Are you a traveller always on the lookout for new places to explore? That’s exactly what we’re here for! We bring you another exciting destination that will leave you amazed with its unique facts and stunning landscapes. This time, we’re talking about the Atacama Desert in Chile, a must-add to your travel list! Scroll down to know why!
What Makes Atacama Desert In Chile Special?
The Atacama Desert, the driest non-polar desert on Earth, is in northern Chile, South America. This vast, barren land stretches over 40,000 square miles. Rainfall here is extremely rare—some areas get less than 0.12 inches (3 mm) a year. This desert is known for its unique, hardy plants that survive extreme dryness. Cacti, shrubs, and other species can grow here despite almost no rain. After rare rainfall, the desert blooms in bright colours—a sight you’ll definitely love to see, which happens once every few years.
Life in the Atacama mostly centres around salt flats, lagoons, and wetlands. You can spot pink flamingos, vicuñas, guanacos, and even llamas near these water sources. Birds and animals here have adapted to the harsh desert climate.
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No Fear Of Drowning
In Chile’s Atacama Desert, lagoons like Lagunas Escondidas de Baltinache and Laguna Cejar let you float effortlessly due to their extreme salt concentration, even higher than the Dead Sea. The dense, salty water gives incredible buoyancy, making it nearly impossible to sink. Visitors can relax and float naturally, but should rinse off in showers afterwards, as the salt can sting cuts, and swimming is tricky due to the water’s thickness.
What makes the Atacama Desert truly extraordinary are its pink lakes. Near San Pedro de Atacama, lagoons like Laguna Colorada and those in the Maricunga Salt Flats glow pink from algae and minerals, attracting flamingos.
Next time, when you’re planning a vacation that’s truly out of the box, don’t forget to add this desert destination to your itinerary!
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Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/ Marek Piwnicki