The main tourist centre in the Atacama Desert,San Pedro is on the edge of the “Salar deAtacama” a massive salt flat stretching intothe distance. The village is made of traditionalmaterials such as adobe and cactus fromthe surrounding countryside, the streets areunpaved and the atmosphere is one of relaxedenjoyment of life.With its strong Inca influences, it is anarchaeological centre where many pieces formpart of the collection of the Padre Le PaigeArchaeological Museum, named in honourof the Belgian priest who dedicated a largepart of his life to exploring the desert. Themuseum holds mummies, tools and religiousartefacts from the original villages of theregion. Surrounding San Pedro de Atacama isa wealth of natural geographical phenomenonand picturesque villages.