[2] Mountains in the region include the Cerro Tinte,[3] Zapaleri and other peaks of the Serranía de Dulcenombre.

On the eastern shore of the lake lie abandoned tin mines; other resources of partly volcanic origin are basalt and gold[4] and the salt ulexite which was obtained from the Pirquitas mine on the shore of Laguna Vilama.

The UV radiation is especially problematic for lifeforms inhabiting the lakes and acts as a mutagen, damaging cellular DNA.

[9] The waters of the lake are extremely clear and have a low chlorophyll content owing to a lack of nutrients.

[2] Vegetation includes ferns[13] and grasses in part associated with wetlands such as Festuca, Oxychloe andina, Parastrephia and Werneria pygmaea as well as Polylepis and Yareta.

At Laguna Vilama and other lakes birds like Andean geese, Darwin's rhea, ducks and flamingos can be observed, mammals in the region include chinchillas, vicuñas and vizcachas.