Uyuni Salt Flat Map, Facts, & Elevation

English-speaking guides aren’t standard so check with the tour company if one is included. Unless you’re confident in your Spanish skills, you’ll likely get more out of a tour with a guide who speaks English. There was so much more to see than I expected and the locations on days two and three were far less crowded because there were no daytrippers at these sites. On the 2nd and 3rd days of a standard 3-day tour, you will be taken to beautiful lagoons, and you will see flamingos and vicuñas. Due to the proximity to these international borders, many travelers either start or end their time in Bolivia at Salar de Uyuni. The hotel’s interior showcases the artistry of local craftsmen, featuring intricate salt sculptures and designs that celebrate Bolivian culture.

Underrated Spots in Bolivia: Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures

The first night’s stay in a salt hotel was very clean and comfortable, with fresh bedsheets, towels, and toilet paper provided. In 2017, on the first night, we stayed in spinmaya no deposit bonus code private rooms in a salt hotel. If you want to see the sunset at the Salar de Uyuni, ask your travel agency whether it’s included. Most tour agencies start their tours at 10.30 am.

Exploring The Area

These months are also less cold than the dry season. Some would argue the vistas during the wet season are even more mesmerising than in the dry season. The rainy season (December to April) brings its own beauty.

The second day includes mind-blowing Laguna Colorada and other stunning lagoons filled with flamingoes.
Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world, with an area of approximately 10,582 square kilometres (4,086 mi2).
On our 2025 tour, the sunset was included in the itinerary, and we had wine and snacks while watching the sunset.
Read more about visiting Salar de Uyuni independently here.
It’s possible to book ahead or choose a tour company on arrival.

Salar de Uyuni Travel Tips.

If you are coming from Argentina it is possible to book tours that begin in Tupiza. Most people time their arrival for the morning of the start of their tour. There is nothing really of interest in Uyuni itself so it’s not worth spending much time here. Be aware that December and January are the wettest months and sometimes excessive rain can lead to tour cancellations. The clear night skies offer great star-gazing opportunities and you’ll also be able to visit some places that aren’t accessible during the wet season.

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I don’t think this stop was included in tours eight years ago.
A land of the opposites – it is where the geological formations of the past are in contact with the futuristic sceneries that have been a source of inspiration to filmmakers, photographers and even adventurers.
On its shores are saltworks at Salinas de Garci Mendoza on the north, Llica on the northwest, and Calcha on the south.
It’s worth mentioning that you will spend most of your time in the car.
The salt flats, visible from low Earth orbit, display stark white hues that contrast sharply with the darker surrounding rock formations.
On the 2nd and 3rd days of a standard 3-day tour, you will be taken to beautiful lagoons, and you will see flamingos and vicuñas.

A mesmerising and dazzling landscape, this vast salt plain is like nowhere else in the world! Bolivia’s Salt Flats are a breathtaking natural wonder. Read more about visiting Salar de Uyuni independently here. For a group tour that includes an English-speaking guide and more comfortable accommodation with private rooms, you will be looking at around $250USD.

Polques Hot Springs

A hot spring area with geysers and steaming vents, offering a unique geological experience. 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. 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. 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. Omani and other GCC Nationalities are generally required to seek a Bolivia travel visa prior to arrival. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm, and a jacket (or two) of clothing – the day and night can be extremely different. Salar de Uyuni also has a high altitude that may lead to the occurrence of altitude sickness. This is a lake of colour; it is a red lake caused by algae and mineral and a home of thousands of flamingos. It is an experience because, when one reaches the summit they can observe the entire landscape and it is particularly breathtaking during sunset or sunrise. Most locals make their living from salt production. Drinks were provided with meals, usually water and Coke, and dinners often came with red wine. When we did a tour in 2025, we paid extra for private rooms. When I did a tour eight years ago, the accommodation was basic. The tour takes you through elevations ranging from about 3,600 m to 4,800 m. It’s also possible to take a tour starting in Tupiza – a great option for those coming from Argentina. It’s also possible to take a tour from La Paz with transport to Uyuni included as part of the package. It’s possible to book ahead or choose a tour company on arrival. As you’d probably expect with one of the most popular attractions in South America, there are endless choices when it comes to booking a tour. “One of my favourite things about the Salar De Uyuni tour was simply driving from location to location. Relax in the thermal waters of the Polques Hot Springs after exploring the salt flats. 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. For the adventurous, cycling or hiking across the salt flats is possible, but requires preparation and experience in arid environments. During the rainy season, water can fill parts of the salt flat, creating a stunning mirror-like effect. The salt flats are at 3,656 m.a.s.l. Some people can suffer from altitude sickness at this elevation. From strange islands in a sea of blindingly bright salt to delicately colored mineral lakes in the Andean mountains, this is an unforgettable Bolivian landscape. When it dried up, it left a couple of seasonal puddles and several salt pans, including Salar de Uyuni. It was part of a prehistoric salt lake, Lago Minchín, which once covered most of southwest Bolivia. The world's largest salt flat sits at a lofty 3653m (11,985ft) and blankets an amazing 12,000 sq km (4633 sq miles).