Antofagasta

Standing beneath the cosmic wonderland at Paranal Observatory is akin to having a front-row seat at the universe's most exclusive nightclub-minus the annoying bouncer and overpriced drinks. Perched amid Chile's stark Atacama Desert, where rainfall is as rare as tourists behaving responsibly abroad, this observatory delivers staggering clarity of the Southern Hemisphere skies. Once the sun drops dramatically behind the horizon (around sunset is ideal-think of it as happy hour for astronomers), prepare yourself for an endless buffet of constellations, nebulae, and galaxies revealed in jaw-dropping detail. Book at least a month ahead as-unsurprisingly-you're not the only one chasing starlight in this lunar-looking landscape. Carry layers (nights can get shiveringly chilly), maybe some snacks, and definitely a flask of something strong enough to toast the universe and your insignificance. Budget roughly $100-$150 USD per person for guided visits, travel logistics from Antofagasta, and nocturnal comforts. Even if your astronomical knowledge extends barely beyond pointing at Orion's belt, stargazing here is worth every peso, if only so next time your overly confident neighbor points skyward, you can casually reply, "Oh, the Southern Cross? Saw it clearly beneath a billion stars in Paranal-what a night that was."

Sandboarding in the Atacama Desert-because careening headfirst down towering golden dunes in the planet's driest place sounds like precisely the sensible, responsible choice your mother always warned you about. Picture yourself at dusk, perched atop massive sand waves honed by centuries of relentless sun and wind, eyes squinting dramatically as if starring in your own low-budget Lawrence of Arabia remake. Aim to book a board and guide at least a day ahead to beat out the usual handful of sunburned thrill-seekers; $30 to $50 USD should cover your sandy escapades and equipment rental (pro tip: bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and something to cover your face unless gritty teeth exfoliation is your preferred spa treatment). Yes, sand will invade crevices you never even knew existed, and you'll likely spend more time eating dust than carving graceful curves, yet hurtling recklessly down dunes as the sun melts into a fiery horizon is worth every uncomfortable grain-if only for the bragging rights and the gritty anecdotes you'll shamelessly milk at dinner parties for years.

Floating in the Lagunas Escondidas de Baltinache feels like bobbing around inside a giant margarita glass, minus the tequila buzz and lime garnish-though you'd be forgiven for wishing for both after navigating the lunar-like landscape of the Atacama Salt Flats. These surreal turquoise pools, scattered amidst the stark white salt crust, are nature's cheeky answer to the Dead Sea, challenging travelers to stay grumpy while effortlessly floating like corks beneath a blazing Chilean sky. Arrive early morning or late afternoon to dodge crowds and the midday heat that can fry eggs-or tourists-on baking salt crystals, and plan ahead since the nearest cold beverage is several dusty miles away. Pack sunscreen, water, and your most ridiculous floaty hat, and budget around 10,000 Chilean pesos (roughly $12 USD)-an absolute steal considering it grants you entry into perhaps the world's quirkiest natural spa. Sure, you'll spend the next week finding salt crystals crusted behind your ears, but between floating improbably on crystalline lakes at Earth's driest desert and smugly recounting the experience later, it's well worth the salty souvenir.