With easy access to national parks and reserves, sometimes a tent, sleeping bag and pillow are all you need for a good night's sleep in the Norte Grande. But for those nights in between adventures there are plenty of accommodation options available, catering to a wide range of budgets and levels of luxury. Towns and cities close to national parks and popular hiking areas are likely to have the most budget options for backpackers, while those looking for a little more comfort and indulgence should stick to bigger cities like Arica or Iquique. In more rural areas, look for hospedajes or refugios.

During the North American summer months of July and August, prices tend to rise. The region is also quite busy in January and February when hoards of Chileans come north to spend their summer vacations at the beach. You may want to book in advance to avoid inconvenience.