Best Way to See the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia

Planning a trip to the Uyuni Salt Flats Bolivia? Read this post first! Getting to the salt flats is actually easier than you may think!

Like many others, one of my all-time highest bucket list dreams was to see the incredible, breathtaking Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia — the famous Salar De Uyuni. The World’s Largest Mirror. Heaven on Earth.

About the Salar De Uyuni

The Salar de Uyuni (Ew-you-nee) is the largest salted desert in the world. It was created by salted lakes that evaporated many years ago. Now all that’s left is a thick crust of salt stretching over 4,000 square miles. This mesmerizing landscape is in the middle of the Bolivian desert. Getting there may seem like a bit of a challenge, but it’s honestly easier (and more comfortable) than you might think.

To help plan your trip, here’s everything you need to know about visiting the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia: How to get there, where to stay, and what else to do once you’re in the middle of this desert.

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Best Time to Visit the Salt Flats Bolivia

The Salar de Uyuni has two seasons: rainy season and dry season. Each offers a unique experience.

Rainy Season (December to April)

During the rainy season a thin layer of water covers the salt flats and transforms them into a magnificent reflection of the sky. Be careful in December and January, as too much rain can cause tour cancelations.

Dry Season (May to November)

During the dry season, temperatures are colder, the Salar de Uyuni is dry, and polygonal patterns of salt rise from the ground resembling a giant white quilt. At this time it’s possible to drive across the flats and visit areas that aren’t accessible during the rainy season, like Cactus Island. You can also stay in a salt hotel and hike to a volcano. June through August is considered “high season” with more crowds and higher prices.

Our Experience

We were at the Salar De Uyuni on April 1, 2018. As you can see, there was enough water for a reflection, but the flats were starting to dry out. We had an amazing tour guide who took us away from the crowds and found an area where the flats were still flooded for our own private reflection. But I would be hesitant to go later in the season!

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Booking a Tour to the Uyuni Salt Flats Bolivia

While the Uyuni salt flats are definitely the highlight of the trip — they’re the reason everyone goes — I was surprised to learn that they’re really only a small part of this breathtaking region. It’s a truly unique landscape filled with colorful lagoons, snow-capped mountains, pink flamingos, bubbling geysers, steamy hot springs, and herds of llamas and ostriches grazing in the desert. I was amazed at just how beautiful it really is.

The best way to see the Uyuni Salt Flats Bolivia is on a 3-day tour combined with all the other incredible sites in this area.

3-Day Tours to the Uyuni Salt Flats Bolivia

There are many 3-day tours available to the Uyuni Salt Flats Bolivia. They all basically follow the same itinerary. Most of the group tours are 6 people per group. The jeep you’ll be spending a lot of time in seats six people max — including one person up front, one person sitting on the middle hump, and two people in the back pop-up 3rd row, with less visibility out the windows and less leg room. To be honest, it’s a lot of time in the jeep. The desert is vast! Comfort is a factor here.

On most tours, the first night you can pay a bit extra to have your own private room and bathroom, but the second night, as you’re further in the desert, the only option is a shared dorm with no private bathroom. And you can forget about a hot shower. After all day in the dusty desert sand, all I wanted was a shower! And the desert gets really cold at night, so you definitely don’t want a cold shower!