Uyuni Salt Flats: A Bumpy Ride in Southern Bolivia

Buckle up for a rollercoaster ride around some of the most picturesque landscapes in South America. Hear the crunch of coarse white crystals as you walk on the largest salt flat in the world, Salar de Uyuni. Expansive mountains, mineral lagoons with thousands of pink flamingos, smelly geysers, furry viscachas, and an island of gigantic cacti await if you're up for a rustic adventure in southern Bolivia!

Our three-day road trip with Uturunku Travel was full of incredible highs and difficult lows. Brad and I squeezed into a cramped Toyota SUV with four other travelers as our guide Yoni navigated the rough desert terrain. The teeth-chattering temperatures, lack of sleep, high altitude, and fierce winds definitely tested our resolve in the middle of nowhere.

Despite the setbacks, a united camaraderie inspired all of us to look on the bright side. Chasing the endless horizon together to explore this pocket of Mother Earth was an amazing opportunity to see surreal vistas and show-stopping wildlife. Below I cover logistics, our tour experience, attractions, and packing tips to help you decide if a Uyuni rendezvous is right for you!

Logistics

Salar de Uyuni is not only the most popular attraction in Bolivia, but also one of the natural wonders of South America. Visitors flock to this sparkling jewel all year round. During winter and the dry season (May-October), the surface is blindingly white with raised polygonal patches. A shallow blanket of water creates a jaw-dropping reflective effect during summer and the wet season (November-April). Consider planning a trip during the shoulder months if you want a chance to see both types.

The most convenient way to reach this prehistoric lake is to fly into the town of Uyuni via BoA Airlines. Domestic flights to Joya Andina International Airport (UYU) often connect through La Paz, the capital of Bolivia. Overnight buses with bathrooms and recliner seats are an affordable option if you don't mind a long journey. Direct bus routes to Uyuni are possible from La Paz and Sucre. Alternatively, you can begin a multi-day tour in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, and finish in Uyuni.

Bring plenty of local currency for taxis, restaurants, tickets, and tour operators. ATMs are limited and unreliable in Uyuni, so plan accordingly. Taxis are available if you want a lift, but always remember to confirm the price beforehand. I highly recommend Hotel Rey David if you need a cozy place to stay in town. The comfortable bed, hot shower, and toasty heater felt luxurious after our exhausting excursion. A few blocks away, Minuteman Pizza serves up some delicious wood-fired pies with fresh toppings and crispy crusts for dinner.

Uturunku Travel

At first, I was completely overwhelmed with finding the right tour operator for our three-day trip around southern Bolivia. I read horror stories online about food poisoning, drunk driving, altitude sickness, vehicle issues, and unprofessional guides. Luckily, I came across Visit South America. The company has an established reputation for great quality experiences in South America. Its website is full of useful information regarding different itinerary options. All of my questions and concerns were answered in a timely manner by a friendly representative.

Brad and I booked the Salar de Uyuni Three-Day Tour with private rooms and ensuite bathrooms for $437 USD. The total price covered all meals and transportation including a ride from the airport after our morning arrival in Uyuni. A local coordinator eventually picked us up from our meeting point in a Uturunku Travel vehicle. The Toyota SUV was in good condition with leather seats and tinted windows. We opted to sit next to another passenger in the middle row since it had the most legroom. Whatever you do, try to avoid the backseat!

Overall, the provided meals were boring and basic. Breakfast was often a spread of eggs, yogurt, jam, bread, instant coffee, and tea. A combination of quinoa, tomatoes, cucumbers, tuna, fried zucchini, chicken, rice, and beef was served at lunch. For dinner, we ate spaghetti with tomato sauce and pique macho (fries topped with chopped beef, hot dogs, hard-boiled eggs, onions, and peppers) along with a soup starter.

Abandon any expectations for high quality and complex dishes. Focus on the sustenance, not the flavor! Eat vegetarian meals, like I did, if you want to avoid potential tummy troubles. Unfortunately, Brad ate some mysterious cuts of meat and suffered a terrible night of food poisoning. There are a few rustic tiendas (stores) to buy snacks, candy, granola bars, sweet potato chips, water, and drinks.

The weather was unbearably cold during our visit in June 2025. Brad and I wore every item of warm clothing possible to combat the windy days and bone-chilling nights. Both accommodations, the salt hotel and refugio (basic shelter), didn't have heat or reliable hot water. Even though the beds were comfortable, the freezing temperatures made it difficult to sleep. I highly recommend planning a trip when the weather is better to avoid unnecessary physical and mental stress.

Although booking with Visit South America gave us peace of mind, we could have saved a ton of money by booking directly with Uturunku Travel. My advice is to cut out the middle man and contact local operators yourself via WhatsApp. There are plenty of highly rated options with detailed reviews online. Some backpackers even book tours last minute once they arrive in Uyuni. One-day excursions are also possible if you don't want to rough it on the rural outskirts.

Uyuni has an elevation of approximately 3,700 m (12,139 ft). The thin air can be brutal for some travelers. Try to acclimatize a few days before the start of your trip to prevent altitude sickness. Drink plenty of water, avoid strenuous activity, and get enough rest. Take it slow if you experience any symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, or nausea. Talk to a healthcare provider about prescription medications, such as acetazolamide (Diamox), which can help alleviate symptoms.

Attractions

Ready to wander within a magical landscape reminiscent of a bizarre painting by Salvador Dalí? You'll quickly become mesmerized by the contrasting blue sky and dusty orange soil as you drive to the following points of interest. Signal is scarce, so pass the time with a thick book, upbeat playlist, or lighthearted conversation with your crew. Most tours stick to the same circuit to squeeze in all of the sights, but adjustments can be made due to weather conditions or preferences.

Day 1: Uyuni Salt Flats

All aboard the rusty express! The Train Cemetery is a collection of abandoned steam locomotives and rail cars dating back to the 19th Century. Climb over and under in this playground of steel covered in graffiti to take quirky pictures. Browse the vendor stalls in Colchani to buy souvenirs such as vibrant handicrafts, knitted ponchos, llama figurines, and pouches of salt.

Check out the fluttering flags and creative props nearby the Salt Eyes, a small oasis of mineral-rich bubbling water. Don't forget to touch the various textures formed by billions of crystals as you explore the vast terrain of Salar de Uyuni. Brad and I enjoyed goofing around with a toy dinosaur as Yoni snapped some perspective shots. The Dakar Monument commemorates the Uyuni Salt Flats stage for the annual Dakar Rally, a grueling off-road international race which takes about two weeks to complete.

Isla Incahuasi, accessible only during the dry season, is located in the heart of the Uyuni Salt Flats. Towering cacti with dense yellow spines cover the rocky island. Keep an eye out for Black-hooded Sierra Finches flying in between the nooks and crannies. Tickets cost $4.30 USD per person to hike the short loop trail up to the summit which has a glorious panoramic view. Watching an epic sunset beyond the sea of salt was a fantastic way to wrap up the day!

Day 2: Lagoons of the Andes

Kick off the morning with a bit of birdwatching at Laguna Cañapa, Laguna Honda, Laguna Charcota, and Laguna Hedionda. Depending on the time of year, you can see thousands of Andean Flamingos, James's Flamingos, and Chilean Flamingos filter feeding in these shallow murky lagoons. Most flamingos turn pink after eating microscopic algae and brine shrimp which contain carotenoid pigments. I was blown away by the extraordinary birds and majestic peaks!

Trade feathers for fur as you head south through the Siloli Desert. Llamas with colorful ear tassels, wild herds of skittish vicuñas, and adorable bunny-like viscachas flourish in this barren environment. Hardy shrubs, swaying tussock grasses, and bulbous yareta plants provide hints of green. The only tree you'll see is the Árbol de Piedra, an iconic rock sculpted by centuries of wind and sand erosion.

Laguna Colorada is a dazzling cauldron of minerals best seen in the afternoon sunlight. Pockets of white borax add a level of dimension to the fiery red and deep blue hues of the lagoon. Walk the loop trail up to the elevated viewpoint to admire flocks of flamingos, mocha mountains, and icy marshes. The simple café on top of the ridge is the perfect spot to warm up and enjoy the otherworldly scenery.

Day 3: Licancabur Volcano

Instead of soaking in the natural hot springs of Termas de Polques, our group decided to head straight to Volcán Licancabur and Laguna Verde due to the extreme wind chill. Tickets ($22 USD per person) are required to enter the national reserve. Hear and smell a pressure cooker of exploding steam, sulfur gases, and boiling mud at the Sol de Mañana geyser. After dropping off some of our crew at the Chilean border, we briefly stopped at the Valley of Rocks and Anaconda Canyon on our way back to Uyuni.

Packing Tips

Bundle up for this rugged adventure! We brought a 40L backpack to hold our clothes and two 15L backpacks for our camera gear/snacks. Suitcases and large bags are typically stored on the vehicle luggage racks during the day, so keep any fragile or important items (phone/passport) with you. Check the weather forecast and bring adequate clothing, especially during the frigid dry season. A few stores in Uyuni sell gloves, hats, ponchos, and fleece jackets. Brad and I packed the following items:

Final Thoughts

Exploring the landscapes of southern Bolivia with a multi-day tour is not for the faint of heart, especially during winter! Rushing around to complete the jam-packed itinerary, fueled by bland food and poor sleep, definitely affected our mood. Cruising down haphazard roads for hours with a constant stream of Latin beats playing on the stereo also added to the mental turbulence. Brad and I couldn't get warm despite the endless cups of hot chamomile tea, hearty bowls of soup, and layers of blankets on the beds.

Even though our trip with Uturunku Travel was a bit challenging, it was absolutely worth the effort to see thousands of pink flamingos, vivid lagoons, and the largest salt flat on the planet. This remote and breathtakingly beautiful place feels untouched, which enhances the off-the-beaten-path allure. Whether you visit for a day or book a three-day tour, these enchanting sights are sure to deliver an unforgettable adventure!