Uyuni, Bolivia: travel guide
The launch point for tours across the Salar de Uyuni salt flat
Gateway town to the Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat. Base for 1–3 day 4x4 tours across the salt, coloured lagoons and the Train Cemetery.
About Uyuni
Uyuni is a small, dusty town on the Altiplano, and almost everyone who comes does so for the Salar de Uyuni, the enormous salt flat that begins just beyond it. The town is a base for multi-day jeep tours, with simple lodging, tour offices and little else.
On the salt, trips stop at Isla Incahuasi with its giant cacti, at salt hotels and at Colchani, where salt is harvested. Longer routes continue to the coloured lagoons and wildlife of the south-west, including Laguna Colorada. The Cementerio de Trenes on the edge of town is an easy first stop, with rusting locomotives under a big sky.
Uyuni suits adventurous travellers. In the wetter months, a thin sheet of water turns the salt into a mirror, while the dry season gives easier driving.
- Country
- Bolivia
- Currency
- BOB
- Time zone
- America/La_Paz
- Nearest airport
- UYU
Last updated
Top places to visit in Uyuni
Salar de Uyuni
salt flat · 4.9 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
The world's largest salt flat (10,500 km²), a blinding white expanse that becomes a giant mirror in the rainy season. Bolivia's top attraction.
Cementerio de Trenes (Train Cemetery)
industrial · 4.2 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Rusting 19th-century steam locomotives abandoned on the Altiplano outside Uyuni, a popular photo stop.
Laguna Colorada
lagoon · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A shallow red lagoon in the Eduardo Avaroa reserve, coloured by algae and dotted with thousands of flamingos.
Isla Incahuasi
island · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A rocky island of giant cacti rising from the centre of the salt flat, with a short summit trail and panoramic views.
Colchani
village · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Salt-processing village at the edge of the flat, with salt artisan workshops and a souvenir market.
Things to do
- Salar de Uyuni Full-Day Tour Day Trip · 10 h · from BOB 350 per person
- 3-Day Salt Flats & Coloured Lagoons Tour Adventure · 72 h · from BOB 1,400 per person
- Uyuni Sunset & Stargazing Tour Day Trip · 5 h · from BOB 250 per person
Day trips and tours
- Salar de Uyuni Full-Day Salt Flats Tour 11 h · from BOB 350
Where to stay in Uyuni
- Centro about BOB 300 per night
The compact town centre near the clock tower and tour agencies — convenient for booking salt-flat trips and catching night buses/trains.
Hotels
- Hotel Tonito 3-star · BOB 420 to BOB 560 per night
- Palacio de Sal 4-star · BOB 1,200 to BOB 1,800 per night
- Hostal Andino 2-star · BOB 200 to BOB 280 per night
Where to eat
- Tika Restaurante Bolivian, Pizza · about BOB 80 per person
- Minuteman Revolutionary Pizza Pizza, American · about BOB 90 per person
- Lithium Club Bolivian, International · about BOB 75 per person
Getting to Uyuni
Airport: Uyuni (UYU)
How visitors arrive in Uyuni
- Train from Oruro (FCA) By train from Oruro · common
FCA Empresa Ferroviaria Andina runs the Expreso del Sur and Wara Wara del Sur on the Oruro-Villazon line, stopping at Uyuni. Source: bolivianexpress.org
- Long-distance bus from La Paz By road from La Paz · common
Coaches run to Uyuni from La Paz terminals; the road across the Altiplano is long. Source: machutravelperu.com
- Flight La Paz to Uyuni airport By air from La Paz · common
Amaszonas and BOA are named for the La Paz route into the small Uyuni airport near town. Source: machutravelperu.com
Getting around
- Offroad Vehicle
Tours of the salt flats leave from Uyuni and range from day trips to several days, and are booked at tour company offices near the train station.
- Taxi
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Unsafe / overbooked salt-flat tours
Uyuni tour agencies
Cheap operators use drunk or speeding drivers, overload 4x4s, skip safety gear and cut the itinerary; serious accidents have occurred.
How to avoid it: Book with a reputable, well-reviewed operator, confirm the driver doesn't drink, and don't choose on price alone.
Best time to visit Uyuni
- Jan 21°C
- Feb 20°C
- Mar 20°C
- Apr 19°C
- May 15°C
- Jun 13°C
- Jul 13°C
- Aug 15°C
- Sep 17°C
- Oct 19°C
- Nov 21°C
- Dec 21°C
More in Bolivia
Frequently asked questions about Uyuni
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Uyuni?
- The highest-rated places in our Uyuni guide are Salar de Uyuni, Isla Incahuasi, Laguna Colorada, Cementerio de Trenes (Train Cemetery).
- Where should I stay in Uyuni?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Uyuni: Centro.
- How do I get around Uyuni?
- Ways to get around Uyuni covered in our guide: Off-road vehicle, Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Uyuni?
- Scams reported to us for Uyuni include Unsafe / overbooked salt-flat tours. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Uyuni?
- Average daytime highs in Uyuni run from 13°C in Jun to 21°C in Jan.
- Which airport is nearest to Uyuni?
- The nearest airport to Uyuni has the code UYU.