Dry as can be certainly describes it. The Atacama desert is said to be that dry. My friend hung around (for work reasons) Antofagasta (only significant city in the area) and commuted to one of the copper mines frequently. All depends on what you want to see & do (if it's desolation, it's nice but similar to the Nevada high desert).

If you can make it to Arica, you might want to consider taking the train to La Paz, Bolivia. That'd certainly be quite a trip.

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