Top 5 best motorcycle rentals in Calama

The desert around Calama does not reveal itself from a bus window. Out past the mine gates and the last irrigated fields, the land opens into copper-red plains, adobe villages and salt flats that only make sense at motorcycle speed — close enough to feel the altitude change, fast enough to cover the distances between them. Head north and you are looking down into Chuquicamata, one of the largest open-pit mines on the planet; head south and the road climbs toward the geyser fields of El Tatio and the dunes of Valle de la Luna. Riding here is less a scenic loop than a way of moving through the Atacama's scale.

This is a landscape built for two wheels rather than four. Towns like Chiu Chiu, Ayquina and San Pedro de Atacama sit far apart across open highway with almost no public transport connecting them, so a rental car struggles to justify itself for one or two riders, while a motorcycle lets you stop on a whim at a mine viewpoint, an adobe church or a flamingo lagoon. The roads themselves reward it: long, mostly empty straights broken by firm dirt tracks up to the old pukarás and altiplano villages, terrain that suits a mid-size or dual-sport bike better than anything smaller. If you plan on **renting a motorcycle in Calama**, this is exactly the kind of trip it was built for.

Top 10 things to see in Calama by motorcycle

1. Chuquicamata — the world-famous open-pit copper mine just north of town; a short, easy loop out to the viewpoint tours.
2. Chiu Chiu y la Iglesia San Francisco de Chiu Chiu — one of Chile's oldest adobe churches, the classic first stop on the Río Loa oasis route.
3. Pukará de Lasana — pre-Inca stone fortress ruins along the Río Loa canyon, a scenic detour off the Chiu Chiu road.
4. Ayquina — a small Andean village with terraced fields, known for its September festival and reached by a winding altiplano road.
5. Pukará de Turi — extensive fortified ruins on a desert bluff, quieter than Lasana.
6. San Pedro de Atacama — the region's tourist hub, about 100 km southeast, a full-day round trip through open desert highway.
7. Valle de la Luna — iconic dunes and rock formations near San Pedro, best ridden in for sunset.
8. Valle del Arcoíris — mineral-streaked hills west of San Pedro, with far fewer visitors than the Moon Valley.
9. Salar de Atacama y Laguna Chaxa — a salt flat with flamingo lagoons, flat enough to be a good first stretch on a new rental before tougher routes.
10. Géiseres del Tatio — a high-altitude geyser field ridden in the early morning cold; thin air and rough road make this the toughest leg of the trip.

What do you need to rent a motorcycle in Calama?

Chile requires a valid motorcycle licence (Class C, or the equivalent category on a foreign licence) for anything engine-powered on public roads — a car licence on its own will not do. The legal minimum age is 18, though rental companies here often set their own minimum, sometimes with a required period of holding the licence, especially for bigger bikes. An International Driving Permit is not legally required for visitors but is worth carrying anyway, since some operators ask for one. Expect a deposit pre-authorised on a credit card in your own name; if a shop asks to hold cash or your passport instead, it is fair to decline.

How much does it cost to rent a motorcycle in Calama?

A small-to-mid motorcycle runs roughly 20,000–30,000 CLP per day in low season and 35,000–55,000 CLP per day in high season, while a larger adventure or dual-sport bike suited to the Tatio and Turi routes climbs to around 60,000–90,000 CLP per day.

• Prices peak in July, during Chilean winter school holidays, and again in December–January, the Southern Hemisphere summer.
• April to June and September to October are the best value, aside from the Fiestas Patrias week around September 18.

When to book a rental motorcycle in Calama?

The Atacama rides well year-round, so booking timing here is mostly about price rather than weather. High season falls in July and December–January, when demand across Chile spikes and rates for a motorcycle rental in Calama climb accordingly; low season sits in the shoulder months of April–June and September–October, once Fiestas Patrias week has passed. Booking a couple of weeks ahead during these quieter months usually secures the better rates and a wider pick of bikes, including the larger dual-sport models needed for Tatio.

Local traffic rules in Calama

Chile drives on the right. Helmets are mandatory for riders and passengers, and motorcycles must run with the headlight on at all times, day and night. Speed limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas, dropping to 30 km/h near schools, around 100 km/h on rural two-lane roads and up to 120 km/h on motorways — speed cameras are common on Ruta 5. Alcohol limits are strict and tiered, with the practical rule for riders being zero drinks before getting on the bike. Lane splitting is not permitted; motorcycles are expected to hold their lane like any other vehicle.

Types of motorcycles available

On our website you can rent the following types of motorcycles: cruiser, sport, touring, standard, classic, dual-purpose, dirt bikes, street, naked bikes or roadsters, choppers, custom, streetfighter, sport-touring, dual-sport, on-road, off-road, adventure motorcycles, supermoto, scrambler, motorcycle with sidecar, enduro, motocross mx, trail, motards, tricycles, bikes with automatic or manual gears, luxury motorbikes.

Models of motorcycles available

On our website you can hire motorcycles from the following manufacturers: BMW, Harley Davidson, Aprilia, Buell, Cagiva, Ducati, Gilera, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, Husqvarna, Jawa, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Benelli, Bajaj, Indian, Royal Enfield, TVS, Beta, Bimota.

Which insurance is provided?

Most providers include basic third-party liability insurance in the rental price, with options to upgrade to fuller coverage that reduces or removes your deposit liability in case of damage or theft. Always confirm exactly what is and isn’t covered before you set off.

Extra services available

When you make an online motorbike reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, or delivery to your chosen address.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Compare prices from multiple local rental companies in one place;
• Read reviews from previous customers;
• Reserve online with a Best Price Guarantee;
• Friendly support if your plans change.

Most of our motorcycle rental providers have years of experience and will equip you with a well-maintained bike, helmet and insurance for the ride ahead. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a motorcycle locally, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!