Mirrored wonderland: Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia gleams radiantly under a thin coating of water.
In the heart of South America, nestled in the Altiplano region, lies the breathtaking Salar de Uyuni - the world's largest salt flat, covering an expanse of over 4,050 square miles. This natural wonder, located in Bolivia, is a must-visit destination for road-tripping tourists and a lucrative site for salt and lithium extraction.
Salar de Uyuni serves as a playground for adventure seekers, offering a unique landscape that includes the world's first salt hotel and a mirror-like reflection of the sky during the rainy season. The salt flat is home to a thick crust of salt extending to the horizon, covered by quilted, polygonal patterns of salt.
From Uyuni, the most popular and flexible way to explore this magnificent salt flat is through private 3-day 4x4 tours. Companies like Howlanders offer custom-tailored tours with options like heated hotel stays, bilingual guides, and the possibility to end in either Uyuni or San Pedro de Atacama for border crossing convenience. Shorter group tours, such as 5-hour sunset and stargazing tours, are also available for a quick experience to see the salt flats under the stars.
Travellers can also embark on multi-day tours from San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, which cross the Chile-Bolivia border and travel through the southern Bolivian salt flats region. Companies like Uturunku Travel are well-reviewed for this route, offering full excursions covering the salt flats and surrounding landscapes in 3 to 4 days. Howlanders also facilitates transfers that make it possible to finish the tour in San Pedro after starting in Uyuni (or vice versa).
For those starting their journey in Tupiza, Bolivia, tours typically last 3 or 4 days and cover the southern region of the salt flat, as well as other natural highlights. Companies like Expediciones Estrella Del Sur Bolivia and Salt Dreams are praised for their knowledgeable guides and rich experience of the varied landscapes on these longer tours departing from Tupiza.
When planning your visit, it's crucial to choose a reputable guide for your tour. Avoid companies with exceptionally low prices as they may not provide accredited guides or working cars. Reputable tour operators should have emergency radios and first-aid kits.
The best travel options and tour companies for visiting Salar de Uyuni from Uyuni, San Pedro de Atacama, and Tupiza are summarised in the table below:
| Starting Point | Tour Type | Recommended Companies | Highlights & Features | |----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------| | Uyuni | Private or group 3-day 4x4 tours, shorter day tours | Howlanders, Viator, local guides | Flexible private tours, heated hotels option, sunset/star tours| | San Pedro de Atacama | Multi-day border crossing 3-4 day tours | Uturunku Travel, Howlanders | Cross-border tours, full excursions covering salt flats & lagoons| | Tupiza | 3-4 day tours through southern Bolivia salt region | Expediciones Estrella Del Sur, Salt Dreams | Expert guides, multi-day cultural & natural exploration |
For the best experience, private tours from Uyuni provide comfort and flexibility, while multi-day tours from San Pedro and Tupiza offer immersive border-crossing journeys with expert guides covering large, diverse landscapes.
It's important to note that Bolivia requires a tourist visa ($160 for U.S. citizens) and a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate to enter the country. Additionally, due to the high altitude (nearly 12,000 feet above sea level), visitors may experience altitude sickness if they haven't properly acclimatized.
When taking photos at Salar de Uyuni, get the camera low to the ground and close to the prop for the best perspective. The rainy season (December to April) is when visitors come to see the Salar's breathtaking mirror effect, but excessive rain in December and January can cause tour cancelations.
Booking in advance is recommended, especially for private or cross-border tours. Whether you choose to start your journey from Uyuni, San Pedro de Atacama, or Tupiza, Salar de Uyuni promises an unforgettable adventure that will leave you in awe of its stunning beauty.
- Travelers can choose from various tour options to explore the Salar de Uyuni, including private 3-day 4x4 tours, shorter day tours, multi-day border-crossing tours from San Pedro de Atacama, or tours from Tupiza.
- Reputable tour operators for visiting Salar de Uyuni from Uyuni include Howlanders, Viator, and local guides, known for their flexible private tours and heated hotels option.
- For an immersive border-crossing journey with expert guides covering large, diverse landscapes, travelers can opt for multi-day tours from San Pedro de Atacama, such as those offered by Uturunku Travel and Howlanders.
- Expediciones Estrella Del Sur and Salt Dreams are highly recommended for travelers starting their journey in Tupiza, offering 3-4 day tours through the southern region of the salt flat and other natural highlights.
