Do NOT Stay in this city. Go to Iquique Instead!

You know those YouTube thumbnails that scream, "Don’t go to this city!" and then, once you click, they hit you with, "…unless you watch this video first because it's actually amazing"?
Well, I’m not click-baiting you here...
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The Truth About Calama
Calama is that one spot in Chile where I actually felt uneasy. The town’s got a rough edge to it, and for good reason. It’s a mining town, plain and simple. Miners grind out 10 to 15 days straight in the mines, come down for a quick break, and head back up. The main form of entertainment? Let’s just say it’s not exactly PG-rated.

Border Vibes and Bigger Problems
And then there’s the location—Calama’s a little too close to the Bolivian border for comfort. If you’ve seen Scarface, you know Bolivia’s got a rep for something a bit more... powdery. Unfortunately, Calama’s got its own drug issues, which just adds to the sketchy vibe. Most tourist spots are closed, and honestly, the highlight of your visit might be a trip to Jumbo—the fancy supermarket. Yep, that’s as thrilling as it gets.

Final Advice
Unless you’re there for mining business, do yourself a favor and skip Calama. Head straight to San Pedro de Atacama instead—you’ll have a way better time.