Car standing in middle of salt flat reflecting blue sky, Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Things to do in  Uyuni

Salt of the earth

Last call for creature comforts: Uyuni is a tight cluster of tour agencies, restaurants, and hotels on the edge of the world’s largest salt flat. It’s a natural wonder that brings travelers from around the world—so it’ll come as no surprise that tours of the Salar de Uyuni are the most popular things to do in Uyuni. But there’s more to see than salt—the Atiplano is dotted by colorful volcanoes, high-altitude lagoons, and the haunting industrial remains of the Train Cemetery (Cementerio de Trenes).

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Top 3 attractions in Uyuni

#1

Train Cemetery (Cementerio de Trenes)

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At the Train Cemetery (Cementerio de Trenes) on the outskirts of Uyuni, hollowed out locomotive shells from Bolivia’s Gilded Age sit out in the open, many heavily corroded from the salt of the nearby Salar de Uyuni—the world’s largest salt flat. The train bodies are climbable, and one has even been converted into a swing.More
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#2

Tunupa Volcano

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The multi-hued cone of Tunupa Volcano rises 17,457 feet (5,321 meters) above an expanse of white salt. Though reaching the frigid summit requires some mountaineering, a more accessible viewpoint at 15,500 feet (4,724 meters) offers sweeping views of Uyuni Salt Flat (Salar de Uyuni).More
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#3

Salar de Uyuni

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In Bolivia’s Altiplano, Salar de Uyuni—a 4,086-square-mile (10,582-square-kilometer) stretch of land encrusted with thick etchings of salt—is the world’s largest salt flat. Salar de Uyuni is famed for its massive scale and mirror effect during the wet season, a feature that has led it to be named a natural wonder of the world.More
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Explore Uyuni by interest

Top activities in Uyuni

3-Day Tour to Salt Flats and Lagoons

3-Day Tour to Salt Flats and Lagoons

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$294.24
Uyuni Salt Flats Private 3 day tour (Palacio Sal 5* & Tayka 3* hotels)

Uyuni Salt Flats Private 3 day tour (Palacio Sal 5* & Tayka 3* hotels)

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$1,250.00
Private Day Trip Salar de Uyuni

Private Day Trip Salar de Uyuni

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$198.00
Uyuni Salt Flats 3 Days/ 2 Nights with English Speaking Guide

Uyuni Salt Flats 3 Days/ 2 Nights with English Speaking Guide

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$265.00
2-Days Uyuni Salt Flats including Laguna Colorada

2-Days Uyuni Salt Flats including Laguna Colorada

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$798.00
Full day Salar- Sunset and Stars; Magic Salar

Full day Salar- Sunset and Stars; Magic Salar

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$397.00
per group
Uyuni Salt Flats (Day Trip) English Guide

Uyuni Salt Flats (Day Trip) English Guide

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$100.00
Salar de Uyuni 1 day + photo session + Sunset (spanish)

Salar de Uyuni 1 day + photo session + Sunset (spanish)

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$57.83
Salar de Uyuni - 1 full day tour

Salar de Uyuni - 1 full day tour

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$63.00
From Uyuni: Uyuni Salt Flats 1-Day + Lunch and Sunset
Special Offer

From Uyuni: Uyuni Salt Flats 1-Day + Lunch and Sunset

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$39.90
$42.00  $2.10 savings
Uyuni Salt Flats day tour (4 Small Group)

Uyuni Salt Flats day tour (4 Small Group)

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$195.00
Salar de Uyuni with Lodging - 2 full days - With Minor Lagoons

Salar de Uyuni with Lodging - 2 full days - With Minor Lagoons

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$339.00
Uyuni Salt Flats (3 Days) English Speaking Guide

Uyuni Salt Flats (3 Days) English Speaking Guide

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$300.00
Salar de Uyuni tours 2 days

Salar de Uyuni tours 2 days

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$160.00
Salar De Uyuni (3 Days) Spanish Speaking Guide

Salar De Uyuni (3 Days) Spanish Speaking Guide

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$220.00
Uyuni Salt Flats - Full day tour from Uyuni

Uyuni Salt Flats - Full day tour from Uyuni

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$51.00
SALT FLATS TOUR UYUNI - 1 DAY | Including English Speaking Guide

SALT FLATS TOUR UYUNI - 1 DAY | Including English Speaking Guide

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$75.00
Uyuni Salt Flats Full Day Tour

Uyuni Salt Flats Full Day Tour

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$117.00
Salar de Uyuni + Bus bed La Paz-Uyuni round trip + Breakfast. Tours (1 day)

Salar de Uyuni + Bus bed La Paz-Uyuni round trip + Breakfast. Tours (1 day)

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$141.54
Salar de Uyuni tours 1 day

Salar de Uyuni tours 1 day

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$59.00
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All about Uyuni

When to visit

Rainfall transforms the Salar de Uyuni from crystallized expanse to shining mirror; so when it comes to seasons, the key choice is between wet or dry. Stormy weather from December through April floods the salt flats, creating a natural reflecting pool that’s a favorite for photographers. From May through November, intricate patterns appear in the salt; you’ll enjoy sunny weather ideal for hiking and exploring.

Getting around

Uyuni itself is a compact grid of streets, with many of its hotels, restaurants, and shops located within walking distance of the downtown bus terminal. The city’s Joya Uyuni Airport is just 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) from the city center, a quick trip serviced by ample local taxis. Since navigating the vast Salar de Uyuni requires a rugged vehicle and confident driving, nearly all visitors opt to explore it on guided tours—though bike trips are growing in popularity.

Traveler tips

The Salar de Uyuni’s extreme flatness means distances and sizes can be deceptive, making this a great place to play with perspective photography. Before departing on a tour, pack a few props to use in your photos: Some fun options include spoons, beer bottles, coins, or a plastic dinosaur you can use in a Jurassic Park–inspired scene.

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People Also Ask

Is Uyuni town worth visiting?

Yes, it’s worth visiting Uyuni town. While it’s the nearby Salar de Uyuni that draws travelers from around the world, Uyuni is an essential stop for accommodations, information, and supplies. It’s also a great place to pick up local souvenirs, including handicrafts and salt produced in nearby communities.

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How many days do you need in Uyuni?

You only need one day to tour the closest highlights of the Salar de Uyuni, such as Incahuasi Island and Train Cemetery (Cementerio de Trenes). Staying longer pays off, however: 2- or 3-day tours visit farther-flung places including Tunupa Volcano to Laguna Colorada—some even stay overnight on the Salar de Uyuni.

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What time of year is best for Uyuni?

The December-April wet season turns the Salar de Uyuni into a giant mirror that reflects clouds and sky—it’s a dramatic effect and a popular time to visit. But Uyuni is a year-round destination, with its May–November dry season perfect for star-gazing and outdoor exploring under clear skies.

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What is Uyuni best known for?

Uyuni’s backyard is the world’s largest salt flat, an expanse that stretches for more than 4,000 square miles (10,360 square kilometers). The Salar de Uyuni is considered one of the world’s most extreme environments, home to animals—from flamingoes to wild, llama-like vicuñas—that have adapted to very harsh conditions.

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Can you eat the salt from Salar de Uyuni?

Yes, you can eat the salt from the Salar de Uyuni. Many adjacent communities harvest the salt as a sustainable cottage industry, and you can find bags of salt for sale throughout Uyuni town. Some seek out the salt because it’s mineral-rich, with high percentages of lithium, potassium, and magnesium.

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What does Uyuni mean in Spanish?

While “salar” simply means “salt flat” in Spanish, Uyuni comes from the Indigenous Aymara language. The word “uyu” translates to “enclosure” or “pen,” while “ni” indicates ownership. Put them together, and Uyuni means “someone who has an enclosure or pen.” The precise reason for the name? No one really knows..

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Frequently Asked Questions
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