we went for christmas new year to san pedro and stayed for 2 weeks travelling around. it's far and expensive to get there. san pedro is Cute anc very international.
we stay at don thomas hotel. ok but really expensive. very nice people.
I would not recommend the trip to people who have altitude sickness. ANd not really to world travellers who have been to UTAH deserts, grand canyon, Petra jordan, egypt , israel dead's sea. If you want to go far go first to easter Island. But again...Atacama is special in certain ways.

Our trip to the Atacama Desert last year was one of several amazing trips we have made to South America in the past few years. We always book through a company called Optimundo, which organises a first class tailor-made holiday. We flew from Santiago to Calama and were met by a guide, who drove us to our fabulous hotel, Kunza, on the outskirts of San Pedro de Atacama. The facilities were excellent - best thing the private outdoor shower, very welcome after a hot day under the Chilean desert sun. Optimundo negotiated a good all-in package at the hotel,which included food, drink, excursions and then arranged a hire car to be dropped off for us at the hotel to continue our journey over Paso de Hama into Argentina.

Earlier this month I spent a week at the Atacama desert in Chile.It is a wonderful experience.
You fly from Santiago to Calama, and then the hotel car picks you up, and drives you to San Pedro de Atacama.The hotel Explora is simply fantastic.A beautiful building that blends perfectly into the environment, with all possible comforts, good service, well organized programs, and excellent food.Open bar with a variety of drinks including superb Chilean wines.
The area is incredible.It is supposed to be the dryest desert on earth, but nevertheless contains an unexpected wealth of animal life and exotic vegetation.The lunar landscape is impressive, with dry hills, very good for the long walks proposed by the hotel, under expert guidance.You also see huge "salares"-stretches of salt- with hordes of flamingoes and other birds.
Incredible geysers, and volcanos, most active.There are beaurtiful warm sources at Puritama where you can swim at an altitude of 3,400 meters(the water bubbles at 36 celsius, very pleasant inside, somewhat cold when you leave).
The little villages around are pretty, with lovely old churches, very simple, built with cactus wood.And in San Pedro you will find cozy bars and restaurants and a lively night life with a very young crowd of tourist from all over the world.The local inhabitants are friendly and hospitable, very proud of their indian heritage.
All in all , an unforgettable experience, at an unusual place