Uyuni is a flat salt expanse in southwest Bolivia, left over from an evaporated prehistoric lake. The salt is up to 10 metres thick in places. Beneath it — the world's largest lithium reserves. Above — a landscape unlike anything else on the planet.
Wet season vs dry season
The main question — which season to visit. The answer depends on what photos you want.
Wet season (December — April)
A thin layer of water (5-15 cm) covers the salt flat and turns it into the largest mirror on the planet. Clouds and mountains reflect in the water. Best: February-March. Downside: part of the flat is closed to vehicles (Isla Incahuasi usually inaccessible), weather is moody, nights are cold. Sunsets are insane.
Dry season (May — November)
Dry salt, white to the horizon, perfect hexagonal patterns. Cars drive across the entire flat, Isla Incahuasi (cactus island) is open, Tunupa volcano accessible. You can do "perspective" photos — without the water film, a toy/banana/dinosaur looks real-size. Best: June-September. Nights below zero, especially June-July (-15°C at 4,000 m).
Where to start from
Tours start from Uyuni town — small place with 5,000 inhabitants. How to get there:
- Flight from La Paz (1 hr, ~$80-120). 1-2 flights daily. Airport code UYU.
- Overnight bus from La Paz (10-12 hrs, $20-40). Cama (fully reclining) is bearable.
- Train from Oruro (7 hrs, $15-30). Most scenic option, but you still need to reach Oruro.
- From San Pedro de Atacama (Chile) — 3-day cross-border tour. Popular Atacama combo.
Tour options
1 day
Day trip across the flat: Salar, Isla Incahuasi (in dry season), salt hotel, the "Train Cemetery". $50-80. Downside: no sunset, no lagoons.
3 days / 2 nights (standard)
Most popular format. Day 1: salt flat, cactus island, night in salt hotel. Day 2: coloured lagoons (Colorada, Verde, Blanca), Siloli desert, stone tree. Day 3: Sol de Mañana geysers (sunrise), Polques hot springs, Chile border or back to Uyuni. $200-350 depending on quality tier.
4 days
Same as 3-day + extra day or additional locations (Tunupa volcano, deeper train cemetery, more lagoons). $300-450.
What to look for in a tour
- Vehicle and driver. The key factor. Experienced driver = half the success. Cheap tours skimp on maintenance — breakdowns in the desert at 4,800 m aren't adventure.
- Group size. 4-6 people per jeep is fine. 7+ is cramped.
- Accommodation. Basic salt hotel vs lux (Hotel de Sal Luna Salada, Palacio de Sal — latter is $150+/night). Insulation matters in winter.
- Oxygen. Good operators carry bottles for the high points (Laguna Colorada — 4,278 m).
Altitude and acclimatisation
Uyuni itself is at 3,656 m, but the tour goes higher: lagoons up to 4,800 m, Sol de Mañana pass — 5,000 m. If you fly in from sea level unprepared — you'll struggle. At least 2 days in La Paz or Cusco before Uyuni. More on acclimatisation.
What to pack
- Warm jacket (down or Primaloft) — sub-zero nights
- Hat + gloves + buff
- Thermal underwear (top + bottom)
- Sunglasses (category 3-4) — salt reflection is more blinding than snow
- SPF 50 sunscreen — UV index at 4,000 m is extreme
- SPF lip balm
- Rubber boots (if going in wet season) — otherwise feet stay in salty water
- Power bank — no outlets in the desert
- Large water bottle (3-4 litres)
- Cash in bolivianos — cards not accepted
Photo tips
Wet season
- Shoot at sunset — the sky reflects in perfect symmetry.
- Protect your gear — salt water kills cameras. Drones over water = risk.
- Long exposures unnecessary — ripples spoil the mirror.
Dry season
- Perspective shots: small object (dinosaur, banana, friend) at distance — looks giant. Everyone does it. It's still funny.
- A drone is essential — from above, the flat looks like a frozen sea.
- Midday light is harshest. Morning and evening best.
How much it costs
| What | Budget | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-day tour | $200-250 | $300-380 | $450-700 |
| Salt hotel/night | $15-30 | $50-80 | $150+ |
| Meals included | yes | yes | yes |
| English-speaking guide | rare | often | yes |
Common mistakes
- Booking on the spot for the lowest price. Vehicles in Uyuni aren't Volvo XC90s — they're beat-up 90s Toyota Land Cruisers. Cheap tours = old cars = breakdowns.
- Ignoring altitude. Flying in from La Paz in the morning and going straight to the flat — half the group is dying by evening.
- Unprotected electronics. Salt in the air + cold kills cameras.
- Only doing the salt flat without day 2-3. The most beautiful stuff is Laguna Colorada and flamingos at 4,200 m. Without those, you haven't seen Uyuni.