The Salar de Uyuni is located in southwestern Bolivia, in the Potosi region, and is one of the most unique and breathtaking places in the world. Covering an area of approximately 10,000 square kilometers, this vast salt desert was formed from the ancient prehistoric Lake Minchin. It is located at an average altitude of about 3,656 meters above sea level, which contributes to the extremely cold temperatures it experiences at night. There are a lot of things to see in Salar de Uyuni and we invite you to discover them with us!
This salt flat is famous for its unique and dazzling features. During the rainy season, a thin layer of water covers the salt flat, creating a mirror effect that reflects the sky and clouds, giving it a surreal and magical appearance. This immense expanse of salt and its incomparable beauty attracts thousands of adventurers and photographers from all over the world in search of a unique and visually stunning experience. Read on and discover the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia with Passporter!
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What places to visit in the Salar de Uyuni
Before we dive into some of the specific places you should visit on your trip to the Salar de Uyuni, it is worth noting that usually organized tours include these visits and depending on the time or even the days you dedicate to your trip, your tour will be more or less complete. Discover the places to see in the Salar de Uyuni!
1. Cemetery of Trains
The Train Cemetery is a unique and fascinating place in the Salar de Uyuni that attracts numerous visitors. This “cemetery” houses a collection of old abandoned trains and locomotives that were used in the region’s mining industry during the 19th century tin boom. Over the years, these iron vehicles have fallen into disuse and accumulated in this vast junkyard field, creating a striking and nostalgic stamp reminiscent of the passage of time. Surrounded by a desert landscape and the distant mountains, the rusting remains of the trains offer a unique opportunity for travelers and photographers to explore a place loaded with charm and mystery.
2. Uyuni’s Plaza de las Banderas (Flag Square)
The well-known Plaza de las Banderas is an iconic place located in the Salar de Uyuni and one of the tour stops in this magical place. It is famous for a series of flags of different countries that stand in the middle of the vast salt desert, creating a striking contrast between the infinite white of the salt flat and the colorful flags. This striking and photogenic plaza is visited by tourists from all over the world who seek to capture unique images with the flags waving in the background, creating an impressive visual effect. People also like being able to take a picture with their country’s flag. It is an emblematic and symbolic place that represents the diversity of the visitors and the international appeal of the Salar de Uyuni.
3. Incahuasi Island in Salar de Uyuni
Incahuasi Island, also known as “Isla del Pescado” (Fish Island), is an island located in the salt flat, as well as an outstanding tourist destination due to its unique beauty and its location in the middle of the vast salt desert.
The island is covered with giant cacti that can reach up to 10 meters high and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the salt flat. Adventurous visitors can walk along marked trails to explore this desert island and appreciate the unique flora and fauna that inhabit it. In addition, it is worth noting that Incahuasi Island is a highlight on tours that travel through the Salar de Uyuni, due to the beauty of the landscape and the majesty of the huge cacti that surprise in such a cold environment.
4. Incredible views of the landscape and stars
Of course, the greatest jewel of the Salar de Uyuni is the salt itself, which creates a setting worthy of a science fiction movie. The scenery of this salt desert is worth a visit in itself, especially when the sun reflects off the surface of the salt. During the rainy season, the salt flat becomes an immense mirror that reflects the sky and clouds, creating an impressive optical effect that seems to merge the horizon and the sky. This phenomenon creates surreal and magical landscapes, providing a unique opportunity to capture spectacular photographs.
In addition, at night, the Salar de Uyuni offers a completely different spectacle: a clear and bright starry sky that seems endless. The lack of light pollution allows exceptional visibility of the stars and the Milky Way, making starry nights a magical and unforgettable experience. Visitors can contemplate the majesty of the universe in all its splendor while surrounded by this breathtaking natural landscape.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around the Salar de Uyuni
1. City of Uyuni
If you travel to the Salar de Uyuni you must first pass through the city that bears the same name. Uyuni, a small town that is mainly famous for being the gateway to the impressive Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt desert in the world. This city is a starting point for adventurers seeking to explore the unique natural beauty of the region. Its charm lies in its rustic and peaceful atmosphere, where you can find local markets with handcrafted products and a rich Bolivian culture.
Although the town of Uyuni is mainly visited simply as a gateway to the spectacular salt flat, it is a good place to stay overnight as it offers plenty of accommodation options to its visitors. And once there, it’s worth taking a stroll around and discovering its own charms.
2. Morning Sun Geyser
The Morning Sun Geyser is a unique geothermal attraction famous for its impressive eruptions of water and steam, which can reach heights of up to 10 meters. This natural phenomenon is located, like the Salar de Uyuni, in the department of Potosi, especially in the desert area Sol de la Mañana, within Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Abaroa (Eduardo Abaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve).
This natural wonder is due to the subway volcanic activity that heats the nearby hot springs and creates spectacular explosions that occur very frequently. One of the best times to witness this incredible spectacle of nature is at sunrise, when the sun’s rays illuminate the scene, creating an even more magical and picturesque setting. The Morning Sun Geyser is, without a doubt, a must-see stop for those exploring the Salar de Uyuni.
How to get to and visit the Salar de Uyuni
To get to the Salar de Uyuni from La Paz or Sucre, you can take a flight to the Joya Andina de Uyuni airport. From La Paz, flights are frequent and take about 1 hour, with an average price of about $100 to $200 each way. From Sucre, flights are less frequent and also take approximately 1 hour, with a similar average price.
Once in Uyuni, to reach the Salar, you can hire local tours that offer different options to explore the area. The tours usually include transportation in all-terrain vehicles and specialized guides, in addition to food, sleeping bag and lodging, in case of a multi-day tour. Prices vary according to the duration and type of tour, but a one-day tour can cost around 35€ and a three-day tour can average around 150€. The tours take visitors to the highlights of the Salar, such as the water eyes, Incahuasi Island and the stunning reflections of the sky in the flooded plains, providing an unforgettable experience in this amazing landscape.
Where to stay in the Salar de Uyuni
It is important to note that many of the tours to the Salar de Uyuni are two or three-day tours, so they already include accommodation. Some of them offer interesting accommodations such as salt hotels, simple, but with the necessary comforts to spend a pleasant night surrounded by the magic of the walls built with salt. Others offer camping in the middle of the salt flat and usually include everything you need, such as a sleeping bag, thermal blankets and tents.
- Salt Hotels: The most famous options are the Salt Palace and the Salt Moon Salt Hotel. As we say, the striking thing about these lodgings is that they are partially built with salt. In the case of the Palacio de Sal, it offers rooms with beautiful salt domes that give the impression of staying in a 5-star igloo. In addition, the rooms have stunning views of the salt desert and the hotel offers services such as heated swimming pool, gym, gift store, spa, restaurant… The price per night at the Palacio de Sal ranges from 220€ to 310€ depending on room and dates.
- Camping: As mentioned above, many tours offer the unforgettable experience of spending a night camping in the Salar de Uyuni and enjoying the incredible views of the starry sky. It is an experience that we highly recommend, but always booking a tour, with professionals who will know how to guide you and accompany you in case you have any problems.
- Hotels in Uyuni: If you want to stay in the city of Uyuni instead of in the middle of the salt flat, you will also find several options such as Tonito Hotel, Hotel Rey David, Hostal La Magia de Uyuni, charming and simpler accommodations located in the quiet Uyuni. Price range: 40-65€
Where to eat in the Salar de Uyuni?
As with the accommodation, if you decide to take a tour of the Salar de Uyuni, it is common that the company organizing the tour will take care of the food for the day or days you are going to be in the Salar de Uyuni. However, here are a couple of options if you go on your own:
- Tika: An excellent restaurant of Latin American gastronomy with an unbeatable attention, high quality products and abundant dishes. Price range: 5-20€
- Railway Cafe-Bistro: A relaxed place to eat, or just have a delicious coffee and recharge your batteries. Undoubtedly our recommendation for breakfast in Uyuni. Price range: 3-7€
How to organize your trip to the Salar de Uyuni
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all of its possibilities.
- Get inspired by other travelers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
- Organize your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
- Add your friends so that they can see and modify all the plans and trip information.
- Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
- Add the stops that most interest you, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
- Book your flights, accommodations, transfers and activities through a single app.
- Save all your documents in the app to always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation…
- Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip
- Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travelers with your experience. In addition, you can share the best places to see in the Salar de Uyuni
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
What should I know before a trip to the Salar de Uyuni
- Generally, a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months is required to enter Bolivia.
- The official language in Bolivia is Spanish.
- The official currency in Bolivia is the Boliviano.
- It is best to change money before you start your trip, there are stores and restaurants that do not accept credit cards.
- The altitude and dry climate can quickly dehydrate you. Carry plenty of water and drink regularly to keep your body hydrated.
- Hedge yourself against possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
- The climate of the Salar de Uyuni, located in Bolivia, is characterized by being extremely cold and arid.
- Prepare your suitcase for the extreme cold especially at night: Bring warm clothes, a warm sleeping bag and gloves.
- Protect yourself from the sun: The sun’s glare on the salt flat can be very intense. Use sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat to avoid sunburn.
- The best time to travel to the Salar de Uyuni is during the rainy season, that is, during the months of December, January and February.
- It is important to make sure to choose reliable and experienced tour operators for a safe and satisfactory experience in the Salar de Uyuni.
- Please note that cell phone signal may be limited in certain areas of the Salar de Uyuni.
Frequently asked questions about the Salar de Uyuni
The climate of the Salar de Uyuni, located in Bolivia, is characterized by being extremely cold and arid. During the day, temperatures can reach approximately 15°C to 20°C in the warmest season, while at night, they drop drastically, reaching -15°C or even lower, especially in the coldest season. This immense salt flat, considered the largest in the world, is exposed to intense solar radiation during the day and, due to its altitude, the nights are extremely cold.
The best time to travel to the Salar de Uyuni is during the rainy season, that is, during the months of December, January and February. Although it may seem more comfortable to travel during the dry season, the true beauty of the Salar de Uyuni, comes to light (literally) during the rainy season, due to the play of light and reflections that are created by the water.
To get to the Salar de Uyuni, you generally have to fly to the city of Uyuni from La Paz or Sucre, which are the capitals of Bolivia. There are also flights from other neighboring countries, such as Chile. Once in Uyuni, you can hire local tours that offer different options to explore the salt flat and its surroundings. Tours usually include transportation in all-terrain vehicles and lodging in rustic hotels or desert campsites.
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