What is Salar de Uyuni
Have you ever stood on a white plain so vast it feels like the sky has folded into itself? That’s what it’s like when you visit the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia’s enormous salt flat that stretches as far as your eyes can see.
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). It’s a vast expanse of salt stretching to the horizon. It’s an absolute must-visit if you’re exploring Bolivia and South America. I spent three months travelling around Bolivia, and my trip to Salar de Uyuni was the real highlight.
Where is Salar de Uyuni
Salar de Uyuni is located in southwestern Bolivia, in the province of Potosi, close to the Argentinian and Chilean borders. Due to the proximity to these international borders, many travelers either start or end their time in Bolivia at Salar de Uyuni.
Can you visit Salar de Uyuni without a tour?
I am not a fan of commercial tours and wanted to experience Salar de Uyuni independently. You can explore the Uyuni salt flats on your own, but after doing research and weighing the pros and cons, we decided to join a standard 3-day tour.
When deciding whether you want to explore Salar de Uyuni on your own or as part of a tour, you need to consider these points:
- You can visit Salar de Uyuni without a tour; you don’t need special permission, and there aren’t major restrictions.
- You can go by car or bicycle, either on your own or rented. Car rental is expensive. For solo or pair travellers, it often costs more than joining a tour.
- Fuel shortages: Bolivia is currently facing a serious fuel supply crisis. In 2025, you often see long queues at petrol stations because of diesel and petrol shortages. The locals say the queues last 2-3 days.
- Salt is damaging for vehicles: rental companies might prohibit taking their vehicles to salt flats, and you might not want to drive on salt flats.
- Salar de Uyuni is best accessed by a 4WD, especially during the wet season. Besides, to reach locations beyond Salar de Uyuni, you have to drive on unsealed roads, some of which are in bad condition. If you decide to drive, it is better to have an off-road driving experience.
- If you decide to drive, you will need to know where to drive. There are no roads and no road signs on the Uyuni salt flats, so you need to do your homework.
- Salar de Uyuni tours are incredibly affordable.
Advantages of a Guided Tour
Exploring Salar de Uyuni on a guided tour turned out to be a better option than doing it on your own, mostly in terms of costs and the ability to get to all the stunning locations in the area within the allocated time. Besides, you don’t have to worry about driving, accommodation, or meals. The meals were great, and we were always left with more than we could manage.
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. These locations are remote, so arranging everything on your own is harder and more expensive.
Options for Exploring Salar de Uyuni without a Tour
However, if you prefer to visit Salar de Uyuni without a tour, you can do so:
By car: 4WD is the best option.
By bicycle. You can rent a bicycle in Uyuni. You should be an experienced cyclist and be prepared for long distances. Keep the high altitude, strong sun, and wind in mind. We saw a couple of people cycling on the Uyuni salt flats. It’s a good way to explore Uyuni salt flats as long as you don’t plan to cycle further to the altiplano.
So definitely, it’s not a good idea to ride beyond the flats to the other tour destinations, as the roads are unsealed, traffic can be heavy, and it gets extremely dusty. On the way from the Uyuni Salt Flats to the flamingo lagoons, we passed a few tourists cycling along the road. They were visibly struggling and choking on the dust kicked up by the tour vehicles. We were inside a car and honestly felt really sorry for them.
By bus (the cheapest option). You can catch a local bus to Colchani. In Colchani, there are several hostels, a couple of salt museums, and a souvenir market where all tours stop by. From Colchani, you walk on the salt flats to the Dakar Monument and Flag Monument. It is about 12 km one way. Please plan to leave the salt flats before it gets dark; it may be dangerous, as there are no roads in the salt flats, and drivers may not see you in the dark.
Salar de Uyuni Tours
Salar de Uyuni Tours Starting Points
1. Uyuni, Bolivia
Most tours to Salar de Uyuni start from the small town of Uyuni. It is located a short drive from the edge of the Uyuni salt flats. We got there by night bus from La Paz. Alternatively, you can fly to Uyuni.
Tour options from Uyuni include 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day tours that end either in Uyuni or in San Pedro de Atacama (Chile). After researching all three, we chose the 3-day tour, as it’s the only one that includes Laguna Colorada and other flamingo-filled lagoons, which you really can’t miss.
A 1-day tour from Uyuni is the cheapest option to explore Salar de Uyuni. You’ll follow the same itinerary as the first day of the 2-day and 3-day tours.
A 2-day tour from Uyuni covers everything included in the 1-day tour. Some tours include an overnight stay near the salt flats, while others return to Uyuni the same day. The second-day itinerary varies between agencies: some tours visit Tunupa Volcano, while others go to the Salar de Chiguana or the Ollagüe Volcano viewpoint.
If you have enough time, I highly recommend taking a 3-day tour. The second day includes mind-blowing Laguna Colorada and other stunning lagoons filled with flamingoes. You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to spot vicuñas. Unfortunately, standard 2-day tours don’t include these highlights.
In Uyuni, there are plenty of travel agencies offering Salar de Uyuni tours. I recommend booking in person, as it’s usually cheaper. Booking online tends to cost more.
2. Tupiza, Bolivia
Tupiza is another starting point for alternative Salar de Uyuni tours. It’s located near the Argentine border and a bit farther from the Uyuni salt flats. The tours end in Uyuni and take four days.
3. San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Another option is to start in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, and end in Uyuni. The itinerary is similar to the standard 3-day tour, just in reverse, but this route is usually more expensive.
3-Day Salar de Uyuni – what to expect?
Things to Know Before Choosing a Tour
I’ve done the 3-day Salar de Uyuni tour twice with different agencies, eight years apart, in 2017 and 2025. So, below are a few points to know before choosing a tour.
Before booking a tour, I recommend reading agency reviews, as I came across some reports of negligent and drunk driving, and vehicles in poor condition.
Most tours are conducted in 4WD vehicles, with the driver also acting as the guide. The itineraries are fairly similar across different agencies. Some guides act mainly as drivers, while others are more enthusiastic and share lots of interesting information along the way.
Group size
Expect to be 6 people in a vehicle. Some agencies encourage rotating seats so everyone has a chance to sit in more comfortable seats, and some people are happy to do it, others aren’t. It’s worth mentioning that you will spend most of your time in the car.
Tour Language
Tours with Spanish-speaking guides cost less. We chose a Spanish-speaking tour, and our basic Spanish was more than enough. But if you need an English-speaking guide, make sure to ask before booking and be prepared to pay extra.
High Altitude
The tour takes you through elevations ranging from about 3,600 m to 4,800 m. Don’t underestimate the altitude and make sure to acclimatise before taking a tour.
Accommodation
By default, the tour price includes basic shared accommodation, but you can pay extra (250-320 Bs) for a private room with a private bathroom. When I did a tour eight years ago, the accommodation was basic. Bathrooms were shared with an extra payment if you want to take a shower. No towels and toiletries are provided, so make sure to take your own. On the second night, the toilets were terrible
When we did a tour in 2025, we paid extra for private rooms. The first night’s accommodation (salt hotel) was very clean and comfortable, with fresh bedsheets, towels, and toilet paper provided. The second night was simpler but still decent, considering it was in a remote location far from Uyuni. On both nights, we had a hot shower. It was really worth paying the extra 250 Bs for the comfort.
Food
On both tours, the food was great, and there was plenty of it — we couldn’t even finish everything. Drinks were provided with meals, usually water and Coke, and dinners often came with red wine. Make sure to bring some drinks and snacks from Uyuni, as everything is more expensive once you’re on the road, and not always available.
Day 1 – Salar de Uyuni
Most tour agencies start their tours at 10.30 am.
Train Cemetery
A place with a lot of wrecked old steam locomotives.
Colchani
Colchani is a village 7 km north of Uyuni. Most locals make their living from salt production. There isn’t much to see here: just a small salt-processing museum and a souvenir market.
Salt-Mining Area
This is the area where salt is dug up, piled into large pyramid-shaped mounds, and left to dry in the sun.
Dakar Monument and Flags
The Dakar monument is made of salt, and the flags were left by travelers during their visits.
Lunch at Salt Hotel
The hotel and all furniture are made of salt.
Perspectives photos
Salar de Uyuni is a paradise for photographers. Except for two cacti-filled islands, Salar de Uyuni is completely flat, creating an endless horizon perfect for fun perspective shots.
Standard tours allow time for taking perspective photos. On both tours our drivers found spots with no one else around and brought dinosaur toys and wine bottles to use in the shots.
Tips for Epic Perspective Photos at Salar de Uyuni
- Put the camera closer to the prop.
- Shoot from the ground level – it is better to lie down.
- Models and props should be 5-15 m apart.
- Typical Uyuni props: toy dinos, wine bottles, boots, Pringles cans, cups, and backpacks.
- Watch your shadows – position models and toys so the shadows fall behind them.
- You can take a video and then screenshot instead of taking photos – it will be easier for people to pose.
Isla Incahuasi
Isla Incahuasi is an island located in the middle of Salar de Uyuni and covered with giant cacti. The place is quite busy. It’s a popular and busy spot. There’s a short walk to the top of the island, and the entry fee is 30 Bs (not included in the tour price). Some people decide to skip Isla Incahuasi and just walk around it to save 30 Bs, but I think it’s money well spent. The island is full of giant cacti, it’s awesome seeing them up close. And the views of the salt flats from up there are absolutely incredible.
Another cacti-filled island on Salar de Uyuni is Isla Pescado, which is a smaller island. Some tours go here instead of Isla Incahuasi. There are usually fewer tourists and no entry fee.
Sunset at Salar de Uyuni
If you want to see the sunset at the Salar de Uyuni, ask your travel agency whether it’s included. 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.
On our 2025 tour, the sunset was included in the itinerary, and we had wine and snacks while watching the sunset.
Accommodation
2017 Tour: By default, the tour price includes basic shared accommodation. In 2017, on the first night, we stayed in private rooms in a salt hotel. Bathrooms are shared with an extra payment if you want to take a shower. No towels and toiletries are provided, so make sure to take your own.
2025 Tour: This time, we paid extra (normally, tour agencies ask for 250-320 Bs) for a private room with a private bathroom. The first night’s stay in a salt hotel was very clean and comfortable, with fresh bedsheets, towels, and toilet paper provided. The second night was simpler but still decent, given its remote location far from Uyuni. We had a hot shower on both nights.
Day 2 – Heading south to Laguna Colorada
On Day 2, we had breakfast at 6 am and headed towards Salar de Chiguana at 7 am.
Salar de Chiguana
Another salt flat close to the Chilean border, Salar de Chiguana is a little sister of Salar de Uyuni.
Ollague volcano
Ollague volcano is a massive andesite stratovolcano on the border between Bolivia and Chile. Its elevation is 19,251 ft/ 5,868 m above sea level. It’s considered active, and there are a couple of fumaroles blowing steam up. But no eruptions have been registered.⠀
Laguna Cañapa and Laguna Hedionda
There are five lagoons between Ollague volcano and Siloli Desert: Lagunas Cañapa, Laguna Hedionda, Laguna Chiar Khota, Laguna Honda, and Laguna Ramaditas.
You can spot flamingos at these lagoons, but Laguna Hedionda and Laguna Cañapa have the most.
Laguna Chiar Khota
Laguna Chiar Khota was dry. We didn’t see flamingos, but we did see vicuñas.
Laguna Honda
Laguna Honda is another stunning lagoon, with some flamingos far off. They appear as small, pinkish spots in the photo below.
Roca de Viscachas
Viscachas are small, rabbit-like Andean rodents with bushy tails that are often seen on the rocks.
We visited this spot on the 2025 tour. I don’t think this stop was included in tours eight years ago. Here, you can see these adorable Andean animals up close, but sadly, people feed them human food, and some of the viscachas don’t look healthy.
Siloli Desert and Arbol de Piedra
The Siloli Desert sits north of Laguna Colorada and is considered part of the Chilean Atacama Desert. The famous Árbol de Piedra is located here, in the center of Siloli.
Árbol de Piedra, or Stone tree, is a rock formation about 5 meters tall that resembles a tree. Personally, I think it looks more like a giant mushroom. Its unusual shape was formed over time by strong winds eroding the sandstone.
Laguna Colorada
Laguna Colorada, or the Red Lagoon, is a shallow salt lake home to thousands of flamingos. It sits at an altitude of 14,000 ft/ 4,270 m in Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve, close to the Chilean border.
According to the local folklore, the water in Laguna Colorada is the blood of the Gods. In reality, its deep red color comes from red sediments and the pigments of algae and microorganisms living in the lake.
Note that to enter Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa, you need to pay an entrance fee of Bs 150 (not included in the tour price).
Accommodation
2017: On the second night, we stayed in a refuge, sharing a dorm room with the other people from our tour. It was pretty cold, but the refuge provides plenty of blankets. If you prefer more privacy, you can pay extra for a private room. Check with your agency when you book a tour.
2025: This time, we paid extra for a private room with a private bathroom. The second night was simpler but still decent, considering it was in a remote location far from Uyuni. We had a hot shower on both nights. Electricity was on from 7 pm to 10 pm. Make sure to charge your devices during this time.
Day 3 – On the way back to Uyuni
On Day 3, we had an early start with a quick breakfast at 4.20 am and left at 5 am.
Sunrise at Solar de Manaña geysers
Solar de Manaña geysers are located at an altitude of more than 15,912 ft/ 4,850m. It is a geothermal field with boiling mud pools and steaming fumaroles. This spot is always scheduled for early morning, as the geysers are most active around sunrise.
Hot Springs
Next stop is the hot springs. So don’t forget to take a swimsuit, a towel, and flip-flops. The water is about 29 degrees Celsius and contains minerals that relieve the symptoms of arthritis and rheumatism. The entrance fee is 10-15 Bs. The changing facilities are available.
There is some variation in which hot springs are included in Uyuni tours, depending on the agency.
Polques Hot Springs are the most common hot springs stop on 3-day Uyuni tours. We visited these hot springs on our 2017 tour.
Challviri Hot Springs are tucked away near Laguna Challviri and are much quieter and usually less visited. On our 2025 tour, we practically had the place to ourselves and enjoyed it more, as there was only one other group besides us. To add to the experience, we could see flamingos at Laguna Challviri.
Salvador Dali Desert
This surreal, barren, wind-swept swath of land resembles the landscapes from Salvador Dali’s paintings.
Colored Lagoons and Licancabur Volcano
Laguna Blanca (White Lake) has a milky white color due to the high concentration of minerals, mostly borax.
Laguna Verde (Green Lake) turns green when strong winds lift the sediments of arsenic, copper, lead, and other minerals from the bottom of the lake. So there is no guarantee the lake will be green when you come there.
In the morning, when most tours come to Laguna, you won’t see the emerald green color. On our first tour in 2017, although it wasn’t windy at all, the lake had a greenish tint. On 2025 tour, it was very windy, and Laguna Verde had a bright green color. Unfortunately, our tour didn’t take us right to the lagoon; we could only see it from far away.
Valle de Rocas
Here you will see interesting rock formations shaped by wind erosion.
Best time to visit Salar de Uyuni
During the dry season, a thick crust of salt, covered with polygonal patterns, stretches to the horizon.
But in the wet season, a thin layer of water transforms the surface into the world’s largest mirror, reflecting the blue altiplano sky and the clouds.
The best time to visit Salar de Uyuni depends on what you want to see.
If you want to have a chance to see the beautiful mirror effect, you should visit in the wet season, which is from December to March. But keep in mind that even in this season, there is no guarantee you will see the reflective effect. The highest chances of seeing the mirror effect are January to February. Also, if there are heavy rains, keep in mind that some places become inaccessible.
If you don’t like rain and prefer dry weather, visit between May and November. But note that it will be colder, especially at night.
Salar de Uyuni Altitude
Remember that Salar de Uyuni sits at a high altitude: 11,995 ft / 3,656 m. Some locations of the tour have even higher altitudes: Laguna Colorado is at an altitude of 14,100 ft/ 4,278 m, and Solar de Manaña geysers at 15,912 ft/ 4,850 m.
Take altitude seriously, and make sure you acclimatize properly before a tour to fully enjoy the beauty of Salar de Uyuni.
What to pack for Salar de Uyuni trip
Salar de Uyuni is a remote place, so make sure you pack these essentials:
Towel and toiletries – these are not provided in standard tour salt hotels and refuges.
Cash – you will need cash to pay for bathrooms (As of 2025, in most places, bathrooms cost 5Bs) and entry to Isla Incahuasi (30Bs in 2025), and Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa (150Bs in 2025).
Swimming suit and flip flops for hot springs.
Torch – you might need it when you go to the bathroom on the second night. The lights did not work where we stayed.
Warm clothes – the altitude is high, and it gets quite cold at night, and below zero in winter months (June to August). Don’t forget to pack warm socks, gloves, thermal underwear, a hat, a warm jacket, etc.
A rain jacket if you go during the wet season.
Sleeping bag – winter nights are cold. You are provided blankets in hotels and refuges, but a down sleeping bag will make your sleep more comfortable.
Sunblock, lip balm with SPF, and sunglasses – the sun is very harsh at high altitudes.
Snacks and water/drinks – food is provided, but in case you want extra in between the meals, pack some snacks and drinks. Drinking water and drinks are more expensive than in the town of Uyuni.
Toys, bottles, etc, to take fun perspective photos. Tour companies usually provide Dinosaur toys and wine bottles.
Salar de Uyuni FAQ
The best time to see the mirror effect at Salar de Uyuni is during the wet season, which is from December to March. But conditions to see perfect reflections are most reliable from January to February.
Yes, you can visit Salar de Uyuni independently without booking an organized tour. No special permission is required to enter the Uyuni salt flats. You can explore the flats by yourself using your own vehicle, rent a car, cycle, or take a local bus part of the way and walk out onto the flats.
However, there are a few important considerations: fuel shortages in Bolivia and long queues can make independent travel difficult, car rental companies may prohibit taking vehicles onto the salt, and there are no marked roads or signs on the flats, so good navigation skills and preparation are essential.
Most travelers spend 1 to 3 days at Salar de Uyuni, depending on what you want to see.
1–day tour is enough to visit the salt flats, see the hexagon patterns, take perspective photos, and stop at Incahuasi Island (Incahuasi is not available in the wet season).
2–days tour: Day One is the same itinerary as the 1-day tour, and additionally includes sunset on the salt flats. Day Two: depending on your agency itinerary, you will visit Tunupa Volcano, Salar de Chiguana, or the Ollagüe Volcano viewpoint.
3 days (I highly recommend this option) lets you continue further into the Bolivian Altiplano, where you’ll see colorful lagoons, flamingos, vicuñas, geysers, hot springs, and the Salvador Dali Desert. This is the most popular itinerary and absolutely worth your time and money.
Catch a local bus to Colchani (this is a stop on tours to visit a salt museum). From Colchani you can walk 12 km to get to the Dakar Monument and Flags Monument. There are several hostels in Colchani, so you can stay overnight there.
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