Beautiful village settled at the basin of the

In the basin of Rio Grande, 90 kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama, towards Calama, lies this village with a population of around 96. Its location was strategic, as it was the forced passageway for caravans traveling between San Pedro de Atacama and Chiu-Chiu. Proofs of this are the surrounding archeological sites that show petroglyphs of the guanaco hunters during the pre-Hispanic period.

Today, Rio Grande's settlers cultivate corn, lettuce, alfalfa, potatoes, as well as raise sheep, llamas, birds, rabbits, and goats, which are marketed in Calama.  They also manufacture textile and handmade goods in a lower scale.

Construction in Rio Grande is characterized by the use of quarry stone on the walls put together with mortar clay, straw and clay roofs, with cactus and carob beams.  

Among it's most important celebrations are: The Limpia de Canales on July 28^th. , La Cruz on May 3^rd., and San Santiago on July 25^th