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.
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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. Though most Salar de Uyuni tours operate out of Uyuni in Bolivia, a small dusty town approximately 540kms south of La Paz.
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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 the Uyuni Salt Flats 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 operate on a daily basis.
Search All ∼ Flights to Uyuni on Skyscanner.com
Uyuni Salt Flats Tour
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 Uyuni Salt Flats Tour online in advance to avoid the hassle of having to organise 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!
I personally booked my Uyuni Salt Flats Tour with Madre Tierra Travel, an adventure tour company that offers dozens of tours throughout South America.
The world’s biggest mirror – Salar Uyuni Tour
Can you spot your flag?! – Salar De Uyuni Tours
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE UYUNI SALT FLATS TOUR
A one-day Uyuni Salt Flats Tour not only includes a 4×4 trip out on to 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 Uyuni Salt Flats 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 for Uyuni Salt Flats Tours 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
- Uyuni salt flats measures 11,000km² making it the world’s largest salt flat
- 11 billion tonnes of salt is believed to be within Salar de Uyuni
- NASA uses Uyuni Salt Flats to figure out the positioning of their satellites
- Formed by prehistoric lakes that evaporated long ago
- Pink flamingos have been spotted at Uyuni Salt Flats
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Train Cemetery – Uyuni Tour
Uyuni Salt Flats Tour
The village markets – Salar de Uyuni Tour
Hotel de Sal – Salar Uyuni Tour
Inside the Hotel de Sal – Bolivia Salt Flats
Incahuasi Island – Uyuni Salt Flats Tour
Giant cacti on Incahuasi island – Uyuni Tour
4×4 cruisin’ on the Uyuni Salt Flats Tour
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 TV’s and private bathrooms, a fitness centre, hot tub, sauna, in-house restaurant, room service and free WiFi. A buffet breakfast is also included with the room. Perfect for travellers with a larger budget.
Mid Range: Selina La Paz
Selina La Paz is perfect for families, couples and solo travellers! 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 travellers. 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 accommodation, Click Here to search on Booking.com
SALAR DE UYUNI MAP
AIRBNB BOLIVIA
Another option for accommodation in Bolivia is to stay at an Airbnb, which generally has some great deals!
Get your $40 Airbnb discount here!
JOIN MY FACEBOOK TRAVEL TRIBE
Do you have any questions about the Uyuni Salt Flats Tour?
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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
LONELY PLANET – PERU
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WHAT TO PACK FOR BOLIVIA
Everyday Backpack: One of the best backpacks on the market! The Nomatic 20L Backpack is perfect for on the go adventures. Featuring multiple storage spaces for valuables, drink bottles, chargers, notebooks and more. This sleek backpack was designed for you.
Universal Power Adapter: Don’t leave home without one! I highly recommend getting this Universal Power Adapter so that you are able to charge all of your electronics when you’re on the road. Compatible in Asia, UK, Europe, Africa, USA, SA and Australia.
Hidden Money Belt: I never go on a trip without one! The best thing is they are always out of sight, hidden beneath your clothing. With RFID blocking, they are perfectly designed to keep your credit cards, cash and other valuables safe when you’re out adventuring!
Waterproof Phone Case: A waterproof phone case is a must-have item! This universal case will keep your phone safe from water damage, sand and scratches during your adventures. Suitable for all smartphone models.
Portable Charger: One of the best portable chargers on the market! The Anker Power Bank keeps your phone and accessories charged on those longer adventures. Featuring 2 USB charging ports, rechargeable battery, works with iPhone, iPad, Samsung, Oppo and Android.
Microfibre Travel Towel: To pack a towel or not to pack a towel? A standard bathroom towel can take up a lot of space in your travel bag. Get your hands on a quick-dry Microfibre Travel Towel which is perfect for the beach, backpacking, camping and general traveling.
Rain Jacket: A light-weight rain jacket is an absolute must when traveling! North Face waterproof rain jackets come in both men and women sizes, featuring a breathable mesh lining and adjustable hood that can be tucked away inside the collar.
Kindle: The best alternative for books! Kindle e-readers are perfect for long haul flights, reading on the beach or a quiet evening away from the bars. Kindle’s are waterproof with rechargeable batteries and adjustable light settings to suit indoor/outdoor conditions.
Packing Cubes: My favorite item in my backpack! Perfect for organizing your shirts, pants, jackets, socks, underwear and more. This 5 Set Packing Cubes makes packing easier and more efficient, adding extra space in your bag for your next trip.
Activated Charcoal Tablets: Want to avoid food poisoning? Most of us have been a victim of travelers diarrhea from eating street food. Organic Activated Charcoal Tablets are fast-acting and will rid your system of the bad bacteria that causes stomach upset.
MY CAMERA GEAR
Everyday Camera: The most affordable mirrorless camera on the market! I personally use the Sony A7ii Mirrorless Camera on all of my adventures. It’s compact, lightweight and super easy to use for all levels of photography. A 28-70mm Sony lens is also included.
Drone Camera: Take your photography to new heights! The DJI Mavic Pro 2 Drone is at the top of the game when it comes to high-quality images and video, easy to control functions and traveler-friendly capabilities. I guarantee you won’t regret purchasing one.
GoPro Hero 8: One of the most popular cameras on the planet! I love using the GoPro Hero 8 for all of my underwater shots and fast-paced adventures. The GoPro Hero 8 captures the best moments with its wide range of functions that are very simple to use!
Camera Bag: My favorite camera bag I have ever owned! The Lowepro Protactic 450 AW II Camera Bag features a waterproof rain cover, drink bottle holder, padded compartments for cameras, drones, lenses, accessories and it also has a laptop pocket.
Selfie Stick: Everyone loves a good selfie, right!? The Sandmarc Metal Edition Selfie Stick is sleek, stylish and can extend to 1.2m. I find it much easier to take photos and videos with the GoPro when it is mounted to the Sandmarc Selfie Stick!
Camera Tripod: The Joby GorillaPod is suitable for all cameras. This tripod is easy to use and perfect for setting up a time-lapse video or even using it as a selfie stick. The legs are flexible so you can wrap it around a tree or a pole to get creative with your shot.
GoPro Dome: Have you ever wanted to capture those under/over water shots with the GoPro? This epic underwater GoPro dome housing is the best camera accessory to have to create the perfect 50/50 shot. I use mine every time I am in the ocean!
Memory Card: The best thing about SanDisk Extreme Pro is that it delivers maximum speed for images and videos. Having 64GB of storage means that you can store hundreds of files on this SD card for 2-3 days and not have to worry about running out of space.
External Hard Drive: As a photographer, my images and video files take up a lot of space on my MacBook so I use the WD Elements External Hard Drive to store everything. With 4TB worth of storage space, this is more than enough for 1 years worth of content.
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MY SHOP
Before you go, don’t forget to check out My Online Shop!
I’ve got a wide range of digital products for sale and I’m sure you’ll find something that will come in handy during your travels!
SEE MORE → MY SHOP
FINAL THOUGHTS OF UYUNI SALT FLATS TOUR
Thanks for reading this article and if you have any questions at all about the Uyuni Salt Flats Tour, please leave me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Happy Travels!
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