Ever wanted to walk on the clouds? Uyuni Salt Flats will make you feel as if you are. During the wet season this extreme landscape transforms into the world’s largest mirror that reflects heaven on earth. If you are traveling to Bolivia you don’t want to miss the vast beauty of this endless horizon.

Photographers flock to this destination to produce mind-bending photos on its infinite reflective surface, but you don’t have to be a pro to create your own wacky perspective photos. This flat empty space is ideal for all levels of experience and will leave you with tons of Instagram-worthy shots that are sure to “woo” your followers.

When to Visit

If your main goal is to play with the flat’s reflective surface and create amazing photos, then you’ll want to visit in the summer. If you’re like us and you’re cool with just winging it, then don’t fret because this otherworldly place will give you a unique and spectacular experience no matter what time of the year you decide to go.

How to get to Uyuni from La Paz

There are flights available for around $100 USD round trip, but we decided to take the overnight bus ride from Loki Hostel to Uyuni. The bus company we used was Todo Turismo and cost 250 Bolivianos per one-way ticket, which was equivalent to about $37 USD. The bus provided comfortable seats that fully reclined, a blanket and pillow, as well as complimentary dinner on board. We left La Paz at 9 pm, which ended up being perfect because we were able to sleep through the night and wake up feeling well-rested and ready to start the day. If you plan to take a bus you’ll need to book your ticket at least a day or two in advance, but I suggest waiting to book your tour since many vendors sell the last tickets cheaper to fill seats. We arrived in Uyuni around 7:30 am. Since the tours don’t leave until around 11 am, we had plenty of time to negotiate with multiple tour companies to find the best deal. They have one and two day tours, but I highly suggest going on a three-day tour to avoid FOMO. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on traveling deeper into the Altiplano to see Laguna Colorada, Geiser So De Manana, and Polques Hot Springs. We booked with Skyline Traveller and the tour cost $160 USD in total (each) and included our driver, three cooked meals per day, and basic dormitory-style accommodation. They did not take credit cards or US dollars, but there is an ATM available in Uyuni if needed. There are also cafes, shops, and even laundry services in town as well!

7 Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make and What I Wish I Would Have Known

Mistake #1: Not bringing enough warm clothes- trust me on this one. I did not have the proper attire and not packing accordingly was my biggest mistake. I paid the price on the second night of the tour. There were times I was comfortable in a tank top, leggings, and flip flops, and other times I was freezing cold wearing multiple sweaters, a warm hat I purchased in Uyuni, and my sneakers, which brings me to my next mistake…

Mistake #2: Not having Hiking Boots- biggest mistake number two of mine. Attempting to be a minimalist I brought my Nike gym shoes and one pair of flip flops. After day one of the tour, my gym shoes were soaking wet and did not dry by the next morning. Krystina had the bright idea to tie my shoes to the top of the Jeep in order to speed up the drying process. This seemingly genius idea went wrong due to overlooking the salt content in the air which made my shoelaces so stiff I could barely untie from the top of the Jeep, let alone put them on. I ended up wearing my flip-flops which got stuck in the quicksand-like mud on the very first stop of the day. I had a good laugh at myself, used my famous “it’s fine” saying, and joked about how amazing the mud bath felt on my feet. Not everyone carries the same happy-go-lucky spirit so plan accordingly to avoid making the same mistake. I highly suggest investing in some waterproof hiking boots if you don’t already have some.

Mistake #3: Not packing a hairdryer- not only is this useful to prevent having wet hair in the freezing cold but it can also be used to dry wet shoes and clothes. In a desperate attempt to hand wash the few warm clothes I had in the sink, I underestimated how long it would take to hang dry. My hair was the least of my worries, but a dryer can be used for so much more than I realized when packing.

Mistake #4: Forgetting to ask for a towel- on the first night of the tour I made the mistake of not asking for a towel and ended up using my bedsheet to dry off after my shower. Trust me, going to sleep with wet hair and no sheets isn’t something you want to experience when the temperature drops below 40 degrees. There is a towel rental fee, but it’s not much and absolutely necessary if you plan on showering.

Mistake #5: You never know what you have until it’s gone- toilet paper for instance. Most places you go will charge you to use the restroom and give you a few thin sheets of toilet paper, but there are limited facilities when driving through the desert, and if you have to squat you’re going to wish you brought some. You can purchase a roll or two in Uyuni before you leave for your tour.

Mistake #6: Not drinking enough water- you’re more likely to experience altitude sickness when you are dehydrated. Remember to take it slow and try to arrive a few days early to your destination to give your body time to acclimatize.

Mistake #7: Don’t be that girl cheesing in pictures with her eyes closed- oh wait that was me! This trip was so last minute that I actually forgot to bring sunglasses. I ended up buying a cheap pair in La Paz, which ended up breaking after a few days of flopping around in my backpack. They have them available for purchase in Uyuni, but once you leave for your tour they’re impossible to find at any of the stops. I wish I had remembered to bring my sunglasses that I always keep in a protective case. The endless white burned my eyes, yet I couldn’t look away. If you manage to forget to bring your sunglasses and decide to buy a cheap pair like me, I suggest buying two just in case.

What to Expect on Your Salt Flats Tour

Day 1: Rolling six-deep in a 4×4!

Three gals and two guys joined us on our journey and we all instantly became friends. We were so lucky to share this epic adventure with four other free-spirited travelers who happened to be just as silly and outgoing as us! Our bags were packed and strapped to the top of the Jeep. Our aux cord was hooked up and we were ready to jam. The first stop was only a few minutes outside of Uyuni.

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Stop 1: Uyuni Train Cemetery: In the vast desert of southern Bolivia is where trains go to die. Watching grown adults climb on top of these old rusty train cars made me feel as though this was some sort of post-apocalyptic playground. This rather bizarre attraction made me eager to let my inner child run wild at this strange, yet fascinating place.  

Stop #2: We stopped at a small village called Colchani in Potosi for lunch where they served us chicken, veggies, and pasta. The food was rather bland and we joked around about how it needed salt. We didn’t come to Bolivia for the food, so we really didn’t mind. We bought a bottle of whiskey for the road to celebrate the first day of our adventure with our new friends.

Our excitement was building off one another eagerly waiting to see the miraculous salt flats. We passed around the bottle and danced in the back seat to our favorite tunes while our driver navigated through what felt like the middle of nowhere.

Stop #3: Our next stop was a massive empty space of nothingness with an infinite flat surface making it ideal for taking those wacky perspective photos. Start pinning ideas for photos before your trip and bring any props you might need. It’s also a good idea to bring a small tripod for your iPhone or camera, but not necessary. We used our empty beer cans and whiskey bottle as props and left with tons of Instagram-worthy shots taken by our driver and travel mates. 

Have you ever felt excited and scared at the same time? I recall a few movie scenes of drug lords burying stacks of cash and bad guys burying dead bodies in places such as this. Nothing but white and blue stretched for miles and miles and we could no longer see the mountain peaks in the distance. Void of anything as far as the eyes could see it was impossible for me to tell direction. I felt a bit disoriented, or maybe it was the whiskey, but I didn’t mind. It was an exhilarating feeling to live wild and free and let go of my constant need to be in control.

Stop #4: The next stop was a mound of salt that displayed flags brought by visitors from all over the world. Looking at the flags blowing in the wind, I felt such a strong desire to visit every country in this world, and have now made it my life goal. 

Stop #5: The final stop before nightfall was to watch the sunset, which was unlike anything I have ever seen before. When there is a thin sheet of water covering the surface, the Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats can act as a giant mirror. We all remember that guy who made the YouTube video of the “double rainbow”, well let’s just say my excitement was similar to his after seeing what I called the “double sunset”. As darkness took over the night sky and the mountain air became chilly we jumped back in the Jeep and headed to our hostel where they served us hot soup, chicken, and veggies.  

Day 2: Colorful, but very COLD!

Breakfast was available had we woke up on schedule, but after tossing and turning in our cold beds the night before we decided we needed the extra snooze time.

Stop #1: Laguna Verde or “Green Lagoon.” Arsenic and other minerals give the lake its green appearance, which changes colors based upon winds and sediment levels. And while the lake is pretty, you can’t help but also admire the looming volcanoes that act as a backdrop.

Stop #2: A stone jungle with Mars-like rock formations that looked like something right out of a Dali painting. The Arbol de Piedra or “Stone Tree” makes for some great photo ops. Years of erosion from sand and wind have created its peculiar shape that stands 23 feet tall.

Stop #3: We stopped for lunch and they served us tuna fish and veggies. I hate tuna fish so I didn’t have much. Luckily I bought a pack of Oreos in town the day before (I’m OBSESSED with Oreos).

Stop #4: Laguna Colorada is the most colorful lake I have ever seen and the water is said to be the actual blood of the gods. The most scientific explanation is the display of reddish hues has to do with the algae pigmentations mixing with natural sediments. We were also shocked to see Flamingos! Had these tropical birds lost their way? Apparently, there is a rare breed of Andean flamingos that flock to these lakes in Southern Bolivia!

The second night of this Bolivia salt flats tour was by far the coldest! It ended in a tiny little village in the middle of nowhere. Multiple tour Jeeps were unloading people and luggage when we arrived. I couldn’t wait for a hot shower and a warm meal. To use the showers, you must pay an additional 10 Bolivianos and to use a towel it’s an additional 5. Electricity was only available from 7-10 pm at a station with multiple plugs. You’ll want to plug in whatever you need to charge ahead of time before the electricity is turned on in order to hold your spot since there is limited availability. We were able to charge everything we needed for the next day without any issues. After getting settled in we walked to one of the stores to purchase a couple of water bottles and whatever alcohol we could find. Even in the middle of nowhere, there was certainly no shortage of places to find booze. We got a bottle of sparkling wine, a bottle of Singani, which is the local liquor, and a bottle of Sprite for mixing. We also found a deck of cards to play with our new friends.

Day 3: Last, but not least!

Stop #1: Geiser Sol de Manana! Such an otherworldly spot to visit! How often can you feel the force of nature and visit into the crater of an active and smoking volcano like this?

Stop #2: Hot Springs: The warmth of the steaming water in the icy mountain air is a sensation you don’t want to miss. Jump in the hot spring to turn up the heat.

From there it’s a 6-hour drive from the southern reaches of Bolivia back up to Uyuni. The day winds down by stopping at a few peculiar towns while passing many llamas and alpacas.

Stop # 3: Siloli Desert often name Salvador Dali Desert because its landscape resembles surrealist paintings by Salvador Dali. The desert was magnificent and bursting with color. There were fantastic photo opportunities wherever you looked.

Stop #4: Alota Canyon: Standing atop the vertigo-inducing cliffs was a perfect ending to our three-day adventure.

Overall this tour was one of the best experiences and I would most definitely label it to be bucket-list-worthy! We were so lucky to have shared this epic adventure with people who carry the same good vibes and passion for exploring this beautiful world. I hope the information in this blog leaves you better prepared than I was, and propels you in booking your trip to Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia.