Pozo Almonte, city in Chile
Pozo Almonte is a city in the Pampa del Tamarugal plain in northern Chile, in the Tarapacá region. Its streets are flat and wide, lined with low, single-story buildings, set in a dry landscape under open skies.
The city grew in the late 19th century as a supply hub for the saltpeter mining operations that dominated the surrounding desert. When the saltpeter industry collapsed in the 20th century, the town shrank but survived as an administrative center for the region.
Every July, the nearby village of La Tirana fills with pilgrims who come to honor the Virgin of Carmen in one of Chile's largest religious festivals. Dancers in decorated costumes perform traditional dances in the streets, reflecting a mix of Andean, Spanish, and African roots.
A private vehicle makes it much easier to reach the salt flats, geoglyphs, and former mining sites scattered around the area. The main street, Comercio, has basic hotels and local restaurants where you can eat and ask for directions.
The Tamarugo tree, which grows in the Reserva Nacional Pampa del Tamarugal, is one of the few plants in the world that can survive in the Atacama desert without rain by tapping water deep underground. This tree gave its name to the entire plain surrounding the city.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
