From Wikitravel

Calama is in the region of Antofagasta in northern Chile.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By Bus

There are frequent bus connections to Antofagasta (2 hours).

[edit] By Train

If the nearby salt plains appeal, take the 3 or 4 day train ride to Bolivia (bring warm clothes!). The amazing train is essentially a cargo train that carries a handful of Bolivian peasants between the coast and the altiplano, but it provides an incredible vista.

The train to Bolivia runs 2 times a week. Visit FCA's (Ferro Carril Andino) web site for information on schedules and fees.

As of June 2009, the train service no longer runs to Ollague. However, there there are bus services to Ollague (the Chilean-Bolivian border) for around 4,000 Pesos. Try the bus service 'Frontera Norte'

Edited info: This train service has stpped. There are no trains from Bolivia to Calama Chile. The FCA website takes you to train service from Lima to Huamcayo in Peru.

[edit] Get around

Calama is not large, but there is not so much to do, so one is likely to take buses or collectivos (shared taxis, that run specific routes) both fairly cheap.

[edit][add listing] See

Get a taxi in the city centre to Chuquicamata. It is an enormous mine open to the sky. There is a free tour to the mine, its worth visiting.

[edit][add listing] Do

There's a small amusement park for children off the main square in town.

And you can go to the mall. There's a movie theater there, but be warned, all the movies are in Spanish.

Rent a 4x4 truck and go see Chiu-Chiu, Lasana, and the geysers de Tatio. For around 40,000 pesos, you can rent a 4x4 truck. Chiu-Chiu is about 35km North-East of Calama. There are intresting ruins, a lagoon, and some old churches. Lasana is a beautiful canyon winding through the desert. It's green and really different. Then, a several hour drive across the salt flats and through some VERY rugged roads brings you to the Geysers of Tatio. If you camp on the NORTH side of the geysers, and come down in the morning, you can get in for free (otherwise around 16,000 for a truck and four people). The geysers are at about 4,200 meters, and you hit abou 4,700 meters coming in from the north. In May it was VERY cold (our water bottles froze that night solid). A very cool experience.

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Get out

San Pedro de Atacama is two hours away by bus.

This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!