Bolivia, located in the heart of South America, offers diverse travel experiences that can be enjoyed on a budget. Immerse yourself in the Amazon rainforest for a unique encounter with nature, explore the colonial architecture and indigenous markets of La Paz, or visit Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. One must-do activity in Bolivia is exploring the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat. This breathtaking natural wonder attracts thousands of travellers each year, who come to marvel at the majestic salt flats spanning over 10,000 square kilometres. Most travellers spend 2-3 days exploring Salar de Uyuni and its surroundings, which provides ample opportunity to visit the salt flats, lagoons, and geysers. Here’s a closer look at this incredible natural wonder.
Salar de Uyuni, located in southwest Bolivia near the crest of the Andes, is a remarkable natural area set in a high-altitude environment. It is recognised as one of the most extreme and remarkable landscapes on Earth. It holds half of the world's lithium reserves and its vast, flat surface makes it an ideal location for calibrating satellite radar altimeters, which measure surface topography.
The salt flat was formed through the gradual evaporation of prehistoric lakes, leaving behind an extensive, flat salt crust. This vast area is believed to contain around 10 billion tons of salt. Beneath the crust lies a substantial pool of lithium-rich brine, making Salar de Uyuni a significant source of lithium, an essential element for modern technology.
For much of the year, the salt flats stretch out in a seemingly endless expanse of white, covering about 10,000 square kilometers (4,000 square miles). During the rainy season, water can fill parts of the salt flat, creating a stunning mirror-like effect.
NASA has published photographs of salt flats that are visible from space. An astronaut aboard the International Space Station captured an image of Salar de Coipasa and Salar de Uyuni. The salt flats, visible from low Earth orbit, display stark white hues that contrast sharply with the darker surrounding rock formations.
Salar de Uyuni has been a filming location for several movies. Most notably, it was used as the setting for Planet Crait in "Star Wars: The Last Jedi." Other films that have utilised Salar de Uyuni include "The Fall" (2006) and "Salt and Fire" (2016), among others.
The Salar de Uyuni is characterised by high salinity, low humidity, and a significant altitude, creating a challenging environment for most life forms. It hosts a unique and fragile ecosystem with limited but specialised plant and animal life. The salt crusts and brine pools support a rich diversity of microbial communities, including halophilic archaea and bacteria that have adapted to the high salinity and other extreme conditions. This area is home to some species that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth, highlighting the importance of its preservation.
The Salar de Uyuni serves as a breeding ground for three species of flamingos: the Chilean, Andean, and James's flamingos, which feed on local brine shrimp. Other bird species, mammals like llamas and vicuñas, and various rodents also inhabit the region.
The Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia offers a variety of activities, from exploring its vast salt flats to discovering the surrounding lagoons and volcanoes.
Walking across the salt flats allows you to truly appreciate the scale of the landscape and feel the texture of the salt crust underfoot. For the adventurous, cycling or hiking across the salt flats is possible, but requires preparation and experience in arid environments. You can also embark on a 4WD tour to experience the expansive salt flats.
Stargazing is an incredibly popular activity here due to the vast, flat expanse of the salt flat, the lack of light pollution, and the clear, dry air, resulting in stunning views of the Milky Way and other celestial bodies. The ideal time for stargazing is during the dry season (April to November) and particularly around new moon phases, when the skies are clear and dark.
Isla Incahuasi, also known as Cactus Island, is a small, rocky outcrop located in the middle of the Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat, in Bolivia. It's a unique landscape featuring giant cacti, some reaching over 10 meters tall, thriving amidst the harsh, salty environment. The island is a remnant of an ancient volcanic formation and was once part of a prehistoric lake.
The Train Cemetery, also known as "Cementerio de Trenes," is a significant tourist attraction near Uyuni, Bolivia, and within the Salar de Uyuni salt flats. It's a unique site featuring abandoned and rusted locomotives and train cars that have been left to decay in the harsh desert environment. The trains were used in the early 20th century to transport minerals and other goods but were abandoned when mining declined, and transportation technology changed.
A stunning red lagoon known for its flamingo population and unique colors caused by algae and sediments.
A hot spring area with geysers and steaming vents, offering a unique geological experience.
Relax in the thermal waters of the Polques Hot Springs after exploring the salt flats.
A prominent volcano in the region, it offers hiking opportunities and scenic views.
A unique geological feature characterised by small, eye-like holes in the salt flats.
A national reserve that showcases a diverse range of flora and fauna, including flamingos, vicuñas, and llamas.
You can also visit the charming salt-processing village of Colchani. This small village is home to Bolivia’s largest salt-processing cooperative. Many visitors enjoy stopping at the Salt Museum, a quaint space made of salt bricks that features a variety of carved sculptures. Be sure to check out the Dakar Rally monument located in Colchani, right at the edge of the salt flats.
From December to April, the wet season creates a stunning mirror effect across the salt flats. The dry season, which lasts from May to November, offers clear skies and the opportunity to observe the unique hexagonal salt patterns.
The Salar de Uyuni area has a relatively stable average temperature, peaking at 21 °C (70 °F) from November to January and dropping to a low of 13 °C (55 °F) in June. Nights are consistently cold throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from −9 to 5 °C (16 to 41 °F). January is the hottest month in Uyuni, with an average temperature of 15 °C (59 °F), while July is the coldest, averaging 12 °C (54 °F). December offers the most sunshine, with an average of 7 hours of sunlight per day. January is also the wettest month, receiving an average of 110 mm of rainfall.
When visiting the breathtaking salt flats, consider enhancing your experience by staying at a hotel made entirely of salt. The Palacio de Sal is renowned as the world's first salt hotel. Its remarkable design features walls, floors, furniture, and even igloo-shaped roofs constructed from salt blocks that are carefully harvested from the surrounding salt flat. The hotel’s interior showcases the artistry of local craftsmen, featuring intricate salt sculptures and designs that celebrate Bolivian culture.
The most popular starting point for exploring Salar de Uyuni is the town of Uyuni, especially for travellers coming from within Bolivia. Overnight buses from La Paz to Uyuni take around 8 hours and are a convenient and affordable option.
If you're travelling from Peru, the easiest route is via Peru Hop to La Paz, followed by the overnight bus to Uyuni.
For those coming from Chile, San Pedro de Atacama is the ideal gateway. 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.
Travellers with more time can opt for extended five- or nine-day tours from Salta, Argentina. Alternatively, shorter one- to three-day tours are available from Uyuni or Tupiza, depending on your onward travel plans.
