Travel Guide of Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia by Influencers and Travelers
The Salar of Uyuni is a salar located on the high plateaus of southwestern Bolivia. It is near the city of Uyuni, from which it takes its name. A few hundred kilometers from the Chilean border, the Salar of Uyuni is an essential stop on a trip to Sou...
Pictures and Stories of Salar de Uyuni from Influencers
13 pictures of Salar de Uyuni from Indranil Roy, Tobias Jelskov, Vincent Etter and other travelers
- Moments before the sunrise at the Salar of Uyuni. A really—really—cold morning. ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Christopher Crouzet | ©Unsplash
- Snow on a mountain behind the desert ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Indranil Roy | ©Unsplash
- The only salt dessert in the world! ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Tobias Jelskov | ©Unsplash
- Cyan Lake in the dessert of Uyuni ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Tobias Jelskov | ©Unsplash
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How to visit Salar de Uyuni ?
To get to Salar de Uyuni, you can fly into La Paz, Bolivia's capital, and from there, take a one-hour flight to Uyuni, the nearest town to the salt flats. Alternatively, you can take a bus from La Paz to Uyuni, which takes approximately 10 hours. Once in Uyuni, you'll be able to find numerous tour operators offering guided trips to the salt flats.
It's essential to book your tour in advance, as this popular destination can get quite busy during peak travel seasons. Tours range from one-day excursions to multi-day adventures that include visits to nearby attractions such as the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve and the famous Laguna Colorada.
The costs of visiting Salar de Uyuni can vary depending on the type of tour and accommodations you choose. One-day tours can range from $30-60 per person, while multi-day tours can cost between $150-300 per person. Keep in mind that these prices typically include transportation, meals, and accommodations.
Some of the best things to do in Salar de Uyuni include watching the sunrise or sunset, which provides mesmerizing views and colors across the vast salt flat landscape. You can also visit the nearby Train Cemetery, where you'll find abandoned locomotives and train cars from the early 20th century. Don't forget to snap some creative perspective photos using the endless horizon as your backdrop.
When it comes to dining, Uyuni offers a variety of local and international cuisine options. Two popular choices are Minuteman Revolutionary Pizza, which serves delicious wood-fired pizzas, and La Llama y La Sal, where you can savor traditional Bolivian dishes such as llama steaks and quinoa soup.
For accommodations, you can choose from a range of options, from budget-friendly hostels to unique salt hotels. Some recommendations include Hotel de Sal Luna Salada, a comfortable hotel made entirely of salt blocks, and Hotel Jardines de Uyuni, which offers cozy rooms and a beautiful garden setting.
Off the beaten path:
For a truly unique experience, consider visiting the Salar de Uyuni during the wet season (December to April), when a thin layer of water covers the salt flats, creating a mirror-like effect that is nothing short of breathtaking. This natural phenomenon offers a surreal and unforgettable experience, reflecting the sky and surrounding landscapes to create a seemingly infinite horizon. Additionally, you might want to explore the nearby village of Coquesa, which is home to ancient mummies and cave paintings, providing a glimpse into the region's rich history and culture.
The Best Things to Do and Visit around Salar de Uyuni
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1 - Uyuni
16 km away
Uyuni is a city in the southwest of Bolivia. Uyuni primarily serves as a gateway for tourists visiting the world's largest salt flats, the nearby Uyuni salt flat. Each year the city receives approximately 60,000 visitors from around the globe.
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2 - Shore Excursions in Uyuni
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3 - Archaeology Tours in Uyuni
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Learn More about Salar de Uyuni
The Salar of Uyuni is a salar located on the high plateaus of southwestern Bolivia. It is near the city of Uyuni, from which it takes its name. A few hundred kilometers from the Chilean border, the Salar of Uyuni is an essential stop on a trip to South America. It is considered as one of the most incredible salt marshes in the world. Imagine a white desert as far as the eye can see, with some patterns in relief that stand out from the salt crust.
The Salar of Uyuni is the largest salt pan in the world. This desert landscape of almost 4247.12 square miles (11,000 km²) composed of bright white salt, rock formations, and islands dotted with cactus was born following the drying up of a prehistoric lake. This semi-desert region with volcanic soil presents landscapes of exceptional natural beauty: lagoons, geysers, volcanoes, and picturesque villages in this white desert. The Inca island Huasi is located in the middle of the Salar, it is composed of limestone rocks showing coral residues and marine shells, with many cactus that makes the specificity of the island.
It is the coldest region of Bolivia, although the climate can be very different during the day and night, 20 °C during the day and -20 °C at night.
The tourism of the city is mainly concentrated on this white desert. In the city itself, you can visit the train cemetery, otherwise, there is not much to do there except hiking in the desert.
The trompe l'oeil effect is guaranteed throughout the year. The sunsets in Salar de Uyuni are majestic. The colors of the orange sky are reflected in the water and offer to the contemplative a spectacle of the most grandiose.
To discover this lake, there is nothing better than to go on excursions for a few days in a 4x4 to take the time to discover this wonder of nature and its surroundings of multicolored lakes, hot springs etc.
Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to Salar de Uyuni
To visit the Salar de Uyuni, it is mandatory to book a tour with experts, you can't go on your own. Indeed, the Salar is immense, and you could get lost easily, and you also need to know how to drive on a salt desert, so having a suitable vehicle and a driver is essential.
Beginning your journey from San Pedro de Atacama, you have to count about 4 days and 3 nights to see the principal places of the South Lipez and the Salar of Uyuni. It is also possible to stay in Uyuni on the third day, in order to continue the tour towards Bolivia. This tour can also last in 3 days and 2 nights, but it is necessary to take into account that the time spent in the car is consequent and that there is little time to appreciate the landscapes.
Where to Stay near Salar de Uyuni
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More Travel spots to explore around Salar de Uyuni
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