The Salt Flats in Bolivia are one of the most spectacular places to visit in South America. Be completely blown away by the sheer size and incredible view of the Uyuni Salt Flats. Imagine natural salts as far as the eye can see. They create mesmerizing shimmering reflections that create a magical landscape that seems otherworldly! So, whatever type of vacation you hope to plan, visiting the Uyuni Salt Flats could be an amazing experience. This sparkling place of natural phenomenon could be a wonderful romantic vacation or a fun adventure for the whole family! From exploring the geysers to the colorful lagoons of the desert valley at over 5,000 meters above sea level, there is so much to see and do! It is important to keep in mind that the terrain of this magical place can be a bit dangerous and slippery. It is important to wear proper footwear and follow safety guidelines when walking on the grounds. Also be sure to bring your camera to get miraculous photos to jazz up your Instagram posts.
The Salt Flats are huge
As the name suggests, the salt flats in Bolivia are giant open spaces made entirely of salt! It really is salt surrounding as far as the eye can see! The domain of Salt Flats spans over 4,000 square miles, making it the largest salar in the world! Due to the size, it is best to allow several days to be sure to see everything. Uyuni offers a wide variety of 3-day tours through the salt flats to help you get the most out of your experience. The most common tour offered is a 3 day, 2 night tour with an English speaking guide. Be sure to stay until sunset to see the best reflections through the salt flats, check what time tours stay in the salt flats to see the sunsets!
There are many tours to choose from that usually start and end in Uyuni, or start in Uyuni and end in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. Be sure to check the final destination and its proximity to your hotel location. Uyuni is also the cheapest place to do Salt Flat tours.
Important information about salt flats
The Salt Flats were created by prehistoric lakes that evaporated, leaving behind trails of salt. The salt is several meters thick and converts the entire flat area next to Uyuni. In fact, the Salinas of Bolivia are one of the flattest places on the planet! This beautiful landscape gives you the opportunity to have fantastic photo ops that make you feel like you are in another world, the future or whatever you can imagine. It might even be a fun adventure for kids to bring little dinosaur toys and take photos like in prehistoric times.
It is important to note that between January and March much of the Salt Flats is closed due to flooding. It’s usually very dry during the months of June through December, but nights can get very chilly and drop as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
For this reason, the most optimal times to visit would be April and May. The weather during this period is generally dry, but there are still some residual patches of rain to create more sparkling and stunning sights across the Salt Flat. You’ll also experience mostly warm weather, and it’s almost a guarantee that there won’t be any shutdowns.
When visiting the Salt Flats, extend your stay and visit other nearby areas. San Pedro de Atacama in Chile could be an amazing place to visit. It’s right across from the Salt Flats in Bolivia. There are tours that offer trips across the Salt Flats in San Pedro de Atacama. There are specific four-day tours from San Pedro for just US$200, and that even includes meals!
Tupiza is another great place to visit around the salt flats. This town is also a very convenient location with tours that extend to and from Tupiza to the salt flats. This incredible land has a wonderful four-day tour to explore from just 700 US dollars. Don’t forget to check the language spoken by each guide, often they only speak Spanish.
Finally, although a little further from the Salines, visiting La Paz is quite an interesting experience. There is an excursion that takes you on a short flight to La Paz from Uyuni. This will help you save money and time during your trip while providing you with an optimized vacation experience.
The saltworks experience
The Salt Flats are an amazing experience with beautiful views but that’s not the only thing you can see there! You’ll visit several deserts, a few different lakes, a train graveyard, steam-spitting geysers, hot springs, flamingos and more!
The sun in Salt Flats can be strong and a bit harsh, it is important to wear sunscreen, bring a hat and good sunglasses. Also be sure to bring plenty of water, as not all tours will carry this on their experience.
Gather your family and friends and get ready for an incredible experience through one of nature’s most amazing phenomena.