Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia: The Ultimate Travel Guide

What Is the Salar de Uyuni?

The Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world and the top attraction in Bolivia, bar none. It’s even among the most famous sights in the world and is simply a must on any vacation in Bolivia.

The salt flat sits at an elevation of about 3,600 meters and covers approximately 10,500 square kilometers. The landscape looks absolutely mind-blowing. After rainfall, a thin layer of water forms on the surface, creating a unique mirror effect.

When it’s dry, the desert is covered in interlocking hexagons, which looks equally incredible. Besides the massive salt lake, the region also features stunning lagoons and geysers, and you can spot flamingos in the wild.

Location and Getting to the Salar de Uyuni

We’ve marked the Salar de Uyuni and the most popular starting points for visiting the salt flat on a map.

The Salar de Uyuni is located in western Bolivia, on the border with Chile. The classic starting point for a visit is the town of Uyuni — most guided tours to the salt flat depart from there.

Many four- or five-day tours start in Tupiza and end in Uyuni, or the other way around. From Uyuni, you can reach Tupiza by bus in about four hours.

How Do You Get to the Salar de Uyuni?

The best way to reach Uyuni is from La Paz, Potosí, or Sucre. Buses run regularly from all three cities. The most popular route is from La Paz — you can take an overnight bus (about eight hours) or fly directly to Uyuni.

The best place to compare flights is Skyscanner, and buses can be booked directly at the terminal or on ticketsbolivia.com.bo.

Getting to the Salar de Uyuni from Chile

If you’re doing a full South America trip, visiting the Salar de Uyuni on your way between Chile and Bolivia — or vice versa — is a great option.

The famous Atacama Desert, one of the most spectacular sights in Chile, is located on the Chilean side near the Salar de Uyuni. The most popular base for excursions into the desert is San Pedro de Atacama. From there, you can also book tours to the Salar that typically end in Uyuni.

When Is the Best Time to Visit the Salar de Uyuni?

The Salar de Uyuni has its own appeal in both the dry season and the rainy season. As we mentioned earlier: during the rainy season you’ll typically see the famous water reflection, and during the dry season you’ll see the hexagonal salt patterns.

We especially recommend the transitional months of April and May as well as October and November. These months give you the best chance of seeing both dry and wet sections of the salt flat — seriously the ideal scenario.

From June through September, it gets very cold at the Salar de Uyuni. Some lagoons freeze over and temperatures drop to -20°C at night. You’ll be extremely cold. On the upside, there’s usually clear sunshine and you can take stunning photos.

From December through February, there can be a lot of rain, which means some routes are often flooded and impassable. However, it’s significantly warmer, making sightseeing much more pleasant.

Guided Tour to the Salar de Uyuni or Go It Alone?

The vast majority of visitors explore the Salar de Uyuni on a guided tour. We recommend this approach too, because the tours are not expensive, you’re taken to all the highlights, and meals and accommodations are included.

Visiting on your own is possible, but not recommended. You can drive into the salt flat in your own car or even by bike. The advantage is that you’re much more flexible and can decide for yourself how much time to spend at each stop.

The problem is that throughout the entire Salar region, there are no proper roads or signage. Any kind of infrastructure is essentially nonexistent. You can easily get lost, and if something happens to your vehicle — which is not uncommon given the terrain — you’re completely on your own.

That’s why we strongly recommend visiting the Salar de Uyuni on a guided tour.

Everything You Need to Know About Salar de Uyuni Tours

There are various tours available for visiting the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia. The biggest difference comes down to tour length. Everything from day tours to five-day tours is available — and the longer your tour, the more you’ll get to see.

The most popular options are day tours or three-day tours. We also think the five-day tour is fantastic.

Some agencies offer two- or four-day tours, but we don’t recommend those. On the two-day tour, you won’t see many more highlights than on the day tour. The same goes for the four-day tour — the sights on the fourth day aren’t that impressive.

Tours booked locally in Bolivia usually start in Uyuni — you’ll need to arrange your own transportation to the town. When you book online, transportation from La Paz or San Pedro de Atacama is usually included.

Note: The routes aren’t always the same. There are variations between tours, so always check carefully what’s included before you book.

Day Tour to the Salar de Uyuni

Day tours typically start around 10 or 11 AM in Uyuni, from where you’ll be driven out to the Salar de Uyuni. You’ll make stops at several highlights and take some great photos. Lunch is included. In the late afternoon, you’ll be driven back to Uyuni.

You won’t spend any nights at the Salar de Uyuni, but if you’re traveling from La Paz, plan on two overnight bus rides.

Sights on the Day Tour

• Uyuni Train Cemetery
• Village of Colchani
• The Salar de Uyuni salt flat
• Hotel del Sal
• Isla Incahuasi (entrance fee: 30 Bs)

Book Tickets for the Salar de Uyuni Day Tour

Salar de Uyuni Day Tour departing from Uyuni

Salar de Uyuni Day Tour with round-trip transportation from La Paz

Three-Day Tour to the Salar de Uyuni

The three-day tour starts just like the day tour. On Day 1, however, instead of heading back to Uyuni in the afternoon, you’ll spend the night near the salt flat.

On Day 2, you continue through the desert, passing highlights like Laguna Colorada, volcanoes, and lagoons full of flamingos.

On the third day, you wake up very early to witness the natural phenomenon of geysers at sunrise. Afterward, you head to Laguna Verde and soak in natural hot springs. With a few short stops along the way, you’ll make your way back to Uyuni in the afternoon.

In total, you’ll spend two nights at the Salar de Uyuni.

Sights on the Salar de Uyuni 3-Day Tour

• All highlights of the day tour
• Mirador Volcán Ollague
• Laguna Cañapa
• Laguna Hedionda
• Laguna Honda
• Arbol de Piedra
• Laguna Colorada (cost: 150 Bs for the national park)
• Geysers
• Aguas Termales Polques (cost: 6 Bs)
• Laguna Verde and Laguna Blanca

Book Tickets for the Salar de Uyuni Three-Day Tour

We recommend booking the classic three-day tour on-site — it’s cheapest there and you’ll have a wide selection to choose from.

Three-Day Tour from La Paz to San Pedro de Atacama

Five-Day Tour to the Salar de Uyuni

On the five-day tour, you typically start in the small town of Tupiza and finish in Uyuni. In addition to everything on the three-day tour, you’ll explore some highlights around Tupiza — mostly unusual rock formations like the Quebrada de Palala.

You’ll also summit the 6,008-meter Uturuncu Volcano. This is especially exciting for hiking enthusiasts who’ve always wanted to stand on a 6,000-meter peak. The hike isn’t particularly difficult — but the altitude makes it incredibly exhausting.

With this option, you’ll spend four nights at the Salar de Uyuni.
Sights on the Salar de Uyuni 5-Day Tour

• All highlights of the 3-day tour
• Tupiza
• Quebrada de Palala
• El Sillar
• San Pablo de Lípez
• Summit of the 6,008-meter Uturuncu Volcano

Book the Salar de Uyuni 5-Day Tour

Book Online or On-Site?

You can book tours to the Salar de Uyuni online in advance or spontaneously on the spot. Either way, the tour experience is generally the same.

Online tours tend to be more expensive, but they’re more comfortable and more reliable — and give you peace of mind when planning. If you book on-site, it’s usually significantly cheaper, but you’ll often have to accept lower-quality accommodations, guides, and food.

If you’re strictly on a budget, booking on-site is your best bet. If you have slightly higher expectations and want to know exactly what you’re getting, we’d recommend booking online. You’ll also usually have the option to cancel if your plans change.

Tour Prices for the Salar de Uyuni

Prices for Salar de Uyuni tours vary widely, so here’s a rough price range for the three-day tour. This is the most popular option and the one we did ourselves, so it’s where we have the most firsthand experience.

Price range for the 3-day Salar de Uyuni tour: 100–300 euros

You might be wondering: why is there such a big price gap if the tours are all essentially the same?

Here are a few small but important differences between tours:

• Private rooms: On budget tours, you’ll usually stay in a dorm. Pay a bit more and you’ll get a private room.
• Heated rooms: Temperatures at the Salar de Uyuni can drop well below freezing at night. Budget tours usually don’t include heated rooms, which means cold, uncomfortable nights.
• Meals: Meals are included in all tours, but quality varies significantly. On budget tours, you often have to bring your own water.
• Accommodation services: On budget tours, hot showers usually cost extra. Toilet paper is also often not provided.
• Guide: Tours with an English-speaking guide typically cost a bit more.
• Transportation: With cheaper tours, you’re always responsible for getting yourself to Uyuni.

Practical Tips for Visiting the Salar de Uyuni

The Salar de Uyuni is far removed from any civilization, and amenities and infrastructure are very basic. Running water, electricity, functioning toilets — these are all luxuries and not to be taken for granted. The weather conditions are also extreme, so you’ll need to pack smart.

Also read our best travel tips for Bolivia

What to Pack for the Salar de Uyuni?

Especially in the winter months, the Salar de Uyuni can be bitterly cold. Temperatures can quickly drop to -20°C at night, so bring the warmest clothes you have with you on your South America trip.

Other things you’ll definitely want to pack:

• Toilet paper
• Sunscreen
• Lip balm
• Water and snacks
• Swimwear (for the hot springs)
• Sleeping bag if needed (not necessary at heated accommodations — otherwise you can usually rent one for a fee)

Restrooms at the Salar de Uyuni

Most stops at the Salar de Uyuni have restrooms, which typically cost 5 bolivianos to use. Don’t expect too much, though.

The toilets are usually just a hole in the ground, the flush rarely works, and soap is nonexistent. You will, however, always be handed a strip of toilet paper.