Been exposed to importants atmospheric pressure changing can cause nasty discomfort, like hard head pain, maybe nausea and vomit.
Think that almost all the excursions that San Pedro de Atacama offers are tours to the altiplano over 4000mts. Also when you arrived by airplane the altitude at Calama city is 2200mts. and at San Pedro de Atacama is 2450mts.
Consider the following recommendations before travelling to the altitude:

1.- If you suffer of weak heart, high pressure or obesity, ask your doctor first.
2.- Do not eat heavy food before going to the height, like meat and frieds.
3.- Take enough water.
4.- For drinking avoid soft drinks with sugar.
5.-A nice medicine to prevent is the aspirine.
6.- Do not drink alcohol.

The geographic and atmosphere conditions in San Pedro de Atacama and the surroundings are extremes, so who visit this land will feel big changes of extreme temperatures between day and night, very dry air and significant altitude. This conditions increase during the touristic activities of the zone, specially on a trip to the altiplano.
Consider the following recommendations for the travel to San Pedro de Atacama and for some excursions:

1.- To have good health.
2.- Do not expose directly to the sun for too long.
3.- To drink enough water.
4.- Start with easy excursions.
5.- Before doing a hard excursion think if you can do it.
6.- For emergency cases San Pedro has a primary urgency dispensary. For extreme cases is obligated to go to a near hospital at Calama city. The dispensary count with a moderm ambulance for transfer to the city.

In San Pedro de Atacama does not exist great variety of medicines, always is necessary to go to Calama for it. San Pedro village count with a small pharmacy and some stores sell basic medicines. Also at the dispensary you can find medicines. Without doubt we recommend you to buy before some of the main medicines for:

1.- First aids.
2.- Stomach problems.
3.- Head pains and nausea.
4.- Sun burns.
5.- Humectant creams.
6.- Drink water.
7.- Eyes irritation.
8.- Muscle articulates pain

In San Pedro de Atacama does not exist banks, but for chilean citizenship, once a week (Thursday), the Banco del Estado de Chile attend. For money advances does exist one red bank A.T. machine available for Maestro and Cirrus technology for all national and international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Dinner club, American express). The demand of this A.T. machine are high, so sometimes does not have cash available. At some tourism agencies, hotels, restaurants and handicraft stores you can pay with credit card. For to exchange money you have a money exchange house and also at some stores you can change american dolars and euros. You also can change personal travelers checks with your passport or I.D. However we recommend you:

1. To bring enough cash.
2. Good state of the american dolars for to exchange.
3. Go to Calama city if you do not find cash in San Pedro de Atacama.

The touristic offer that San Pedro de Atacama promise is very extended. For the excursions and lodging you will find differents prices and qualities. The tourism agencies that you have in San Pedro de Atacama have departures everyday of the year for the circuits to: Moon Valley, Tatio Geyser, Atacama Salt Flat, Uyuni Salt Flat and the Altiplanic Lagoons. This services are most of the time in vehicles for 10 or more paxes with chronometated times. For special tours does exist offers depending of the amount of persons. Also you can find private services of different prices and qualities. If you come in your own vehicle is possible the services of particular guides (in english, french, german). Before buying your touristic offer, we recommend you the following:

1.- Think well about the tours they offer you and write down what they sell you.
2.- Before going inside a touristic vehicle make sure that is at good conditions.
3.- Ask the person who sell you what will you need for the tour.
4.- Ask for a bill and give your personnel details. Can be used in case of an accident.

San Pedro de Atacama has a clear climate almost the whole year with strong radiation during the day. However is under the influence of the climate type called height marginal desert. This kind of climate you can find it over the 2000mts. altitude, because of this, the temperatures are more attenuated presenting an annual media of 13 celsius degrees. The main characteristic is the big thermic osillation between day and night. In summer time (December to March) you have the highest temperatures over 30 celsius degrees during the day and 5 celsius degrees by night. On this season you have the altiplanic winter with some rain coming from the tropical jungle. In winter time (April to August) you have freezen nights and easyly the temperature go below zero. For the trips to the altiplano going over 4000 mts. altitude, the temperatures go down more in winter time till minus 25 celsius degrees by night. It is important to take in consideration this details and prepared right clothes for San Pedro de Atacama and for doing your tours:

1.- Clothes for warm and cold days.
2.- Hat and sunglasses.
3.- Right shoes for different temperatures.

San Pedro de Atacama is catalogued as the main border way of the area. Here you will find obligated custom controls for going to Bolivia and Argentina. Is the chance to supply fuel for your vehicle and to find a vulcaniser if you need it. There is no mechanic services, but you have rescue and transfer services. In general the routes of the zone are in regular state, more if you go to the altiplano over the 4000 mts. Remember the thermic oscilation between day and night.
If yoy decide to visit San Pedro de Atacama on your vehicle take in consideration this recommendation:
1.- Let know at the police station that you are going to the mountains.
2.- If you have problems with your vehicle, never leave it behind. Wait for help at your vehicle.
3.- When you go to the mountains over the 4000 mts. never turn off the engine inmediately. Leave it like that till the temperature and presurre of the liquids are stabilized.
4.- For vehicles without electronic injection, carry some tools for to carcaj at the height.
5.- Take enough water.
6.- On winter time prepared your vehicle for below 0 temperatures.

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