Ricardo García Posada Airport

El Salvador Bajo Airport (ESR) sits in the Atacama Desert, 6 kilometers south of Diego de Almagro, a town in Chile's Chañaral Province. The airport handles regular flights from Santiago and regional hubs, primarily serving workers in the surrounding copper mines and the small but resilient local population. With a single short runway and a compact terminal, it is a functional lifeline for a region where road distances are vast and the desert dominates.

Getting There

Diego de Almagro is approximately 130 kilometers northeast of Copiapó, the nearest major city. Driving from Copiapó takes about 1 hour 45 minutes along Route C-13, a paved two-lane road that cuts through the arid landscape. From Santiago, the drive is roughly 900 kilometers – a 9-hour journey – but most visitors fly to El Salvador Bajo and then drive the short distance into town. There is no direct public bus to the airport; taxis and private transfers are the main options. Taxis from Diego de Almagro to the airport cost around 8,000–10,000 CLP (about 10 USD) and take 10 minutes. Ride-hailing apps do not operate reliably here. If you rent a car from the airport (several local agencies have counters in the terminal), expect to pay from 30,000 CLP per day for a basic compact vehicle. Parking at the airport is free and available for short stays.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal at El Salvador Bajo is a single-story building with a functional, no-frills layout. On arrival, passengers walk from the aircraft across the tarmac into the small arrivals hall, where a baggage carousel serves all flights. The check-in area has two desks and is usually bustling before departures. Security screening involves a walk-through metal detector and X-ray machine – staff are efficient but thorough. The waiting area has about 50 seats, vending machines with drinks and snacks, and a small kiosk selling basic toiletries and souvenirs. Wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park are available, as confirmed by the airport. The terminal features a ramp at the entrance, accessible toilets, and designated parking spots near the entrance. There is no airside lounge or restaurant. The entire process from check-in to gate typically takes under 30 minutes. Busiest times align with flight schedules: Mondays at 7 am (often the start of the work week for miners), Tuesdays at 8 am, Wednesdays at 2 pm, and Thursdays at 4 pm. Outside these windows, the terminal can be nearly empty. Wi-Fi is not available inside the terminal, so plan accordingly.

El Salvador Bajo Airport and Diego de Almagro

Diego de Almagro is a town of about 18,000 people, founded in the 1950s to support the El Salvador copper mine, one of the largest in Chile. The town's layout is functional: a central plaza, a few blocks of shops, and rows of modest houses spreading into the desert. The mine, operated by Codelco, dominates the local economy. Most flights bring in shift workers or engineers; tourists are rare but increasing. The town's main attraction is its proximity to the Atacama Desert, which offers stark landscapes, salt flats, and clear night skies. The nearby Nevado Tres Cruces National Park protects high-altitude lakes and flamingos, accessible by 4x4 vehicle about 90 minutes from town. The park is open year-round, but the best months are March to November, avoiding the summer rains that make dirt roads impassable. For a taste of local culture, visit the Plaza de Armas, where a small museum houses mining artifacts and photographs from the town's founding. Mining tours can be arranged through Codelco, but require advance booking and a security clearance. The town has a handful of hospedajes (guesthouses) and two basic hotels. Restaurants serve Chilean staples: empanadas, pastel de choclo, and fresh seafood transported from Chañaral, 80 kilometers west. The desert climate means daytime temperatures often exceed 35°C in summer (December–February) and drop to near freezing at night in winter (June–August). Pack layers and plenty of water. The airport itself is not a tourist destination, but it is the practical entry point for anyone wanting to experience the remote, mineral-rich heart of the Atacama.

Practical Information

El Salvador Bajo Airport (IATA: ESR, ICAO: SCES) is open only during flight times; check with your airline for exact hours. There is no published phone number, but the airport is managed by the national aviation authority – Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC). For flight inquiries, contact LATAM or Sky Airline. The airport has no ATM, so bring cash in Copiapó or Santiago. Last-minute tip: If your flight is delayed and you need to pass time, drive 6 km into Diego de Almagro's main street (Avenida Ignacio Carrera Pinto), where there are a couple of small cafés with reliable Wi-Fi – a better option than waiting in the terminal.