Uyuni

Introduction

Train Churchyard of Uyuni

© HansNL

Uyuni is a town on the Bolivian Altiplano, located at an altitude of around 3,600 metres. While the town itself offers limited attractions, it serves as the main gateway to one of Bolivia's most extraordinary natural wonders, the Salar de Uyuni.

This vast salt flat, along with the surrounding high-altitude landscapes, draws travellers from around the world seeking surreal scenery, unique wildlife, and multi-day tours across the remote south-western region of the country.

Neighbourhoods

Uyuni is the main starting point for tours to the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat in the world. Formed from the remnants of a prehistoric lake, the salt crust stretches over 10,000 square kilometres and creates a surreal, white expanse that appears endless under the bright Andean sun. During the rainy season (typically January to March), a thin layer of water turns the salt into a vast mirror, reflecting the sky and creating striking photo opportunities.

Due to the flatness of the terrain, the salt flats are also used as a transport route across the Bolivian Altiplano. Many travellers explore the area on a multi-day jeep tour, which often includes overnight stays in remote desert villages and visits to other dramatic natural landscapes.

Popular stops along these tours include:

Isla Incahuasi (also known as Isla del Pescado), a rocky island in the middle of the flats, covered with towering cacti. The views from the top are especially impressive at sunrise.

Laguna Colorada, a red-coloured shallow lake with mineral-rich waters and large colonies of flamingos.

Laguna Verde, a striking green lake at the foot of the Licancabur Volcano. The colour varies with sunlight and wind.

Sol de Mañana, a high-altitude geothermal area with bubbling mud pools and active steam vents.

Desierto de Dalí, a barren desert with surreal rock formations resembling a Salvador Dalí painting.

In Uyuni itself (or just outside the town) is the Cementerio de Trenes, or train cemetery. This open-air site features dozens of abandoned steam locomotives, once used for transporting minerals. Today, it serves as a popular photo stop for travellers before beginning their salt flat adventure.

Tours can be booked online in advance or directly in Uyuni upon arrival. Most include meals, basic accommodation, and a guide. Prices and quality can vary, so it's worth comparing a few agencies in person when possible.

Weather

Uyuni has a harsh arid climate. Rain only falls from December to early March, the rest of the year is as dry as a bone. The best time to visit is the dry season from April untill November, though the second half of the period is better because temperatures are higher from late August onwards. Nights from May till early August can drop to -20 °C and average about -12 °C.

Getting There

By Plane

Joya Andina Airport (UYU) has flights to La Paz, Sucre and Rurrenabaque. Flight times are short, and while schedules can vary depending on the season, daily services are usually available. Flying is the fastest and most convenient option, especially for those on a tight itinerary or arriving from elsewhere in South America.

By Train

Trains connect Uyuni to Oruro north and to Tupiza and the border with Argentina at Villazon/La Quiaca. Services are operated by Empresa Ferroviaria Andina and tend to be reliable, though slower than buses or flights. Travellers often appreciate the opportunity to take in the Altiplano scenery along the way. It’s best to book tickets in advance during busy periods.

By Car

Driving to Uyuni is possible but not recommended for everyone. Roads in this region can be in poor condition, especially outside of major routes. A 4x4 vehicle is advisable if travelling independently, particularly in the wet season when some roads become impassable. Petrol stations can be few and far between, so topping up whenever possible is essential.

By Bus

Buses connect Uyuni to Oruro, La Paz, Tupiza, Sucre, Potosi, Santa Cruz and many other places throughout the country. Journey times can be long and roads are sometimes rough, but buses are a budget-friendly choice and widely used by locals and tourists alike. Several operators offer overnight services, especially on the La Paz–Uyuni route. Bring warm clothing, as night buses can be cold and blankets aren’t always provided.

Getting Around

By Car

Driving in Uyuni town is straightforward, but road conditions quickly deteriorate outside the main area. Most visitors join guided 4x4 tours to explore the salt flats and surrounding desert. Independent travel by car is possible but requires solid preparation, a good map or GPS, and ideally a high-clearance vehicle. Petrol stations can be inconsistent with supply, so topping up at every opportunity is essential.

By Foot

Uyuni is a small town and easily walkable. Most hotels, restaurants, tour offices and bus terminals are located within a few blocks of the main plaza, so there's little need for taxis or public transport within the town itself.

By Bike

Bicycle rental isn’t common in Uyuni itself, largely due to the rugged conditions outside town. However, a few operators offer bikes for short-term rental. Keep in mind that the altitude and dusty roads can make cycling more challenging than expected.

By Taxi

Taxis are available but are generally informal - often just unmarked cars. It’s common to agree on a price before getting in, as they rarely use metres. Rides around town are cheap and quick, useful if you’re carrying luggage or heading to the train station or airport.

By Tour Vehicle

Most people exploring the region do so as part of a tour in a 4WD vehicle. These tours are typically shared with small groups, and vehicles are driven by experienced local guides who know the terrain well. If you’re planning to visit the salt flats or venture south to the lagoons, geysers and hot springs, this is by far the most practical and popular option.

Sleep

The touristic infrastructure is solid with hotels for all travellers. For example, people may stay in one of the marvelous hotels built entirely of salt located in or near the salt flat, or in other picturesque 3 or 4-star hotels in Uyuni, with all facilities, including private toilets with hot water, heating and laundry. Hostels are also available for budget travellers.

Upscale

Keep Connected

Internet

There are internet cafés practically everywhere, they typically cost about 3Bs/hour, or about $0.50 per hour. Wifi is not as common as in many other Latin American countries, but more and more places offer it now, either free (sometimes for a limited amount of time) or at a cost. Avoid using your cellphone (with your home SIM card) when there is no wifi, as that's extremely expensive.

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

The country calling code to Bolivia is: 591. To make an international call from Bolivia, the code is: 0010. Emergency numbers include 110 (police), 118 (ambulance) and 119 (fire). Note that 911 forwards to the police (110).

Bolivia has three cellphone companies, Entel, Tigo, and Viva. If you are staying for a while, consider buying SIM cards for your cellphone. They are quite cheap and you get good network coverage in all main cities and towns. Entel sells good-priced international call possibilities for their SIMs. For example, you can buy 10 minutes for Bs20 (to be used in one day, disconnects automatically after expiration). You will need to register the SIM card at a local office of the telecom. You will need a photocopy of your passport and the mobile phone that you will use.

Practically every single town in Bolivia has an Entel office (almost always located in the main plaza). From here, you can make local, long-distance, and international calls. It's actually much more economical to make your international calls from an Entel office than to use an international calling card. To make local calls from a public phone, you need a phone card. You can buy them at any Entel office or any kiosk on the street. The average local call costs about Bs2 for 3 minutes.

Post

Correos Bolivia is the national postal service of the country. It offers a wide range of services at very reasonable prices. Services, speed and reliability are not up to the level it should be though and it can take several weeks for a simple card to arrive in Europe or North America. Most post offices in Bolivia are open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 8:00pm, Saturday from 8:30am to 6:00pm, and Sunday from 9:00am to noon. It costs Bs5 to mail a letter to the United States, Bs7 to Australia, and Bs6 to Europe. From time to time, you can buy stamps at kiosks and newspaper stands. There are no public mailboxes, so you'll have to mail your letter from the post office. If you want to send packages overseas it's best to use an international courier company like DHL, TNT, FedEx or UPS, as they offer fast and reliable services at competitive prices.

External Links

• Official Website