ADVERTISER DISCLOSURE: The Frugal Tourist is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as MileValue.com and Cardratings. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. All information about the American Express Schwab Platinum has been collected independently by The Frugal Tourist.

EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. 

★★★★★

SALAR DE UYUNI, located in Bolivia’s high plateau (altiplano), is the world’s largest and highest salt flats.  

It is one of those surreal locations on this planet that can be fittingly described as other-worldly.

Reaching this astounding destination requires some effort and conscientious planning.  

In this blog post, I’ll share essential tips to make your journey to this part of the world a successful one.

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Salar De Uyuni Stats
Total Land Area: 12,106 sq km
Altitude: 3653 meters (11,984 feet)

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How Did Salar De Uyuni Form?

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This endless expanse was occupied by Lake Minchin about 30,000 years ago before it completely evaporated and was replaced by Lake Tauca and other small lakes.

Due to these lakes’ high altitude location, there were no drainage outlets, so minerals that originated from the mountains flowed and settled into them, eventually becoming salt when the lakes dried up.

A rise in temperatures coupled with a change in climate from wet to dry caused the water to slowly evaporate. As this water evaporated, high salinity levels caused a thick salt crust to form, leaving behind the impressive salt flat that we see today. Water underneath the salt flat continues to evaporate under the heat of the sun, leaving behind more salt on the surface. The rate of evaporation is ten times more than precipitation, meaning that Salar de Uyuni is a never ending salt source!

www.salardeuyuni.com

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Before Your Trip to Salar De Uyuni

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1. Passport & Visa

Bolivia requires that your passport be valid for at least 6 months after entering the country.

Please check the visa requirements for your particular nationality as well.

As of December 2019, U.S. Citizens are no longer required to have a visa to enter the country for stays no more than 30 days.

I used my Philippine passport to enter Bolivia visa-free.

It is always good practice to do the following before any trip:

• Photocopy your passport and other travel documents
• Scan your passport and other travel documents and email the pages to yourself

2. Yellow Fever Vaccine & Certificate

Certain regions of Bolivia are known hot spots for Yellow Fever.

You should have proof of vaccination against yellow fever before entering the country.

They may deny your entry if you do not have this on hand.

3. Travel Insurance

Traveling to the Salt Flats?

You may want to consider purchasing travel insurance with adequate coverage.

It is not uncommon for some travelers to get incredibly sick because of extreme weather and altitude conditions.

4. Obtain Altitude Sickness Medications

Pay your travel nurse a visit a month or so before your trip and mention that you will need an altitude sickness prescription in addition to the Yellow Fever vaccine requirement mentioned above.

The majority of travelers, including myself, end up needing it.

5. Prepare your Props for Perspective Play at the Salt Flats

Dinosaurs, Empty Pringles Containers, Beer bottles—the sky’s the limit on what you can experiment with in one of the flattest places on the planet.

This article has valuable photography tips, including recommended angles and props for exploring perspective play.

Another suggestion is to search Instagram for creative ideas from other imaginative travelers (type #salardeuyuni in the search box).

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5 Essential Tips to Survive Salar De Uyuni

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1. Acclimation

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Salar De Uyuni is almost 12,000 feet above sea level.

Unfortunately, tourists in this region of the world often suffer from altitude sickness.

For this reason, it is imperative that careful and methodical planning be devoted to acclimation.

Landing in La Paz (city: 12,000 feet, airport: 14,000 feet) and staying in the city for 2-3 days before embarking on the Salar tour allows the traveler to get accustomed to the soaring altitude while having access to hospitals in the event symptoms become unbearable.

Below is my itinerary when I visited Bolivia. As you can see, I spent four days adjusting to the extreme altitude before embarking on the three-day cross-country Salar De Uyuni tour to Chile.

Color me overly cautious, but I have had a few bouts with altitude sickness in Nepal and Peru, so I was unwilling to take any chances.

I also traveled solo for this trip, so I had to be exceedingly careful not to get sick, as I could only depend on myself.

Furthermore, one “sick” day could drastically derail my itinerary.

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Day	Activity
1	Arrival in La Paz, Bolivia from SFO. Acclimation.
2	Acclimation in La Paz, Bolivia (Cable Car Tour)
3	Acclimation in La Paz, Bolivia (Archaeological & City Tour)
4	Acclimation. Fly to Uyuni, overnight at hotel.
5	Embark on the 3-day, 2-night Uyuni to Atacama, Chile tour
6	Day 2 of the tour. On the road to Chile
7	Day 3 of the tour. Border Crossing with Chile for San Pedro De Atacama

To accustom my lungs to the reduced oxygen levels in La Paz, I intentionally crafted a mellow sightseeing itinerary that involved riding the cable car on day one and touring the city and an archaeological site the following day.

When I arrived in Uyuni, which was slightly lower in altitude than La Paz, my respiratory system was in tip-top shape, and I did not have to stop every few steps to take deep breaths.

Aside from spending some time adjusting to the high altitude before the trip, travelers can also take Diamox (prescription) and Chlorophyll tablets.

It should be noted that if you only plan to explore the Salt Flats, it is not necessary to carve out a few days acclimating as altitude sickness only usually occurs during the journey towards the border with Chile, which reaches up to 15,400 feet.

Sadly, I met a family in Uyuni who had to cut their trip short because one of the daughters exhibited symptoms of altitude sickness.

More terrifyingly, I witnessed a lady who passed out and required oxygen in the remote region between Chile and Bolivia. She had to descend to lower ground quickly.

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2. Decide on What Tour to Take

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a. Wet Season or Dry Season?

The Salt Flats are indisputably famous for their capacity to transform themselves into the planet’s largest mirror during the rainy season.

After a substantial downpour, Salar naturally provides an enigmatic reflection of anything that faces and touches it. It gives the illusion that you’re walking on the clouds.

It is quite challenging to pinpoint exactly where the salt flats end and where the horizon begins; they magically merge into one when the salt flats are covered with water.

However, this spellbinding phenomenon only occurs for a few months in a year, typically from late December to early April, and due to climate change, it has been increasingly more challenging to predict when the rains will fall in the past few years.

Moreover, heavy rains normally flood some portions of the Salt Flats, making certain sections virtually inaccessible, so you definitely do not want to wish for a lot of rain during your trip, either.

Prepare to adjust your expectations if rain does not arrive during your visit.

Salar De Uyuni is mesmerizing any month of the year and is a favorite destination for photographers in any season.

If you are risk-averse, visiting between June and November guarantees that all sites are flood-free and accessible.

b. Salt Flat Day Tours or 3-Day Tour to the Border with Chile?

I opted to take the 3-day tour to the Atacama Desert in Chile.

It was certainly a challenge in more ways than one, but I was fortunate to have developed a wonderful rapport with my tour mates, and our driver/guide was incredibly mindful of our needs.

If you are not up for the extreme altitude and harsh weather obstacles, I recommend staying put in Uyuni and joining the various itineraries offered by tour agencies in the town instead.

Not only will you escape the respiratory challenges along the way, but you will also have more opportunities to spend time in the Salt Flats.

Additionally, aside from avoiding the lung-busting, hypothermia-inducing, 15,000 feet passage to Chile, you do not entirely forfeit your ability to visit the Atacama Desert as it is possible to take the public bus or train to San Pedro De Atacama a few days a week or fly to Chile via La Paz.

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	1-Day Salt Flat Tour	3-Day Tour to Atacama, Chile
Pros	– More time in Salar De Uyuni – Able to take various tours, including sunset, sunrise, and mid-day tours. – No or low risk of altitude sickness – More options for accommodations – More budget-friendly	– Mindblowingly diverse sceneries between Bolivia & Chile – Able to hit two birds with one stone: See two South American highlights in one trip (Salar and Atacama) – Saves time and resources.
Cons	– Will relinquish the opportunity to see the marvelous landscapes between Bolivia and Chile. – Will not be able to see the Atacama Desert on this trip.	– Increased likelihood of experiencing altitude sickness – Accommodations are very basic – Extreme weather conditions – Almost absent creature comforts – More expensive

If you want to skip Chile altogether to have more time exploring Bolivia, another tour option is to take the 3-day tour, but instead of ending in the Atacama Desert, the last day will be devoted to your return trip to Uyuni.

Surprisingly, I was the only one of the six who took my tour who went to Atacama. The other five returned to Uyuni.

c. Where to Start? Uyuni or Tupiza?

Many travelers kickstart their Salar De Uyuni tours from Uyuni, but a few companies offer similar itineraries from Tupiza.

Tours from Tupiza are recommended by seasoned travelers because they are reportedly more organized, they offer better facilities, and their drivers reputably put a premium on safety more than their overworked Uyuni counterparts.

Furthermore, Tupiza, with its evocative Wild West setting, is a destination in its own right, whereas Uyuni has truly nothing to offer in terms of worthy tourist attractions.

Even though Tupiza is superior to Uyuni, their tours run a day or so longer and, therefore, cost more money and time.

If you choose Tupiza, spend at least a day or two exploring the outdoors on foot or horseback located on the outskirts of town.

d. Choose Your Tour Company Wisely

Fatal crashes have happened in the past at Salar due to drunk driving.

At least 10 tourists have lost their lives this past decade because of these horrendous accidents.

Sadly, the usual culprit is typically exhausted tour drivers who double up as tour guides.

As a customer, ensure that you select a reputable company that will prioritize safety over everything else.

Cutting costs and picking the cheapest available option invariably equate to joining a tour guaranteed to cut corners, thus potentially jeopardizing your safety and comfort.

Before committing to a particular agency, do your due diligence by researching online and reading reviews.

It may also be beneficial to express your expectations to the tour company verbally and let them know that you would not tolerate drinking under any circumstances.

Lonely Planet Bolivia recommended Cordillera Traveller as a reputable company that can arrange border crossings to Chile, so I signed up with them.

They are also well-reviewed on Google. Overall, I was pleased with their service.

e. Custom/Private Tour or Package Tour?

If money is not a concern, then hiring companies for a customized tour based on what you want to see and how long you want to stay in a particular region is possible.

Since these tours are significantly more expensive, they generally provide better services, transport, and accommodations.

Regarding lodging, package tours ordinarily book tourists in dormitory-style settings with limited creature comforts and heat.

I strongly suggest booking a private tour if privacy and comfort are important.

f. Book Ahead of Time

Particularly crucial during peak season, the popular companies usually sell out way in advance. You would not want to run out of tours when you get to Uyuni.

Worse, you do not want to sign up with an unpopular company that can possibly compromise your safety. Book or reserve a spot ahead of time.

I found Cordillera Traveler from Lonely Planet. My other five tour mates found Cordillera via Google Search and by reading reviews from other travelers.

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3. Bring Cash or Local Currency

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Before embarking on the 3-day tour towards the border with Chile, make sure to withdraw local currency in Uyuni, La Paz, or Tupiza, as there are no ATMs available en route.

Practically everything is not free. Below is a list of expenses you would need to plan for in advance:

• Entrance to Isla Incahuasi (optional)
• Entrance to Laguna Colorada (mandatory)
• Snacks
• Showers
• WiFi
• Restrooms
• Sleeping bag rental
• Tips

An exit fee is also charged at the Bolivian border outpost before tourists can proceed to the Chilean border. Please ask your tour operator for the required amount, as it varies depending on your nationality.

Thankfully, the first delightful stop on tours originating from Uyuni, the Train Cemetery, was free to explore. Nearby, we also visited a market where we purchased other essentials such as snacks, drinks, etc.

Another memorable highlight was Isla Incahuasi, a cactus-filled island smacked in the middle of the vast white expanse of salt flats.

As mentioned above, it requires a fee to enter and is optional to pay. This is an unforgettable experience, and hiking amidst thorny cacti with boundless views of white as far as the eyes can see was worth every penny.

Laguna Colorada, inside the Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa, also charges a mandatory entrance fee as it appears to be the only passageway en route to the border with Chile.

During my visit, the winds were bitterly cold and had hurricane-level velocity, so be sure to bundle up. Flamingos are omnipresent.

4. Bring Portable Batteries and Chargers

Electrical sockets are few and far between, so take portable power banks and extra batteries, as you’ll certainly be snapping photos every minute of this tour.

Salar De Uyuni is a sight to behold, but the salt flats are not the only stars in the show.

The three-day tour to the border with Chile includes many showstoppers, including stunning volcanoes, steaming geysers, pristine lakes, and gorgeous fauna. Be prepared also to see countless flamingoes.

I counted down the 10 marvelous highlights that you will see when you take the 3-day Salar De Uyuni circuit in this blog post.

5. Prepare for Cold Weather

Unless you are participating in any of the expensive private tours, be forewarned that accommodations are extremely rudimentary, with dormitory-style sleeping arrangements and inadequate heating.

Frigid is an understatement to describe the below-freezing temperatures you are most likely to face near the border with Chile.

The second night was uncomfortable in terms of breathing and warmth, so drastically lower your expectations and realistically prepare to experience some discomfort. The scenery is totally worth it.

Even during the summer, temperatures above freezing in the altiplano are uncommon, so snow pants, hand warmers, beanies, down jackets, etc., will be useful.

You can also bring your own sleeping bag or rent one from your tour company. I rented mine, and it’s an absolute necessity.

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Other Useful Tips Before Your Trip

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a. Book Your International Flights Using Miles

Since I flew to Bolivia during high season (I spent NYE in the Salt Flats!), I wanted to avoid paying a premium for a plane ticket, so I booked using miles.

I accrue points by applying for credit cards and then booking my flights way in advance, so I’m guaranteed to obtain a reward seat on the plane.

If you’d like to learn more, feel free to join our free Travel Miles and Points Facebook Group.

b. Book Your Domestic Connection

If you are flying, booking your flights as soon as you have a definite time frame is best.

I booked my flights with Amaszonas Airlines about 6-7 months before my trip because I went to Bolivia during their busy Christmas holiday.

Taking the train or public bus should be a bit easier as there are multiple daily options, but it is advisable to pre-book at least a day or two in advance, especially during high season.

c. Pre-book Your Accommodations

Accommodations are basic practically everywhere, so make sure you do your research by reading reviews before booking.

Accommodations are included in the tour price if you are joining the 3-day, 2-night odyssey from Uyuni to San Pedro De Atacama, Chile.

However, expect sleeping quarters up in the mountains to be uncomfortably barebones.

Where I Stayed:

In La Paz, I stayed at Tinka Hotel, which I reserved on booking.com. It was centrally located in a safe area within walking distance of the cable car station and downtown.

In Uyuni, I stayed at Hotel Jumari reserved on booking.com. It was near the airport and Uyuni’s main drag, making various restaurants and tour companies easily accessible.

Spending a night in an ice hotel is also possible, although substantially more costly. This is an option if you are joining a private tour.

d. Prepare Your Gear

Do not underestimate the sub-zero climate up in the antiplano.

Prepare appropriate outerwear and purchase hand warmers, as they were invaluable during the trip.

• Handwarmers
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Lip Balm with SPF
• Headlight
• Scarf
• Gloves
• Coats/Jackets
• Quick-dry towels
• Hiking boots
• Sleeping bag
• Portable Battery for your camera and phones
• Water bottle
• Day pack
• Moneybag
• Warm Socks
• Gorilla Tripod
• Hand Sanitizer
• Wipes
• Other toiletries
• Medications

e. Guidebooks

I am a big fan of Lonely Planet books, so I bought the book Lonely Planet Bolivia from Amazon before the trip.

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Final Thoughts

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A trip to Salar de Uyuni is an experience of a lifetime that requires careful planning and preparation.

Following these essential tips ensures a smooth and enjoyable journey to one of the most stunning places on earth.

From packing the right gear to knowing the best time to visit, these tips will help make your trip to Salar de Uyuni unforgettable.

So, before embarking on your adventure, remember these pointers and prepare for a breathtaking journey through the world’s largest salt flat.

ADVERTISER DISCLOSURE: The Frugal Tourist is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as MileValue.com and Cardratings. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. All information about the American Express Schwab Platinum has been collected independently by The Frugal Tourist.

EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. 

USER-GENERATED CONTENT DISCLOSURE: The comments section below is not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all questions are answered.

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