Travel guide · Bolivia
Salar de Uyuni: what to see and when to go
The Salar de Uyuni, in southwest Bolivia, is the world's largest salt flat: more than 10,000 km² of white crust at 3,650 m. In the rainy season a thin layer of water turns it into a giant mirror; in the dry season it becomes a desert of hexagonal patterns and the start of a jeep route past red lagoons, flamingos and geysers towards Chile.
What to see and do in the Salar de Uyuni
The mirror effect
From about January to March, rainwater reflects the sky so perfectly that the horizon disappears.
Isla Incahuasi
A rocky island covered in giant cacti in the middle of the salt.
Train cemetery
Rusting steam locomotives on the edge of Uyuni town.
Laguna Colorada
A red lagoon with thousands of flamingos, on the three-day route south.
Sol de Mañana and the Dalí Desert
Bubbling geysers at almost 5,000 m and a desert that looks like a Dalí painting.
Best time to go
The most pleasant months: Apr – Nov.
Getting there
| From | Flight time | Return flight |
|---|---|---|
| London | 13 hr, 45 min | ≈ €620 · See flights |
| New York | 9 hr, 15 min | ≈ €520 · See flights |
| Los Angeles | 11 hr | ≈ €550 · See flights |
| Dubai | 18 hr, 45 min | ≈ €730 · See flights |
| Singapore | 23 hr, 15 min | ≈ €840 · See flights |
| Sydney | 17 hr | ≈ €690 · See flights |
3 nights from London: ≈ €810 per person, flight and stay included.
Per person. Estimates from distance and local prices; real fares depend on your dates.
Essentials
- Country
- Bolivia
- Currency
- Bolivian Boliviano
- Good for
- nature · wild · mountains
- How long to stay
- 3–5 days
- Where to stay
- Uyuni town for a night; the classic trip is a three-day jeep tour sleeping in simple lodges, ending back in Uyuni or at the Chilean border for San Pedro de Atacama.Find a place to stay in the Salar de Uyuni
Plan your trip
Flights, a place to stay and what else you need for Salar de Uyuni, one tap each.
- FlightsFrom London · about €620 (opens in a new tab)
- StayHotels and apartments in the Salar de Uyuni (opens in a new tab)
- Things to doTours, tickets and experiences (opens in a new tab)
- CarPick it up at the airport (opens in a new tab)
- Travel insuranceMedical, luggage and cancellation (opens in a new tab)
- Internet on arrivalData eSIM, no roaming bills (opens in a new tab)
Links open a sample search (Fri, Apr 2 – Mon, Apr 5, 2 people): change it on each site. If you book through these links we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. It helps us keep improving diceando. Legal notice
Frequently asked questions
What's the weather like in the Salar de Uyuni and when should you go?
The most pleasant months: Apr – Nov. Average highs range from 11° in June to 20° in December.
How many days do you need in the Salar de Uyuni?
3 to 5 days is enough to see the essentials without rushing.
What does a few days in the Salar de Uyuni cost?
Accommodation runs at around €60 per person per night. 3 nights from London: ≈ €810 per person, flight and stay included. The flight from London takes about 13 hr, 45 min.
Where should you stay in the Salar de Uyuni?
Uyuni town for a night; the classic trip is a three-day jeep tour sleeping in simple lodges, ending back in Uyuni or at the Chilean border for San Pedro de Atacama.
