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How to Visit the Uyuni Salt Flats | Tours, Map, and Tips
If you're thinking about visit the Salar de UyuniWe'll tell you something: it's one of the most spectacular places in the world. No matter how many photos you've seen before, once you get there, you'll still be amazed.
Taking a tour of the Salar de Uyuni and its surroundings is not just about traveling kilometers of endless white, it also means discovering Colorful salt lakes, geysers, and deserts that look like they're from another planet.
In this guide We tell you everything you'll be glad to know: how to get there, what types of tours are available, what to see, the best time of year, which company we took it with, and other practical tips.
- What is the Salar de Uyuni and where is it?
- How to get to the Salar de Uyuni
- 📍What to see in the Salar de Uyuni (and surrounding areas)
- Types of Tours to the Uyuni Salt Flats + Prices
- Which company to use to visit the Salar de Uyuni?
- ⭐ Tips for visiting the Salar de Uyuni
- Our experience: 3-day Uyuni Salt Flats Tour
What is it and where is it? Uyuni Salt Flats
El Uyuni Salt Flats It is located in southwestern Bolivia, very close to the borders with Chile and Argentina. With an area of over 10.500 km², it is the largest salt desert in the world and one of the most impressive landscapes in South AmericaThe feeling of being there is indescribable. Think of it as more than 120 km wide by 100 km long, pure salt.
It was formed about 40.000 years ago, when ancient Andean lakes evaporated leaving this immense plain. Today it is famous for its beauty, especially during the rainy season, when it becomes an infinite natural mirror.
In recent years it has also been at the center of a debate on the possible extraction of lithium, since beneath its surface lies one of the largest reserves on the planet. This issue concerns local communities and environmentalists. We also saw this problem in the Salinas Grandes in Argentina, where local communities have been protesting for years. We hope that for many years to come. the Salar de Uyuni and its surroundings, such as the Eduardo Avaroa National Park, be protected and many people can enjoy it as we did.
After this brief introduction go for it! we tell you everything What you need to know to visit the Salar de Uyuni.
How to get to to the Salar de Uyuni
To visit the Salar de Uyuni You need to get to the town of Uyuni first. in the Bolivian Altiplano. There are two main ways to do this: by bus or by plane.
(I.e. How to get to to Uyuni by bus
✅ Recommended itinerary! Bolivia in 15 days to discover the best of the country From Uyuni to the Amazon rainforest, passing through the Andes.
The buses are the most popular and economical optionAdditionally, the Uyuni station is next to the tour offices. You can book tickets directly at the stations or online through websites like 12GoAsia o TicketBoliviaThe price will depend on the type of bus, If you can, choose a sleeper bus., it is much more comfortable and the price difference is small.
There is a direct connection from many cities in Bolivia, Below we leave you the main ones at a tourist level. Keep in mind that, if you can, the ideal is make the night journey to arrive in the morning and start the tour of the Uyuni salt flats that same day.
La Paz – Uyuni ⤹
The buses leave from downtown terminalThey're very comfortable and take between 9-11 hours. It's quite busy, so you shouldn't have any problem buying it in person, but if you prefer (although it's a bit more caro) are also available online. 💰The price is about 140 Bolivianos.
Potosí – Uyuni ⤹
Potosí It is located 4-5 hours away, the journey is made during the day and there is a lot of traffic so we recommend you buy it directly at the station, to do so you will have to go to the Potosí Terminal, Ex-Terminal. 💰 The price is about 40 Bolivianos.
You can read | What to see in Potosí
Sucre – Uyuni ⤹
The buses leave from Suburban Terminal and the journey takes 8-10 hours, so most companies leave at night. 💰The price is around 120 Bolivianos.
San Pedro de Atacama in Chile – Uyuni ⤹
Another common connection is San Pedro de Atacama, the ideal thing is that you take advantage of it Start the tour of the Salar de Uyuni from there., since you will save time on transfers.
If you prefer to go by bus you can take it on the small San Pedro de Atacama terminal. 💰 The price is about 40 euros and book when you arrive in the village because there are very little attendance.
Salta or Jujuy in Argentina – Uyuni ⤹
This was the route we took to visit the Salar de Uyuni, after touring northwest Argentina. First, you'll have to reach Villazón, the border town, cross on foot into Bolivia, and head to the La Quiaca Bus Terminal. 💰The price from La Quiaca is about 90 Bolivianos.
Much better than it buy directly there in case you have delays on the first bus or at the border.
✈️ How to get to to Uyuni by plane
Flying to Uyuni is the fastest option, but a lot more caraThe price is around €120 per trip, Skyscanner you can see the limited options.
- Departure airport: El Alto International Airport (LPB), 1 hour from La Paz.
- Arrival airport: Joya Andina Airport (UYU), in Uyuni, located just 5 km from the town center.
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📍What are you going to do? visit the Salar de Uyuni (and surrounding areas)
Now that you know how to get to the Salar de Uyuni, we'll tell you what month what you are going to visit during the tourIn the next section we tell you more about that types of tour, durations y Prices approximate. But I can tell you that the most popular is the 3-day one and that's why I've taken it as a reference for this section of What to see in the Salar de Uyuni and surrounding areas.
Map of what to see in the Salar de Uyuni and the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve
So that you can locatecar Okay, the places I'm going to talk about here are... route map.
Train Cemetery
Just outside Uyuni town, there is a stop at the Train Cemetery, a rather curious place where trains were abandoned. locomotives from the late 19th century that connected Bolivia with Chilean ports to export mining material.
Since all the tours visit at the same time, it tends to get crowded for about half an hour. If you're lucky enough to have your group arrive a little earlier or a little later, you'll have the locomotives almost to yourself.
Colchani and the Salt Museums
Before entering the salt flat, you visit the town of Colchani, where many of the families who live They work in the artisanal extraction of saltThe tour includes entry into one of the many workshops where you can learn how extraction and processing works.
You can also see some figures made of salt, and the town has many craft shops. It's a good place to buy an alpaca wool sweater.
Uyuni Salt Flats
We've reached the jewel in the crown! Exploring a vast expanse of white sand while listening to the salt crunch beneath the tires of your 4x4 and your feet. When you visit the Salar de Uyuni different stops are madeIt depends a bit on the weather, the guide, and whether it's the dry or rainy season. But these are the most common:
- Dakar Monument → a giant salt sculpture commemorating the rally's passage through Bolivia.
- Eyes of the Salt Flat → natural holes where groundwater flows.
- Playa Blanca Salt Hotel → The first to be built with salt blocks. Today, it's a curious stop, surrounded by flags.
- Incahuasi Island → A mound in the middle of the salt flat covered with giant cacti. It can only be reached when the salt flat is not flooded.
- Water mirror → even though it's not the rainy season, they try to searchcar a corner where there is water to see the mythical reflection.
- Photos with perspective → A stop that never fails on a visit to the Uyuni salt flats, a moment of laughter when the guide tells you how to position yourself so he can take photos of you from impossible perspectives.
Stone Desert Park
An area with huge rock formations from where you have views of the Tomasamil Hill, a volcano almost 6.000 meters high that dominates the horizon and makes the landscape spectacular.
Not far away, a stop is made at some rocks where they live vizcachas, an Andean rodent that resembles a rabbit. We also passed by a water area where many alpacas belonging to local families lived.
Lagunas Altiplánicas
Further south of the salt flat there are different lagoons where flamingos live Surrounded by a desert landscape that seemed so special to us. Walking along its shores was one of our favorite things about visiting the Salar de Uyuni and its surroundings.
There are different ones and depending on the guide and how much time you have, they will stop at one or the other. The ones that are usually not missing are: Cañapa Lagoon, Honda Lagoon and the most famous of all, Laguna Colorada in the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve.
Furthermore, on the third day, very close to the border with Chile, he also stops at green lagoon, which as its name indicates, if the right conditions are met, its water turns emerald green.
Stone Tree
A rock formation in the middle of the Siloli Desert which, with erosion, has taken the form of a solitary tree. The stone tree itself is one of the most iconic landscapes of the area, although for us the most epic part was the path to it through desert sand and volcanoes in the background, as well as the views from the tree.
Morning Sun Geyser
A geothermal area at almost 5.000 meters above sea level that is visited at dawn so that the fumaroles are very active with the thermal contrast of the cold outside.
Walking through Sol in the morning reminded us a lot of Hverir in northern Iceland and it was certainly a dawn not to be forgotten It was worth getting up early and being cold!
Polques Hot Springs
To warm up after sunrise, you can visit the Polques Hot Springs. natural hot springs at a perfect temperature in the middle of nature and overlooking a lagoon where flamingos liveWe thought it was an ideal place to spend an hour or two.
Salvador Dalí Desert
A desolate landscape with reddish and ochre tones that seem to be taken from a painting, which is why it has earned its name from the painter.
You see that You go with the idea of visiting the Uyuni salt flat, but the tour is much, much more..
Categories of Tours to the Uyuni Salt Flats + Pricing
Unless you have your own vehicle, the only option to visit the Salar de Uyuni and surroundings, is a organized tour. These tours are done in a Shared 4x4 for 6 people, plus a driver who also acts as a guide.
You'll usually share the car with other tourists. In our case, we were lucky and both our companions and guides were very nice, but these things are always a bit of a gamble. Also, keep in mind that It is not the most comfortable transport, It's a lot of sitting time And the back seat is especially cramped. It's normal to swap seats with your companions. Private seating is also available, but the price is almost triple.
What the Uyuni Salt Flats tours include
In addition to transportation and guidance, Tours of more than one day include meals and basic accommodation.. Outside of the price, only the tickets and some souvenirs or snacks are left. paid in cashThey'll remind you before the tour starts, so there's nothing to worry about.
- 💰 Eduardo Avaroa National Park (150 Bs)
- 💰 Incahuasi Island (40 Bs)
- 💰 Polques Hot Springs (10 Bs)
⚠️ A key point is the exchange rateWhen we traveled in 2025, there was a difference of more than 30% between the official exchange rate and the parallel market rate. (blue dollar). Carrying euros or dollars from home Exchanging them there and paying in Bolivianos made everything cheaper. Currently (January 2026) this difference has decreased, although it's still worth doing it this way; I recommend it. Check this before your trip to see what suits you best..
Half-day or full-day tour
It is the shortest option, it is limited to tour the Salar de Uyuni As such, the most popular spots include the eyes of the salt flat, Incahuasi Island (accessible during the dry season), or areas where the perfect reflection is formed. There are half-day tours lasting about 5 hours, and also full-day tours.
Depending on the time it starts, some visits are prioritized over others, without a doubt. the most beautiful thing is the sunset and stay to see the stars without any light pollution.
You can book once there, there are many departures and since it is only one day, it does not require prior planning or doing it from home through trusted portals like this one. Uyuni tour with Civitatis.
2-Day Tour of the Uyuni Salt Flats
Combine touring the Salar de Uyuni during the first day, with sleep in one of the salt hotels and the next day visit some nearby spots, usually hot springs and two salt lakes.
We would only recommend this tour to those who want to go a little further than the Salar de Uyuni, but I can't spend many hours driving for health reasons or families with small children because this route It does not reach so many meters above sea levelIf not, based on price and places to visit, we would do the full 3-day tour.
Just like the day tour, you can book in person or online, as This tour on Civitatis.
3-day tour, the most complete and popular
Our choice! And that of almost all tourists traveling to Bolivia. The 3-day tour of the Salar de Uyuni and surrounding areas is the most comprehensive and will allow you to see all the places we mentioned above in the "Special Offers" section. What to see in the Salar de Uyuni such as high plateau lagoons full of flamingos, desert landscapes, the Sol de la Mañana geysers and of course the incredible Salar.
The tours They start around 10 in the morning So you have time to get off your night bus and have breakfast to recharge your batteries at a café like Vainilla Café Pastelería.
Different alternatives on the 3-day tour
The tour to visit the Salar de Uyuni and surrounding areas in 3 days can be done in three different ways:
- Tour ending in UyuniOn the last day you will retrace your steps along a carThere's something more substantial to get back to Uyuni; it's about an 8-hour drive.
- Tour ending in San Pedro de AtacamaAfter visiting Laguna Verde, you'll be taken to the border crossing, where you'll go through Bolivian and Chilean immigration. On the other side, a van will take you to a scanner you'll have to pass through in Chile and to the town of San Pedro, just half an hour away.
If it fits on the route for us It's what makes the most senseThis is the one we chose, so you can read more in our experience section. - The third alternative is take the tour from San Pedro de Atacama, although something more carOr, from there, companies depart daily for the return trip. You can book a return trip to San Pedro or a one-way trip ending in Uyuni.
Add that there are also tours for Visit the Salar de Uyuni and its surroundings in 4 days, but we don't think it's worth it because you practically visit the same thing, extending stops, and we don't feel at all that the timescales were tight.
With which company visit the Salar de Uyuni
If you decide to hire a local agency directly in Uyuni, It is important to pay close attention to the reviews and ask in detail what the tour includes. There are many operators, and although the tours are very similar, the conditions of accommodation and quality of meals change and other services. These are the things I recommend you do. take a look and confirm:
- Second night's accommodation, it is usual for it to be in a shared room depending on availability (but not all companies do it this way).
- Sleeping bag or blanketsWe went in the summer, and the beds had two thick blankets. Not all companies include them; some charge extra.
- Car capacity, the 4x4s are for 6 people + guide, but we have heard cases of people who are very unhappy because they put in an extra passenger.
- Opinions on the food.
In our case we went with Salty Desert Adventures and the experience was great. We were very happy and we definitely recommend it.
You can also book online if you prefer to keep everything closed and be able to read verified reviews from other travelers. For price, good reviews and because we have an acquaintance who booked it with them, we recommend it to you. 3-Day Tour of the Uyuni Salt Flats from Civitatis.
⭐ Cadvice to visit the Salar de Uyuni
- Best timeDuring the rainy season (December–Mar), you can see the mirror effect; during the dry season (April–November), the salt hexagons and the opportunity to reach Incahuasi are particularly striking. Both seasons are worthwhile, so all year round is a good time.
- ClothingComfortable clothes during the day, warm clothes at night, also for sleeping.
- Solar protectionSunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, and a hat are essential; the sun at such an altitude is very strong.
- Footwear: Comfortable and you don't mind getting dirty during the rainy season.
- ClimateEven in summer the nights are cold, and in winter it is very, very cold.
- Cash: Bring enough cash for the National Park and anything you need to buy or if you want to tip the guide.
- ConnectionDuring the 3-day tours there is hardly any cell phone coverage or Wi-Fi, so bring a power bank. carGuard your devices in case the electricity doesn't work, which is common.
- Water and snacksThe distances are long and there's not always somewhere to buy food. We didn't go hungry at all, but if you eat many meals a day you'll appreciate some bread.car.
- Altitude sickness: Baby much water, and carries carCandy or chewing gum that helps relieve the sensation.
Our experience: 3-Day Uyuni Salt Flats Tour
I didn't want to end this article about visiting the Salar de Uyuni without sharing our personal experience. I can say that it was very good, we enjoyed it a lot, and It was three days that we would definitely love to repeat..
About Us We arrived in Uyuni after visiting the Salta and Jujuy regions. in Argentina and booked the 3-day tour ending in San Pedro de Atacama. But our Bolivian adventure didn't end there; a few days later we re-entered the country to explore some very interesting places such as peace o the Bolivian Amazon.
But let's get down to business with our experience on What it was like to visit the Salar de Uyuni!
We shared the tour with an Austrian girl, two Koreans, and a Canadian. Almost none of them speak Spanish, but they had booked the tour in Spanish because it was cheaper. We had a great time with them, as well as with Marvin, the guide.
Day 1 – Uyuni Salt Flats
El first day We visited the train cemetery, Colchani, and went straight to Incahuasi Island because that's what we decided as a group. We preferred to skip stops like the Dakar monument to spend more time in Incahuasi and touring the salt flat. It was quite special to be able to visit the island because it was actually the rainy season, and it shouldn't be accessible, but It had rained very little so the salt flat was dry.
Afterwards we made stops for photos and to enjoy the vastness before our bus guide...cara a good corner with reflection to watch the sunset (which was beautiful!) From there, we went to dinner and settled into one of the many hotels made from salt blocks in the area. The rooms were great and had private bathrooms.
Day 2 – Altiplanic Lagoons
The next day we started by exploring the rocks of the Piedra Desert, an area full of alpacas and some rocks where vizcachas live.
Later we headed to the Altiplanic lagoons where we were completely alone, We found the landscapes spectacular and saw lots of flamingos.After lunch (always delicious and cooked by Marvin!) we arrived at the stone tree, where what impressed us most were the views of the different volcanoes. The entire tour of Uyuni and its surroundings truly offers incredible views; you're surrounded by breathtaking landscapes the entire time.
We finished the visits of the second day at Laguna Colorada, another high plateau lagoon with reddish tones and full of flamingos. The guide drove for another hour, and we arrived at our accommodation, much more basic than the one the day before, but actually great. We had a private room and warm blankets.
Day 3 – Geysers, hot springs, and heading to Chile
The third and last day of the tour of the Salar de Uyuni and its surroundings we started while it was still night, under a heart-stopping starry sky, to reach the Morning Sun geyser before dawn, to meet and visit all its fumarolesAfter a good while there, we headed to the Polques hot springs, which we loved and were very reminiscent of the hot springs in Iceland. There, we spent an hour in the warm waters with views of flamingos.
Our last stop before reaching the border with Chile and saying goodbye to our guide It was Laguna Verde, although since there was no wind the water wasn't emerald-colored, the landscape was still beautiful. At the border, we left Bolivia and entered Chile, where a minibus was waiting for us to go through customs (⚠️Be careful with this, you cannot bring in any unpackaged food.) and take us to our accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama.
⚠️🚌 Are you looking for activities, free tours or excursions? Reserve them at Civitatis o GetYourGuide and save yourself the trouble! Oh, and don't forget to check out the promotions to get the best deals. Discounts on Civitatis.
If you still have questions about How to visit the Salar de Uyuni, you can leave them in the comments and we'll be happy to help. We hope this article has left you even more eager to make a Tour of the Uyuni Salt Flats and Eduardo Avaroa Reserve.
And if you are organizing your trip, don't miss our guides for travel to Bolivia independently, where you'll find more tips and route ideas.
Hello, congratulations on the blog, very good information. I think I read that there are also trains between La Paz and Uyuni, is that correct?
Hi roberto,
First of all, thank you for your message!
Regarding your question, it's true that there are some trains for specific routes in Bolivia, but they aren't very reliable and run infrequently. We actually bought tickets to leave from Uyuni, but a few days before, we received an email saying that the only train they had for that route was out of service. It sounds like a fun experience, but actually getting on one of those trains is difficult.
If you're convinced, you can check the ticketsbolivia website where they have schedules and you can buy tickets for both trains and buses.
A greeting!