mine.

At the Codelco office my name was checked, ID written down, security fest and helmet given to me. Ready, set, go? Yes, but in a slow South American way. We finally arrived at the Chuquicamata town which is completely deserted. This town housed all the workers of the mine until they needed more room for processed rock and the workers were moved to Calama. The town is now half swallowed by the mountains of rock but is now further preserved and kept as an open air museum for future generations. You are allowed to walk around the square, one or two roads to see the empty houses and shops but the rest is off-limits at the time I visited due to safety concerns.

As the last one I got back to the bus and we headed to the actual mine. After a short security check the bus had a go to enter the mine , yes enter the mine! The bus actually drives some hundred meters into the mine over the road the big trucks use to drive the copper ore to the processing plant. There is a look out point where you get about 20 minutes and not more to see the mine and to make photo’s.

The truck takes 50 minutes from the bottom to the top using the same gas your car uses in a full year!

The mine is huge and is the world’s largest open pit mine with a depth of almost a kilometer, over 4 kilometers long and over 3 kilometers wide. Mining activities go back there centuries but only in the 20th century the large scale production of copper started. The mining facilities can produce up to almost a million ton of copper annually. At the moment the pit itself is coming to an end but underground there is much more copper to mine. It is the largest worldwide copper reserve. In the near future the mining activities will go underground which is more clean for the environment due to no more use of trucks. The truck takes 50 minutes from the bottom to the top using the same gas your car uses in a full year!

Back at the Codelco office I quickly headed to my car for a 5-6 hour drive to Iquique . A town at the Chilean coast in the north of Chile. When you arrive to this town you descent quite a lot suddenly as the town is at sea level but around it everything is up the mountain range. That evening I felt my first earthquake which happens quite often in Iquique. I just had a snack at the Holiday Inn Express Iquique as the next day a day trip to Humberstone & Santa Laura Saltpetersworks was on the agenda.

Humberstone & Santa Laura Saltpeterworks

Getting up early is not my thing so I arrived at breakfast 10 minutes before closing. They were out of eggs. I asked them for a fried egg not having them make it again for the buffet but this was not possible. I complained at the duty manager and they filled up the whole buffet again with eggs! Very strange as I asked for just one and there was nobody else anymore to eat the rest.

After breakfast I was on my way to tick off another UNESCO site from my list: the Humberstone & Santa Laura Saltpeter Works. It is a site far away in the Atacama Desert which takes some time to reach if you are not in the region. Once you enter the site you really feel that you are in a ghost town with the strong sandy wind howling through the deserted buildings.

Humberstone and Santa Laura are the remains of two saltpeter mines and their worker towns. They represent various mining towns in the Atacama Desert and function these days as an open air museum. At the end of the 19 th century up to the mid-20 th century these towns were the home of the miners from Chile, Peru and Bolivia . Their social community was based on the pampinos culture with great creativity, solidarity, justice and language. These workers got challenged by the harsh environment of the Atacama Desert while mining the saltpeter for the production of fertilizers. They made it possible for South America but also Europe to fertilize the lands for higher yields in food production.

In Humberstone you can see the workers quarters, the school, an empty rusty swimming pool, the church, hotel, theatre and various other buildings. At the time of visit they were restoring the street with the shops and from what I could see they might restore it a bit too much. I hope they keep the feeling of a rusty ghost town. Many of the workers quarters are not more than ruins inside caused by the harsh environment. Next to the town is the actual mine where you can see the processing plant, the mine shafts and various other buildings. As most were built with metal plates, which get easily rusty and deteriorate quickly in this environment, you see holes everywhere. Remains of trains, cranes and other equipment are on display in and between the buildings. All of Humberstone quickly takes up to 3 or even 4 hours to see if you walk every street like I did. It’s an amazing experience to just stand for 15 minutes listening to nothing more as the howling wind and emptiness.

Once you enter the site you really feel that you are in a ghost town with the strong sandy wind howling through the deserted buildings.

After Humberstone I drove to Santa Laura which has much less structures still standing. After signing the guestbook as the third person that day I checked out the small museum which showed how the people lived there. From the housing is not much left and it was not allowed to enter the plant (anymore) due to deterioration of the structure. Everything at Santa Laura is in much worse condition than Humberstone. After an hour or so I had seen all and I left for Iquique for the night.

In Iquique I decided to not eat again fast food in the hotel. I went to Punta Cavancha an upscale district in Iquique. Here you find lots of hip bars and restaurants. On one of the terraces I had a nice cocktail and went for dinner at El Wagon Restaurant which turned out to be a great affordable choice. I’m a fan of Ceviche (raw seafood mixed with lime and some other ingredients) so I took this as a starter. Almost a full meal already! Good that I had tuna as a main course and not meat. Just over midnight I called it a day so that I could easily catch my flight back to Santiago the next day.

It was the end of my 2 week Chile itinerary . Check out my Chile Travel Guide which lists all my adventures in Chile. If you plan a longer holiday in South America then this Bolivia itinerary might interest you!

Stay tuned for more stories and subscribe to the newsletter or follow CTB on social media ( Facebook , Twitter , Instagram including Instagram stories; on all social media you can find CTB @christravelblog) to get updated information.

Did you visit Humberstone or Chuquicamata too or do you have questions? Please leave a comment at the bottom of the page. Love to hear from you!

Gallery Humberstone & Chuquicamata

Click an image for a full screen gallery of more photos taken during this trip. If you like to use any photo for commercial, private or editorial use please contact first for permission and/or pricing.

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• Destinations
• Atacama Desert & Altiplano
• San Pedro de Atacama

Calama is considered the mining capital of Chile. It is located in the middle of the Atacama desert and is a strategic point to visit San Pedro de Atacama.

Located in the region of Antofagasta , Calama is the capital of the province of Loa. Due to its closeness to several deposits and to Chiquicamata (the world's largest open pit mine), many have called this city "Chile's mining capital".

Part of Bolivia until the War of the Pacific, this is a city where natural beautie and the historical traces of Inca culture combine to create a beautiful scenario. This is a strategic spot to visit the local tourist attractions such as Pukará de Lasana, Tatio Geysers , and San Pedro de Atacama .

Recommendations

We recommend you that you schedule your flight to Calama to arrive in the morning so you are able to participate in the scheduled activities without affecting the itinerary.

This place has a desertic weather and it’s also some meters above sea levels, which means that throughout the year there is a very large temperature oscillation between day and night. The average annual temperature is between 14° C and 3 ° C.

Stores in rural areas are open all day, but they close between 13.00 and 15.00. We advise you to carry local currency (Chilean pesos), since it isn’t possible to pay with debit or credit cards in kiosks and rural stores.

Do not throw garbage on the beaches, parks or streets. To take care of our environment is everyone's responsibility. Avoid fines by following the rules.

Come and discover Calama

Calama travel packages.

Come and discover Calama with our best tour packages

The best of San Pedro de Atacama - Express 4 Days

Come to visit San Pedro de Atacama and its surroundings on one visit 4 days express. You will visit the Valley of the Moon, the salar…

• From CLP $ 386.250 per person
• From US$ 483 per person

Hotels close to Calama

Hotel alto atacama .

San Pedro de Atacama, at 52 mi from Calama

Live the experience at the Alto Atacama, a luxury hotel located just 3 kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama

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Altiplanico San Pedro De Atacama 

San Pedro de Atacama, at 53 mi from Calama

Hotel Altiplanico is a place for reflection where you can experience the immensity of the Atacama Desert. Well located on spacious…

• From CLP $ 120.000
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Hotel La Casa De Don Tomas 

San Pedro de Atacama, at 54 mi from Calama

Here the earth -colors of the world´s driest desert appear like a shimmering mosaic. The shining green of the valley cuts trough the…

• From US$ 159

Hotel Kimal 

Among the diverse land formations of this desert there is a labyrinth of adobe and volcanic stone structures called the Kimal Hotel.…

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Cumbres San Pedro De Atacama 

Cumbres Hotel & Spa in San Pedro de Atacama, has changed our perception of the desert. A large citadel has arisen under the watchful…

• From CLP $ 250.852
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Hotel Poblado Kimal 

Poblado Kimal is located in a shady orchard, in the historical centre of San Pedro de Atacama which is an ancient oasis town. This…

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• From US$ 190

Terrantai Lodge Andino 

Hotel Terrantai, which resembles the typical andean arquitecture.

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Hotel Tierra Atacama 

We invite you to admire the native beauty and local identity of the most arid desert in the world with Tierra Atacama, an all-inclusive…

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Articles about Calama

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Mina de Chuquicamata

Explore near Mina de Chuquicamata: Where to Stay, Eat, and Visit

Mina de chuquicamata reviews: insider insights and visitor experiences.

Still Closed as of Mid Feb

Following last review we went to the Tour Booking Office (corner of Granaderos / Central Sur) today. It was shut but there was a lady unloading stuff who told us that the tours still are not happening...

Tours available again in January 2023

We went to the office today (29 December) to visit the mine on a tour (as described in the other reviews). The office is there but they told us they will only start the tours again in January, we are ...

Mine visit timetable

To our disappointment, the mine visits no take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays only. The email [email protected] is no longer monitored.

None. No tour took place

We booked this in November 2019 and turned up having planned our schedule around visiting the mine, only to be told that the tour was not taking place due to ‘operational problems’. This also happene...

Totally unrealistic and free

The tour starts at 1pm at the office of the mines in Calama. You should boom the tour in advance (at least 1 week in high season). You are equipped and then a bus takes you to the mines and guides you...

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Calama – Where the Copper Meets the Dust

Author: ilovechile

Date: 28.09.2019

Category: Travel in Chile

The Chilean Calama dwelled on the north bank of Río Loa, the longest river in the country, is not the typical touristic spot, but it is a very welcoming and economically rich city.

We’ve tried to gather all the essential information about the place and present it to you in the following article! So, read on.

Table of Contents

What does the name of the city mean?

According to the world-known Chilean-French literary critic, Emilio Vaïsse, the name of Calama originates from “Ckara-ama” meaning “a place where partridges abound”.

Moreover,   “Ckara-ama” comes from the Kunza (or Cunza, Atacameño ,  Likanantaí, Lipe, Ulipe) – an extinct language once spoken from the Chileans in the Atacama desert.

What is the population of Calama?

Calama has a population of about 180 000 (2017) which has increased by almost 60 000 since 2002. As a key reason for that is considered the copper manufacture in the region which makes it one of the wealthiest in Chile.

Where is Calama located?

The city is located in the Atacama , the driest desert on Earth, in the northern part of Chile. Moreover, Calama is the capital of El Loa – one of the three provinces in this Chilean region.

Being in the area, you can easily combine your stay in Calama with a visit to the otherworldly San Pedro de Atacama, just an hour and a half away by car or bus.

How to get there?

The nearest airport, called El Loa Airport, happens to be one of the largest airports in the Latin country. It’s just outside Calama, less than 10 km away from the city centre. 

A side note: The El Loa Airport caters flights from/to Lima (Peru) as well as from/to Santiago de Chile so you keep that in mind while planning your trip around Chile.

How does public transport work in Calama?

If you fly to El Loa Airport and need to move to the city centre, there are several options for transportation to choose from.

Once you arrive, there will be a flock of private cabs on the main entrance. They will charge you CH$ 5500 – 6000 to the centre of Calama.

The minibus tours cost almost twice cheaper (CH$ 3500 per person) and will drop you straight to your hotel’s door.

If your plan doesn’t include a night in Calama and you go directly to San Pedro de Atacama, the private taxi will charge you CH$ 35 000 more or less.

There is a second option – book a bus transfer booked in advance (the most popular choice is Transfer Lincancabur  company). That would cost CH$ 15 000 – 22 000. 

If you need some additional help – let us know in the comment box below the article! 

TOP 3 Attractions to visit in Calama

1. an organized tour to mina de chuquicamata.

Even though the ghostly Chuquicamata copper mine (also known as “Chuqui”) doesn’t function today, it is the largest open-pit copper mine on Earth. It’s dwelled just outside the city of Calama at 2 850 m above sea level.

Most of the tour time is usually spent in the abandoned town of Chuquicamata, which used to house the miners in the past. It is now deserted (that’s why we called it “ghostly”) due to the fact many of the workers developed lung conditions. Thus, locals are banned from living within 10 km of Mina de Chuquicamata.

2. A day trip to Pukará de Lasana

If you’re renting a car while in Chile, we’d suggest visiting the national monument Pukará de Lasana – a pre-Columbian fortress built in the 12th century. The dwellings range in size and design, but the majority had silos for storing food like corn and meat.

The fortress is located in the village of Lasana, about 40 km away from Calama.

3. A hike to La Poruna volcano

For the hiking enthusiasts, we’d highly recommend taking a dusty walk to the volcano La Poruna as even though it is just 590 ft high it is settled at an altitude of over 12 000 feet.

The hike offers amazing views and a chance to escape from the crowd as La Poruna is not the most touristic place in this region of Chile.

However, arm yourself with enough water and a pair of gloves as it gets pretty steep and rocky at some point. 

Is there anything else we are missing? Let us know in the section below! 🙂

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10 Things to Do in Calama Chile

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Visit Chile: My hometown Calama

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There’s much more to Chile than what you read in the guide books. We want to share a little bit of the hidden Chile with you, including real tips from real people. So we’re taking a peep into the hometowns of the Cascada Expediciones’ staff. Our staff come from all over this rich and varied country, from Patagonia in the deep south to the Atacama Desert in the far north, so who better to ask for recommendations when visiting Chile? 

1. Where is your hometown?

I was born in Calama, a city in the Atacama Desert in the north of Chile, only an hour and a half away from the city of San Pedro de Atacama.

2. Tell us a bit about it!

Calama started out as a small city but it’s gradually getting bigger. I’m not sure of the exact history, but it more or less first came about as a kind of inn or waystation since it was at a crossroads of two Inca trails, and then it really developed with the arrival of the Spanish colonists.  

Along the years it’s kept growing because it’s very near to the largest open-pit mine in the world, called Chuquicamata. 2007 was an important year for Calama because the Chuquicamata mining camps closed and all of the workers and their families were moved to Calama city, where a kind of satellite town was built outside of the city (about 10 to 15 minutes away) and houses were given to all contract workers as part of the move. This move was made because the mine was getting bigger and eating up the land where the workers used to live.

3. What’s the best thing about living there?

The best thing about the city is definitely the evenings, the way you can see the stars and the moon in the very clear, dark nights. If there’s anywhere in the world that I can really relax and completely clear my mind, that’s the place... at the end of the day, home is where the heart is.

4. What are the top attractions in your hometown?

The important thing to remember when visiting this part of Chile is that you have to like deserts if you’re going to like Calama. The vast majority of Chileans, for example, are used to green cities, and in Calama everything is very dry and it’s really more of a working city than a tourist city.

But the area around Calama ...that’s something else entirely! For me, you really shouldn’t miss out on a tour of the Chuquicamata mine since it’s the best way to learn all about the story of copper mining, which is the main pillar of the Chilean economy.

It’s probably something you’d only want to do once, but if you’re interested in the culture of the country and you want to understand its current circumstances I’d 100% recommend it. Not to mention the fact that it’s the biggest open-pit mine in the world. 

If you’ve got time I’d also recommend a visit to an underground mine because it’s like visiting another planet... unless you get claustrophobic of course!

The region’s best and biggest attraction is undoubtedly San Pedro de Atacama , a town in Chile’s high Andean plateau where you can see people who still live a traditional way of life strolling through the streets and you can visit the museum in the centre of the city to see ancient mummies from the region in an extremely well preserved state.

I’d recommend you visit the Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) and if you can be flexible with your dates make sure you arrange it so that you’ll be there on a night with a full moon; it’s an extraordinary adventure and you’ll never forget it.

Next to the Valle de la Luna is the Valle de la Muerte (Valley of Death!), which is the perfect place for adventure sports enthusiasts... and even beginners can have a go at sandboarding. It is really tiring but if you manage to stand up and sandboard just once it’s worth all the effort. 

*Insider tip: Bear in mind that you will end up with sand everywhere! And if you can, take along someone who’s more into watching than taking part, that way they can stay at the bottom of the sand dunes taking some great photos of you in action! 

The Tatio Geysers , Pucarás (the ruins of earthen fortresses built by the indigenous Andean people), altiplanic lakes...etc are some of the other major attractions that you could visit.

Those of us who live close to the Pozo 3 natural springs go there to enjoy this great attraction in summer (to take a dip and escape the heat) and it’s really a perfect place to switch off.

Best of all is the vibe that you get at night, which is both bohemian and rural at the same time . I’d recommend that you go to relax on the beach there and watch the people coming and going, there are lots of young people working there who speak great English and have decided to live there because of the pace of life and their daily contact with tourists. They’d be happy to answer any questions you have about places to visit or any tips you might need. 

5. Does your hometown have a special regional dish that you enjoy?

Personally, I absolutely love Calameñan sweetcorn. It’s whiter in colour and softer than regular sweetcorn... it’s amazing and really moreish!

6. Are there any special carnivals in your hometown?

Well one of the better known carnivals is the Our Lady of Guadalupe of Ayquina Festival, a religious festival which is actually even more well-known that the Carnival in San Pedro de Atacama. The village of Ayquina is around 70 kilometres (44 miles) from Calama and throughout the first days of September you’ll see a large number of people (pilgrims) walking towards Ayquina.  

The celebration has pre-hispanic roots related to the fertility of the Earth. It’s a festival that is mingled with the celebration of the apparition of the Virgen of Guadalupe who, according to tradition, appeared to a boy in the Tiara region.

7. Where’s your favourite place to eat in your hometown?

I don’t think there’s anywhere in Calama itself that serves regional dishes, so what I’d recommend is that you travel to San Francisco de Chiu Chiu around 30 to 40 minutes from Calama. It’s a small village with a river running through it and its own vegetable gardens, just imagine eating vegetables harvested from the driest desert in the world! That really is an experience! Near to the main square you’ll find restaurants, I think there are about four of them and they’re really very good.

What I recommend you try are obviously the traditional regional dishes like patasca (a stew made from corn, potatoes, vegetables and meat), a barbeque of grilled llama meat and river trout (unmissable!).

When you’re done eating you can go and visit the church in the town, which is one of the oldest in the whole of Chile.

8. What do people do on the weekend in your hometown?

Since the city is in the middle of the desert we don’t have many parks or a beach to go to but there are some options. Normally people go to El Loa Park which is a pretty park in the Calameñan style and it’s where most of the main activities take place, such as El Loa Province Festival, El Loa Jazz Festival, Calama’s Anniversary Festival and the Chilean Independence Celebrations.  

The park also has games for children, a lookout tower inspired by the Pucará (a pre-hispanic culture from the region) and handicraft shops. It’s also home to the city’s Archaeological and Ethnological Museum.

9. If you could describe your hometown in one word, what would it be?

10. What’s the weather like in your hometown?

I think it’s great! The climate is really dry and the best thing is sitting outside in the middle of the day enjoying the sun, but the nights on the other hand can be really cold so it can be tricky to decide what to wear!  

You might go out to work in the morning with your coat, gloves, scarf and everything covered up but by midday you’ll see that it can get up to 30°C (86°F) and then at night the temperature drops again and can dip below zero. In September we get a lot of wind that picks up sand from the desert and then in summer we get what’s called a “Bolivian Winter” where rain storms come over from Bolivia. My essential top tip no matter what time of year you visit is to use a lip protecting cream or salve as your skin can get very dry.

11. If I visited your hometown for a day, where would we go and what would we do?

Well I’d recommend that we go for a tour of the Chuquicamata mine and then go for a bite to eat in San Francisco de Chiu Chiu before taking a walk in Loa park. Obviously you’ll then want to travel on to San Pedro de Atacama.

12. Tell us one thing about your town that most people don’t know!

The Calama region and the surrounding areas used to be part of Bolivia!

Thanks to Lorena for her spectacularly detailed report of life in Calama! Check out Cascada’s tours in the Atacama and Altiplano to experience some of these highlights for yourself. Look out for future articles in this blog series, from our Cascada Expediciones team!  

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Chile Announces the Creation of Desierto Florido national park

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Updated October 4th, 2022

Dear Traveler,

We are very happy to announce that there are currently no travel restrictions in Chile. Together with the above mentioned, it is mandatory to comply with the following requirements:

• You only have to present the vaccination certificate issued in your country when boarding to Chile. Those who do not have their vaccinations must present a negative result in a PCR test dated less than 48 hours from departure to enter Chile. Those who are under 18 years of age do not have any requirements to enter Chile
• A negative PCR upon arrival is not compulsory any more but diagnostic tests will be carried out randomly at the entry point to Chile. Confirmed cases shall be isolated according to the general health regulations.
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Codelco Visitor Office - Chuquicamata Mine | Tourist Attraction

Warning: this place is permanently closed.

Something not right?

Description.

Codelco Visitor Office - For Tours Of Chuquicamata Mine. This is the meeting place for tours of the world's largest open pit copper mine, run by the state-owned Codelco. To reserve, email [email protected] [Note: currently not working]. Tours are free. They are held at 1pm weekdays [Note: Currently Tuesdays and Thursdays only]. A bus takes the tour group to Chuquicamata, the town where workers used to live, and to the mine itself. Then the bus drops you off back in Calama at 4:30. There is secure parking for your rig. The Codelco Norte visitor office is on the north side of Calama, at the junction of Central Sur and Granaderos. This should not be confused with the Codelco Norte headquarters building opposite the Calama Plaza Mall on Balmaceda.

Why? By checking in after you’ve visited a place you let others know this place is still functional. You can also add or correct any information.

Latest Check-Ins

Still the same. Office closed, no tours at the moment.

Tourist visits are still suspended. The guard at the entrance said they don’t know when/if it will reopen…

I did not get an email answer the whole day but I showed up. completely closed at the moment as for the corona virus situation. I specifically asked if they open again if this is over and he said yes, there is no other reason for a closure (such as protests or operation in the mine)

The tours are now on Tuesdays and Thursdays only, still starting at 1pm. They say there are some problems with the email, indeed I never got a reply. They take 48 people on the tour. For the time being best to go there in person to reserve your spot or add to wait list. Wear long sleeves and long pants if you want to go on the tour and bring some water.

Still suspended due to the Chilean instability just now. I emailed [email protected] and received a very quick (probably auto reply) from Renato. Disappointing but c'est la vie.

No tour since the Chilean crisis started in October. For security reason. They can’t tell when it will start again. Email first or phone. See other comments for details.

Visit to the mine have been temporary suspended.

we called at 9am Monday morning and we put on the waiting list. We got on the tour. Bus is comfortable and air conditioned. Bring water and snacks. Must wear long sleeves and long pants. Hard hat and vest provided.

we were lucky to get a spot but we also called them at 9am (when they open) to put us on the waiting list for the same day. Seems like there are always people canceling their reservation. this time there were quite a few people from the waiting list that got a seat. I would say just try and you might be lucky

Warning ! No place for visiting the place before february !

Attention il n’y a pas de place avant février pour visiter la mine. Il y a une liste d’attente. Nous avons essayé mais en cette période de vacances il y a beaucoup de monde sur les listes d’attente ! Et du coup aujourd’hui nous n’avons pas pu visiter ! Faut tenter sa chance mais sans trop espérer !

Visitação suspensa em chuquicamata por motivos operacionais,atendente é oficial da segurança muito amáveis

Really recommended free tour with Spanish-English speaking guide. In my understanding they do not just say nice things about their company -it's a state company and we only heard about its history and functioning, no marketing speech. Very interesting ghost town and impressive copper mine with its massive machinery and industrial buildings. Free secure parking at the offices. Indeed recommended to book tour 2-3 days ahead or call during the morning to see if there's space for the same day. . Tour gratuito y muy recomendable con guía hispano- y angloparlante. A mi entender no dicen sólo cosas bonitas de la empresa -después de todo es una empresa estatal y sólo nos hablaron de su historia y funcionamiento, nada de discursos marketineros. Ciudad fantasma muy interesante e impresionante mina de cobre con su maquinaria y plantas de procesamiento masivos. Estacionamiento gratuito en las oficinas. Efectivamente se recomienda reservar con 2-3 días de anticipación o llamar durante la mañana por si hay espacio para el mismo día.

Hello This. is the place to visit in Calama. Great an interesting afternoon in family. It's free but you can give a tip for an association of sick children. Take car, they don't take children under 7 years old. With our truck we have sleep to "Extraccion camping" The bus wasn't full, and we have make our reservation by mail the day before. Phone: +56552322122

Very interessting tour for free! we didn’t had a reservations so we wrote a email one day before so we were on the waiting list and had to be at the starting point at 13.00! We had luck and could do the tour! They said that almost every day people didn’t confirm their reservation so that a few places are left! So try it the same way if you don’t have a reservation! the mine overground will operate only till the end 2018 then they start underground...don’t know if they still do the tours in 2019? they have a secure parkplace with fence for free! absolutely recommended!!!

If you want to visit the mine you have to came to the place, or you make a reservation on the internet. It very interesting and for free.

Visits are again suspended. Don't know for how long. 😕

really interesting free tour. secure parking with guard and fences. reserve some days ahead.

The tours are available again. If you are not flexible timewise it is recommended to book well ahead. We wanted to book a week later and were already on a waiting list

Good news: it is open for tours. All the previous information is still correct. We were very lucky to show up at noon and because of cancellations could join the tour. Not everybody on the waiting list was as fortunate as we were and had to go back without a tour. So if you can plan your visit, please make a reservation to avoid disappointment by emailing or calling them.

As of today they are open.

although Internet said that they start tours as from September, the office was still closed

Still no tour

stiil closed, a sign says no tours anymore for operational reasons.

Closed at the moment. Tours will start again at may, 2nd

not open in March

depart pour visite mine : syndicat N 2 av granadero

it's a good Tour, guarded parking for tour member behind the office possible.

Correct e-mail address is: [email protected]

This is the meeting place for tours of the world's largest open pit copper mine, run by the state-owned Codelco. To reserve, email [email protected] . Tours are free. They are held at 1pm weekdays. A bus takes the tour group to Chuquicamata, the town where workers used to live, and to the mine itself. Then the bus drops you off back in Calama at 4:30. There is secure parking for your rig. We emailed and were told the tour for the day we wanted was full. But when we showed up, it turned out there were cancellations and we were able to join the tour that day. The Codelco Norte visitor office is on the north side of Calama, at the junction of Central Sur and Granaderos. This should not be confused with the Codelco Norte headquarters building opposite the Calama Plaza Mall on Balmaceda.

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Mina de Chuquicamata

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