A Uyuni Salt Flats Tour is a must-do on everyone’s Bolivia itinerary!
Uyuni Salt Flats (also known as Salar de Uyuni) is the world’s largest salt flat, stretching for more than 11,000km². It truly is one of the most remarkable vistas on planet earth!
I spent one full day exploring the incredible Bolivia Salt Flats and have put together this detailed guide with everything you need to know about the Uyuni Salt Flats Tour including where to book and what to expect.
Table of Contents
WHERE IS SALAR DE UYUNI?
The Uyuni Salt Flats are so massive that it actually crosses the borders of three countries in South America – Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.
Click here to see the location on Google maps.
Most Salar de Uyuni tours operate out of Uyuni in Bolivia, a small dusty town approximately 540kms south of La Paz.
HOW TO GET TO SALAR DE UYUNI
There are two options to consider when looking at how to get to Salar de Uyuni and they are by bus or plane.
Bus from La Paz to Uyuni:
The cheapest and most common way of reaching Uyuni is by taking an overnight bus from La Paz to Uyuni and the journey takes around 8 hours.
I personally traveled on Cruz del Sur bus lines and booked my ticket directly from the counter on the day of travel at Terminal De Buses Lapaz. You can then travel back from Uyuni to La Paz by bus after the one-day Salt Flats Tour.
La Paz to Uyuni flights:
A faster and more convenient way of reaching Salar de Uyuni is by taking a 50-minute flight from La Paz to Joya Andina Airport in Uyuni. La Paz to Uyuni flights operates on a daily basis.
Uyuni Salt Flat
Bolivia Salt Flats Tour
WHERE TO BOOK A UYUNI SALT FLATS TOUR?
There are dozens of tour operators and offices located in both Uyuni and La Paz to book a Uyuni Tour, but in my experience, it can be overwhelming trying to decide which operator to book a tour through without being ripped off.
Alternatively, you can book your tour online in advance to avoid the hassle of having to organize a trip once you have arrived.
I recommend finding a tour that best suits you on the Get Your Guide website. They have thousands of travel deals worldwide that are affordable and reliable!
Click Here to search for all Salar Uyuni Tours and book online ahead of time.
The world’s biggest mirror – Salar Uyuni Tour
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE TOUR
A one-day Uyuni Salt Flat Tour not only includes a 4×4 trip out onto the world’s largest salt flat but also a visit to the Uyuni Train Cemetery, lunch at a local restaurant, salt museum and village markets, Hotel de Sal (the world’s first salt hotel), giant cacti at Incahuasi island and an unforgettable sunset at the largest mirror in the world!
The tour begins at 10 am and finishes after sunset at around 6 pm.
Book Now → Uyuni Salt Flats Tour
BEST TIME TO VISIT BOLIVIA SALT FLATS
The best time to visit Bolivia Salt Flats, funnily enough, is in the rainy season which is December to April in order to witness the reflective mirror effect on the salt flats.
During the dry season in May to November, temperatures are much cooler and the ground hardens.
The peak season is typically from June to August and prices are known to rise during this time.
SALAR DE UYUNI FACTS
Before visiting, here are some Salar de Uyuni facts you may find interesting:
- Uyuni altitude is 3, 700m above sea level
- The salt flats measure 11,000km² making it the world’s largest salt flat
- 11 billion tonnes of salt are believed to be within Salar de Uyuni
- NASA uses Uyuni Salt Flats to figure out the positioning of its satellites
- Formed by prehistoric lakes that evaporated long ago
- Pink flamingos have been spotted at Uyuni
Exploring the train cemetery
Uyuni Tour
Train Cemetery – Uyuni Tour
The village markets – Salar de Uyuni Tour
Inside the Hotel de Sal – Bolivia Salt Flats
Incahuasi Island
The world’s biggest mirror
LA PAZ ACCOMMODATION
La Paz has hundreds of accommodation options to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of my favorite places to stay in La Paz to fit the needs of budget backpackers and luxury travelers.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Tecno Boutique Hotel
Tecno Boutique Hotel, a modern 5-star hotel centrally located in La Paz, provides air-conditioned rooms with flat-screen TVs and private bathrooms, a fitness center, hot tub, sauna, in-house restaurant, room service, and free WiFi. A buffet breakfast is also included with the room. Perfect for travelers with a larger budget.
Mid Range: Selina La Paz
Selina La Paz is perfect for families, couples, and solo travelers! Great location in La Paz offering double, triple, and dormitory rooms at an affordable price. Selina also features a billiards table, in-house restaurant, and bar for all guests. This is a 3-star accommodation.
Budget: The Rooftop Bolivia
The Rooftop Bolivia is rated one of the best accommodations in La Paz for budget travelers. Featuring a bar, shared lounge, city views, restaurant, shared kitchen, free wifi, and a nightclub! The Rooftop has dorms and private rooms available and breakfast is included.
For all other La Paz accommodations, Click Here to search on Booking.com
Hotel de Sal – Salar Uyuni Tour
WHAT TO PACK FOR BOLIVIA
When visiting Bolivia, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you;
- Sunscreen – the Bolivian sun is very strong, so make sure to pack some high-quality sunscreen.
- Quick-dry travel towel – the most compact and lightweight towel for traveling.
- Reusable water bottle – stay hydrated by bringing along a reusable water bottle.
- Backpack – The Nomatic 30L Travel Pack is the ultimate backpack for everyday adventures.
If you’re interested in taking awesome photos and videos on your travels, this is the camera gear that I use and recommend;
- GoPro HERO10 – the most popular camera on the planet for action-packed adventures.
- Canon EOS R – perfect for traveling, this is the most affordable, compact camera on the market.
- DJI Mini 3 Pro – take your photos and videos to new heights with this user-friendly drone camera.
MORE CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA TRAVEL GUIDES
- Mexico: 4 Week Mexico Itinerary
- Cuba: 10 Day Cuba Itinerary
- Peru: Backpacking Peru – 3 Week Itinerary
- Bolivia: Things To Do In Bolivia
- Brazil: 2 Day Rio De Janeiro Itinerary
- Argentina: Things To Do In Argentina
- Chile: Things To Do In Chile
TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!
- BOOKING.COM – search and book accommodation worldwide
- SKYSCANNER – compare and book cheap flights to anywhere
- VIATOR – find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world
- BOOKAWAY – book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance
- RENTAL CARS – search all rental cars in your next destination
- GROUP TRIPS – join one of my epic small group trips
- TRAVEL INSURANCE – purchase World Nomads travel insurance
- TRAVEL MONEY CARD – get a Wise card today for free
Looking for more? Check out my Travel Resources page for further help with your trip planning!
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you have any questions about Salar de Uyuni, please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can. For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
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