Cheap flights to Calama airport

Discover Calama

Located in the middle of the desert in one of the driest regions on the planet, at first glance dusty Calama in Northern Chile may seem to offer little for travellers. Calama has always been famous for one thing and one thing only: copper mining. Reminders of that heritage can be seen everywhere, from the copper statues to the copper spire of the cathedral. However, this city is also a useful base for exploring Northern Chile, which offers incredible cultural attractions and some of the most beautiful and surreal landscapes on the planet. With Skyscanner's monthly search feature you can find the best time of the year to fly to Calama.

Best Time to Book a Flight to Calama

Calama is located in the Atacama Desert, the driest region on Earth, and sees very little rain, so you needn't worry about your vacation getting washed out. Because it is fairly close to the equator, temperatures are mostly consistent throughout the year as well. Ranging from the low 20s from June to August (that being winter in the Southern Hemisphere) to the high 20s and low 30s during the rest of the year. However, at night temperatures can get downright cold and regularly dip below freezing from June to August. Any time of the year presents a good opportunity for visiting Calama

Airlines that Fly to Calama Airport

Only two airlines, LATAM Chile and Sky Airlines, currently serve Calama Airport. However, despite the lack of airlines this is one of the busiest airports in the country. Flights to Santiago are particularly common, making flying to Calama from most destinations in the world surprisingly easy.

What to Expect at the Airport

Calama Airport is a modern facility with the passenger terminal having been completed in 2014. The easiest way to get from the airport to anywhere in the city is via taxi. The taxi stand is located at the exit of the arrivals hall. You can also rent a car at the airport,  which may be an especially good idea if you want to visit some of the more out-of-the-way sights that the Atacama Desert has to offer. Although be careful about travelling down dirt roads, as it may be a long time before somebody will come by to rescue you if you run into trouble.

What to See and Do in Calama

Calama itself doesn't have much for travellers, although the central square is pleasant and nice for a stroll. The city is a great base for exploring the many attractions that the larger region has on offer. You can book a guided tour in English and Spanish to Chuquicamata, the world's largest open-pit copper mine and the very reason for Calama's existence. San Pedro de Atacama is one of Chile's most popular tourist destinations and located an hour and a half by bus from Calama. This small town features beautifully preserved colonial architecture and is surrounded by a stunning landscape of desert and volcanoes. Because the Atacama Desert is so dry, it is widely considered the best place in the world for stargazing. A number of star tours can be found both in Calama and San Pedro. With Skyscanner's hotel search tool you can easily find a place to stay either in Calama itself or the wider region.