Things to Do in Salar de Uyuni

Salar de Uyuni covers 4,000 square miles of southwestern Bolivia—making it the world's largest salt flat. During dry season, crystallized salt forms geometric patterns that stretch beyond the horizon, while rainy season turns the flats into a perfect mirror reflecting sky with startling clarity. Total optical illusion. What makes this place special goes beyond its impressive size—it plays with your perception, creating photo opportunities that seem almost too surreal to be real. The small town of Uyuni is your gateway to the salt flats, and while it won't win beauty contests, you'll base yourself here for tours into this remarkable landscape. The area sits at over 12,000 feet above sea level. The altitude hits immediately, and the isolation is profound—you're in the middle of nowhere here. That remoteness is part of the appeal, though it means planning ahead is essential for everything from accommodation to tours.

The dining scene in Uyuni is limited but adequate, with most restaurants serving simple Bolivian fare like llama steaks, quinoa soup, and empanadas. Minuteman Revolutionary Pizza has become legendary among backpackers for its surprisingly good pizza and international menu. Local markets offer fresh bread. Most multi-day salt flat tours include meals, though quality varies significantly between operators—this is where paying a bit more makes a real difference in your experience.

The choice between dry season (May-October) and rainy season (December-April) depends on what you want to see. Dry season offers clear skies, easier travel conditions, and those classic white salt flat photos, but temperatures drop below freezing at night. Rainy season creates the famous mirror effects. March-April and November can offer the best of both worlds with some water for reflections but generally stable weather.