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© Valeria Heindl

Salar de Atacama

-23.37257 , -68.13956

Chile

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The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Valeria Heindl : -23.3726/-68.1396 (2023-10-31 20:37:22 )

Site name was set by Valeria Heindl as "Salar De Atacama" (2023-10-31 20:37:22 )

Not available yet

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Crested Duck (Lophonetta specularioides)
Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis)
Andean Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus)
James's Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi)
Puna Plover (Anarhynchus alticola)
Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor)
Stilt Sandpiper (Calidris himantopus)
Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii)
Blue-and-white Swallow (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca)

Stilt Sandpiper (Calidris himantopus) was added by Valeria Heindl (2024-12-16 22:24:44)

Blue-and-white Swallow (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca) was added by Valeria Heindl (2024-12-16 22:23:58)

Crested Duck (Lophonetta specularioides) was added by Valeria Heindl (2024-12-16 22:23:25)

Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) was added by Valeria Heindl (2024-12-16 22:23:07)

Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii) was added by Valeria Heindl (2024-12-16 22:22:57)

Andean Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus) was added by Valeria Heindl (2024-12-16 22:22:32)

James's Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi) was added by Valeria Heindl (2024-12-16 22:22:17)

Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) was added by Valeria Heindl (2024-12-16 22:22:03)

Puna Plover (Anarhynchus alticola) was added by Valeria Heindl (2024-12-16 22:21:40)

  • Timing and strategy

Best season is spring/summer, September to March.

Mornings are quieter but the light is not the best. There are more visitors in the afternoon, but the light is fantastic for photography! It is also more windy in the afternoon.

1.5 to 2 hours are needed to visit the park.

There is a trail in the park which you have to follow during your visit. There are park rangers at the site that provide information about the flamingos but only in Spanish.

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-06 11:06
Best season is spring/summer, September to March. Mornings are quieter but the light is not the best. There are more visitors in the afternoon, but the light is fantastic for photography!. It photography! It is also more windy in the afternoon. 1.5 to 2 hours are needed to visit the park. There is a trail in the park which you have to follow during your visit. There are park rangers at the site that provide information about the flamingos but only in Spanish.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-10-03 05:19
Best season is srping'summer, Spetember spring/summer, September to March. Mornings are more quiet quieter but the light is not the best. There are more visitors in the afternoon, but the light is fantastic for photography!. It is also more windy in the afternoon. 1.5 to 2 hs hours are needed to visit the park. There is a trail in the park which you hahve have to follow during your visit. There is are park ranger in rangers at the site that provvide provide information about the flamingos but only in Spanish.
Edited by Valeria Heindl on 2024-12-16 22:27
Best season is srping'summer, Spetember to March. Mornings are more quiet but the light is not the best. There are more visitors in the afternoon, but the light is fantastic for photography!. It is also more windy in the afternoon. 1.5 to 2 hs to visit the park. There is a trail in the park which you hahve to follow during your visit. There is park ranger in the site that provvide information about the flamingos but only in Spanish.
  • How to get there

Head south from San Pedro de Atacama towards Toconao. Outside Toconao you will find the road sign to Laguna Chaxa. It's a 50 minutes drive from San Pedro.

You can get here by car, or on a tour. There's public transportation from San Pedro to Toconao only.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-10-03 05:20
Head south from San Pedro de Atacama direction towards Toconao. Outside Toconao you will find the road sign to Laguna Chaxa. It's a 50 minutes drive from San Pedro. You can get here by car, or on a tour. There's public trasnportation transportation from San Pedro to Toconao only.
Edited by Valeria Heindl on 2024-12-16 22:30
Head south from San Pedro de Atacama direction Toconao. Outside Toconao you will find the road sign to Laguna Chaxa. It's a 50 minutes drive from San Pedro. You can get here by car, or on a tour. There's public trasnportation from San Pedro to Toconao only.

Tickets must be bought in advance at punto ticket web page/laguna chaxa.

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Valeria Heindl on 2024-12-16 22:28
Tickets must be bought in advance at punto ticket web page/laguna chaxa.
  • Other attractions

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Not available yet

There's restrooms, an information center and a common area for shade.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Valeria Heindl on 2024-12-16 22:27
There's restrooms, an information center and a common area for shade.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Not available yet
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

Local guides

Gallery

Reports

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Species:
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Salar de Atacama - Orniverse