There is a place in southwestern Bolivia where the area becomes a huge mirror. After rain, a thin layer of water transforms a 4,086-square-mile or 10,582-square-kilometer expanse of salt into a reflection of the sky. The Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat, and in the wet season, it becomes one of the most fascinating places on the planet.
What Is the Salar de Uyuni?
The Salar de Uyuni sits at almost 12,000 feet or 3,656 meters above sea level in the Potosí region of southwestern Bolivia. It formed from the transformation of prehistoric lakes that dried up over millennia, leaving a flat crust of salt with roughly 20% of the world's known lithium reserves sitting in the brine beneath the surface. The crust averages between 6 and 10 feet or 2 and 10 meters deep and is so flat that NASA uses it to calibrate satellite altimeters from space.
When to Visit
The Salar offers two completely different experiences depending on the season when you visit:
- Wet season (November–March): Rainfall creates the famous mirror effect where a little bit of water produces the reflections that make the Salar famous. This is also the season for the flamingo colonies that nest on the colored lagoons at the southern edge of the altiplano.
- Dry season (May–October): The salt crust is completely exposed with white hexagonal tiles stretching out. This is perfect for surreal perspective photos (using forced perspective to make humans look tiny) and for uncrowded exploration. This is also the season for clearer skies.
Getting There
The gateway town is Uyuni, a small town with no shortage of tour operators. There are flights that connect Uyuni to La Paz (~1 hour) and Sucre, or you can take an overnight bus from La Paz (10–12 hours). From Uyuni, all of the Salar visits are done by 4WD tours.
Tour Options
- Day tour: Covers the salt flat, Incahuasi Island (a cactus-covered coral island rising from the salt), and some perspective photography. Typically $30–$50 per person.
- Sunset/sunrise tour: The light on the Salar at these times is exceptional, think rosy pink and deep gold. The cost is slightly more than a standard day tour.
- 3-day Southwest Route: The classic Salar experience covers the salt flat and altiplano to the south with its colored lagoons (Laguna Colorada is red-pink from algae; Laguna Verde is turquoise-green from minerals), active geysers, geothermal hot springs, flamingo breeding grounds, and the Dalí Desert. It usually ends at San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. Expect to budget $100–$200 per person for a 3-day shared 4WD tour including basic accommodation.
Practical Tips
- Altitude: Uyuni sits at nearly 12,000 feet or 3,665m. Be sure to allow 1–2 days to acclimatize in La Paz or Sucre before visiting. Altitude sickness is real and you need to move slowly, stay hydrated, and consider acetazolamide.
- Temperature: Days can be warm in the sun, but nights on the altiplano drop well below freezing year-round. You will need to pack your cold-weather gear.
- Sunscreen: The reflectivity of the salt amplifies UV radiation significantly, and therefore SPF 50+ and sunglasses are essential even on cloudy days.
- Cash only: Uyuni operates almost entirely in cash Bolivianos. ATMs exist but are unreliable. Bring sufficient cash from La Paz.
- Photography: Bring a wide-angle lens if possible. A tripod is useful for wet-season reflections at dusk and dawn.