Some tours include an overnight stay near the salt flats, while others return to Uyuni the same day. Three- and four-day tours to the salt flats operate from here, and booking a guided tour is strongly recommended, as crossing the border independently can be challenging. When visiting the breathtaking salt flats, consider enhancing your experience by staying at a hotel made entirely of salt.
On both tours, the food was great, and there was plenty of it — spinmaya no deposit bonus code we couldn’t even finish everything. The first night’s accommodation (salt hotel) was very clean and comfortable, with fresh bedsheets, towels, and toilet paper provided. Don’t underestimate the altitude and make sure to acclimatise before taking a tour. Most tours are conducted in 4WD vehicles, with the driver also acting as the guide. I’ve done the 3-day Salar de Uyuni tour twice with different agencies, eight years apart, in 2017 and 2025.
On our first tour in 2017, although it wasn’t windy at all, the lake had a greenish tint. In the morning, when most tours come to Laguna, you won’t see the emerald green color. Laguna Colorada, or the Red Lagoon, is a shallow salt lake home to thousands of flamingos. I don’t think this stop was included in tours eight years ago. Another salt flat close to the Chilean border, Salar de Chiguana is a little sister of Salar de Uyuni.

Things to Know Before Choosing a Tour

The visitors can see the panoramic views of the salt expanse making it appear to be infinite in all directions as seen on top of the mountain. Vast reserves of untapped lithium lie beneath the salt flat, and in the early 21st century the Bolivian government discussed options and feasibility for its extraction and production. This travel guide covers what to do, how to get there, where to stay, and useful tips from our experience. Yes, you can visit Salar de Uyuni independently without booking an organized tour.

  • It sits at an altitude of 14,000 ft/ 4,270 m in Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve, close to the Chilean border.
  • For travelers looking to design a trip that feels unique.
  • The skies are very clear and can be viewed without clouds to have a perfect view of the stars and also photography.
  • Laguna Colorada, or the Red Lagoon, is a shallow salt lake home to thousands of flamingos.
  • When these ancient bodies of water evaporated due to time they left behind a thick crust of salt and other minerals and this is what we now call Salar de Uyuni.
  • Experience guides offer travelers innovative ways to discover iconic destinations, featuring unique adventures and trip-building tools for personalized journeys.

These months are also less cold than the dry season. Some would argue the vistas during the wet season are even more mesmerising than in the dry season. The rainy season (December to April) brings its own beauty.
On the 2nd and 3rd days of a standard 3-day tour, you will be taken to beautiful lagoons, and you will see flamingos and vicuñas. Due to the proximity to these international borders, many travelers either start or end their time in Bolivia at Salar de Uyuni. The hotel’s interior showcases the artistry of local craftsmen, featuring intricate salt sculptures and designs that celebrate Bolivian culture.

Colchani

Snacks and water/drinks – food is provided, but in case you want extra in between the meals, pack some snacks and drinks. Sunblock, lip balm with SPF, and sunglasses – the sun is very harsh at high altitudes. You are provided blankets in hotels and refuges, but a down sleeping bag will make your sleep more comfortable. A rain jacket if you go during the wet season.

The structure of the salt crust (Polygons, fractures, micro-textures)

However, if you are travelling from La Paz (which is at a similar altitude) or Cusco (just 250 m lower) then you will likely be fine as you should have acclimatised. For private tours expect to pay significantly more. These are shared tours with usually five or six people per jeep.

How to Get to Salar de Uyuni 🚌

  • When you are Exploring Salar de Uyuni on a multi-day tour, chances are that you will be visiting this nearby reserve.
  • On both tours our drivers found spots with no one else around and brought dinosaur toys and wine bottles to use in the shots.
  • On our first tour, it wasn’t part of the itinerary, but our driver still offered to take us to watch the sunset before heading to the salt hotel.
  • If you don’t like rain and prefer dry weather, visit between May and November.
  • While you might not fancy stripping off when it’s -10°C, you absolutely won’t regret it if you do – trust me!
  • In these hotels everything, from the walls and floors to the beds and tables, is constructed from salt!

It is possible to visit the salt flats independently and while I was there I saw people camping with bikes! In the dry season there is no water layer, instead you can observe the hexagonal salt tiles that form on the surface. If you’re only interested in seeing the salt flat itself and snapping some awesome perspective photos, then the one-day option may be for you.

I am not a fan of commercial tours and wanted to experience Salar de Uyuni independently. South America has stunning salt flats, but Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest at about 4,674 sq mi (12,106 sq km). Be sure to check out the Dakar Rally monument located in Colchani, right at the edge of the salt flats.

Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve

It was once a place of ceremony in Inca times (hausi means house in Quechua). Colchani is a small salt-processing village 20 km south of Uyuni. Remnants of a former era, the disused trains lie abandoned and rusting in the salty winds. The great expanse of the white stuff, divided into hexagonal salt tiles, creates an otherworldly landscape.
Make sure you know what the weather will be like before you book a tour and therefore what the landscape will look like. Also make sure you know exactly what the tour you are booking includes in terms of duration, accommodation options, guide and itinerary. Even if you decide to book a tour on arrival in Uyuni, try to do a little research on the company you choose and check reviews. You’ll need a warm sleeping bag (tour companies provide these, often at an additional charge), and don’t forget to pack warm clothing. Daytime can often feel pleasantly warm in the sun, but after it sets temperatures can easily plummet to around -10°C. If you’re booking a budget tour, expect there to be an additional cost.