Copiapo is a mining city in Chile's Atacama Desert region, serving as a gateway to some of the driest landscapes on earth as well as the mining operations that anchor the local economy, and a rental car is the practical way to reach both the desert scenery and outlying mine-adjacent towns spread across this sparsely populated stretch of northern Chile. Desierto de Atacama Airport (CPO) sits a short distance from the city center, with rental desks operated by national and international companies, and pickup is generally efficient given the airport's role serving both business and desert-tourism travelers.
From Copiapo, the Pan-American Highway (Ruta 5) runs the length of the country, connecting the city north toward Antofagasta, several hours of desert highway, and south toward La Serena and the Elqui Valley, a drive of roughly three to four hours through increasingly green valley terrain as the desert gives way to vineyard country. Closer to the city, routes east into the Atacama's high plateau lead toward mining infrastructure and remote salt-flat scenery, often on unpaved sections where a higher-clearance vehicle is worth requesting.
Driving is on the right throughout Chile, and the Pan-American Highway itself is generally well maintained and toll-free in sections around Copiapo, though some stretches further south do carry tolls. The desert climate means long, straight stretches with minimal shade or services, so treating fuel and water as non-negotiable before any drive beyond the city is essential; distances between towns in this region are considerable and mobile coverage can drop out for long stretches. Daytime heat is intense for much of the year, while desert nights turn surprisingly cold, and dust storms occasionally reduce visibility on exposed highway sections. For anyone exploring the Atacama's mining towns, salt flats or the drive south toward the Elqui Valley's greener terrain, a well-prepared vehicle picked up in Copiapo makes the desert considerably more approachable and the driving far less stressful overall.