Uyuni, Bolivia: travel guide
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.
- Country
- Bolivia
- Currency
- BOB
- Time zone
- America/La_Paz
- Nearest airport
- UYU
Top places to visit in Uyuni
Salar de Uyuni
Nature · 4.9 rating · about 8 h
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)
Heritage · 4.2 rating · about 0.8 h
Rusting 19th-century steam locomotives abandoned on the Altiplano outside Uyuni, a popular photo stop.
Laguna Colorada
Wildlife · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · entry BOB 150
A shallow red lagoon in the Eduardo Avaroa reserve, coloured by algae and dotted with thousands of flamingos.
Isla Incahuasi
Nature · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · entry BOB 30
A rocky island of giant cacti rising from the centre of the salt flat, with a short summit trail and panoramic views.
Colchani
Market · about 0.8 h
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 around
- Offroad Vehicle main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
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.