Home › Destinations › Salar de Uyuni
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia - Things to Do in Salar de Uyuni

Salar de Uyuni

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia - Complete Travel Guide

Salar de Uyuni, located in southwest Bolivia, is the world's largest salt flat, stretching over 4,000 square miles of blindingly white crystallized salt. This otherworldly landscape transforms dramatically between seasons - during the dry season (May to October), it becomes a vast white desert with perfect geometric salt formations, while the rainy season (December to March) creates a mirror effect that reflects the sky so perfectly it's impossible to distinguish where earth ends and heaven begins. The salt flats sit at an altitude of 11,995 feet above sea level, making it one of the most unique and photographically impressive destinations on Earth. Beyond its natural beauty, Salar de Uyuni holds significant economic importance as one of the world's largest lithium reserves and continues to be harvested for salt by local communities using traditional methods passed down through generations. The remote location and extreme conditions create an almost alien environment that has attracted photographers, adventurers, and travelers seeking one of the planet's most surreal landscapes. The nearby town of Uyuni serves as the gateway to this natural wonder, offering basic amenities and tour operators for visitors looking to explore this geological marvel.

Top Salar de Uyuni

Salt Flats Mirror Effect Photography

Experience the magical mirror effect during rainy season when a thin layer of water creates perfect reflections of the sky and clouds. This phenomenon makes it appear as though you're walking on clouds, creating some of the most spectacular and surreal photographs imaginable. The best conditions occur early morning and late afternoon when the light is softest and the water is calmest.

Booking Tip: Book tours during rainy season (December-March) for mirror effects, costs $30-80 per day depending on group size and duration. Look for operators with 4WD vehicles and photography expertise, and confirm they know the best spots for water reflections.

Sunrise and Sunset Tours

Witness impressive sunrises and sunsets over the endless white expanse of salt, where the sky explodes in brilliant colors that reflect across the crystalline surface. The lack of light pollution and vast open horizon creates some of the most dramatic sunrise and sunset experiences on Earth. These tours often include creative perspective photography using props and the flat landscape.

Booking Tip: Multi-day tours ($150-300) include both sunrise and sunset viewing with overnight camping or basic accommodation. Choose operators with warm blankets and hot drinks, as temperatures drop significantly at night at this altitude.

Train Cemetery and Colchani Village Visit

Explore the haunting Train Cemetery where dozens of abandoned steam locomotives from the early 20th century rust in the desert, remnants of Bolivia's once-thriving mining industry. Visit nearby Colchani village to see traditional salt harvesting methods and learn about local life in this remote region. The contrast between industrial decay and traditional culture provides fascinating insights into the area's history.

Booking Tip: Usually included in day tours ($30-50), but can be visited independently. Best combined with salt flats tours as it's en route. Look for guides who can explain the historical significance and support local salt cooperatives by purchasing authentic salt products.

Flamingo Watching at Colored Lagoons

Venture to the impressive colored lagoons including Laguna Colorada and Laguna Verde, where thousands of pink flamingos feed in the mineral-rich waters. These high-altitude lagoons display incredible colors from deep red to emerald green due to algae and mineral deposits. The contrast of pink flamingos against the colorful waters and dramatic Andean backdrop creates unforgettable wildlife viewing opportunities.

Booking Tip: Requires 2-3 day tours ($200-400) as lagoons are several hours from salt flats. Choose tours with early morning departures for best flamingo activity and bring warm clothing as temperatures can drop below freezing at night.

Stargazing and Night Photography

Experience some of the clearest night skies on Earth due to the high altitude, lack of light pollution, and dry climate of the salt flats. The Milky Way appears incredibly vivid, and on moonless nights, the stars reflect in the salt surface during wet season creating a 360-degree celestial experience. Professional astronomy guides can help identify constellations and provide photography tips for capturing the night sky.

Booking Tip: Night tours cost $50-100 extra, best during new moon phases for darkest skies. Bring warm sleeping bags as temperatures drop to -10°C. Choose operators with astronomy knowledge and photography equipment, and check weather conditions as clouds can obstruct views.

Getting There

The gateway to Salar de Uyuni is the small town of Uyuni, accessible by overnight bus from La Paz (10-12 hours, $15-25) or Sucre (6-8 hours, $10-15). The most scenic option is taking the train from Oruro to Uyuni, though service is limited and tickets should be booked in advance. Some travelers fly into Chile, Chile and cross the border, or arrive via organized tours from Chile. The journey itself is an adventure through Bolivia's altiplano, offering impressive Andean scenery, but be prepared for basic facilities and potential delays due to weather or road conditions.

Getting Around

Most visitors explore Salar de Uyuni through organized tours using 4WD vehicles, as the terrain requires specialized transportation and local knowledge of safe routes across the salt surface. Independent travel is not recommended due to the lack of roads, GPS unreliability, and dangerous conditions that can arise quickly. Tour vehicles typically accommodate 4-6 passengers and are equipped with supplies for emergencies. Within Uyuni town, everything is walkable, though some accommodations offer pickup services. For multi-day tours, transportation includes all necessary camping equipment and supplies for remote areas where no infrastructure exists.

Where to Stay

Uyuni town center
Salt hotels on the flats
Colchani village
Camping on salt flats
Luxury eco-lodges
Budget hostels in Uyuni

Food & Dining

Dining options are limited but authentic, centered mainly in Uyuni town with simple restaurants serving traditional Bolivian fare like llama meat, quinoa soup, and saltenas. Most tour packages include all meals prepared by guides using portable equipment, featuring hearty stews and grilled meats to sustain energy in the harsh environment. The famous salt hotels offer unique dining experiences where tables, chairs, and even walls are made entirely of salt blocks. Local specialties include flamingo eggs (though now protected), quinoa-based dishes, and coca tea to help with altitude adjustment. Visitors should stock up on snacks and water in Uyuni town, as options become extremely limited once on the salt flats, and always carry extra food for emergencies during multi-day excursions.

Top-Rated Restaurants in Bolivia

Highly-rated dining options based on Google reviews (4.5+ stars, 100+ reviews)

View all food guides →

Restaurante Michelangelo

4.6 /5
(1666 reviews) 3

Fellini

4.5 /5
(1628 reviews) 2

Bravissimo

4.6 /5
(1159 reviews) 2

La Cantonata

4.5 /5
(1117 reviews) 2

Pizzería Bella Ciao

4.9 /5
(556 reviews)

Ristorante Il Borgo Santa Cruz

4.5 /5
(562 reviews) 2

Looking for specific cuisines?

Local Cuisine Italian Japanese Fine Dining

When to Visit

The best time to visit depends on what you want to experience: dry season (May-October) offers clear skies, easy access across the hardened salt surface, and dramatic white landscapes perfect for perspective photography, while rainy season (December-March) creates the famous mirror effect but limits access to some areas. July-August are peak tourist months with the clearest weather but coldest temperatures and highest prices. April and November offer good compromises with fewer crowds and transitional landscapes. Avoid January-February if you're not specifically seeking the mirror effect, as heavy rains can make some areas completely inaccessible and create challenging travel conditions.

Insider Tips

Bring high-SPF sunscreen and quality sunglasses as the white salt surface creates intense glare that can cause severe sunburn and snow blindness even on cloudy days
Pack layers including warm clothing for night temperatures that can drop below freezing, even during summer months, due to the high altitude and desert conditions
Carry extra batteries and memory cards as the impressive scenery will have you taking hundreds of photos, and cold temperatures drain battery life quickly in electronic devices

Activities in Salar de Uyuni