Don’t Miss
Don't miss Lagunas Coloradas & Verdes, Incahuasi & Isla de Pescado, Sunset on the Salt Flats.
Though these are staples of most 3D/2N tours, be sure to specifically ask your tour provider to be sure they don't cut corners around these sights!
Consider
Consider extra time on the salt flats.
Ask how long you'll have on the salt flats themselves to take your perspective photos. Some tours actually don't spend a lot of time on the salt flats themselves! Consider a tour that will let you see the sunset from on or near the salt flats as well.
Skip The
Skip the smaller towns besides Uyuni.
Some tours will go through the towns anyway, but there's hardly anything of note in these towns. Nothing to ask specifically for in your negotiation phase, at least. Your time will be much better spent seeing the stunning landscape of the region.
The only real exception would be to see how salt is manufactured.
Ask about
Sunsets on the Salt Flats!
Many 3D/2N tours spend their first nights in salt hotels or other hostels in towns immediately surrounding the salt flats themselves. This makes it relatively easy for you to be able to spend your first night's sunset at or near the salt flats.
However, like all sights on the salt flats, ask specifically about it! Tours can cut corners, and a sunset at or near the Salar is one you want to see if at all possible.
Careful!
Careful! Some sights are inaccessible depending on the weather.
Though the rainy season can bring the mirror effect that so many visitors crave, it can also mean that too much water on the Salar makes it impossible to reach the lovely Incahausi and Isla de Pescado islands on the Salt Flats.
Be sure to specifically ask your tour guide if there is anything you won't be able to see before signing up for a tour.
On the Salar de Uyuni
Salar De Uyuni
Location: ABC
Typically Included on:
1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
Of course, the salt flats themselves are the principal attraction of any sort of Uyuni tour--it's why you're traveling thousands of miles to visit!
Typically, if you're planning to take a 3D/2N tour, you'll see the salt flats on the first day of your tour, especially if you're coming from Uyuni. If you're coming from Tupiza, then tours will typically take you to the salt flats on the last day of the tour. Some find this approach to be more dramatic, but it's not mandatory to enjoy this natural wonder, especially if you're more pressed for time and weren't planning on seeing Tupiza by itself.
Be sure to ask how long you will have on the actual salt flats themselves to take pictures--think the typical perspective/optical illusion images, because not every tour chooses to spend much time dedicated to pictures.
Note that the salt flat has "entry points" which are safe to enter and exit. Much of the border of the salt flats is unstable, with a sandy/muddy consistency, making it unsafe to enter with your car. Knowing where the safe entry points are, with enough rigidity in the surface to safely enter, is just one of the reasons why you should be very, very prepared if you want to DIY your visit and forgo the tour.
The Salt Mining Area
Location: Northeast part of salt flats & borders
Typically Included on:
1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
Closer to Uyuni, there are some edges of the salt flat where salt mining takes place.
They're not particularly impressive nor industrialized, but it's an interesting stop to see how the salt is piled into pyramid-like mounds and prepared to be harvested.
Plus, they tend to be on the way to the salt flats, so it's not too far out of the way to go visit.
Isla Incahausi
Location: On salt flats
Typically Included on: 1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
Isla Incahuasi is another classic features of almost all salt flat tours. In plain words, Incahuasi is a rocky, cactus-covered island in the middle of the salt flats.
A convenient lunch spot for many tours, it's also a great place for a quick hike and some landscape photos of the salar--you get a better perspective in some ways for wider landscape images since you'll be higher above the flat white surface.
Incahausi is the largest and most frequently visited island on the salar, the other being Isla de Pescado,
Note: It costs 30 Bolivianos to enter the island, and the island is sometimes inaccessible if the salar is flooded.
Isla de Pescado
Location: On salt flats
Typically Included on:
1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
Isla de Pescado is another, smaller island on the salt flats.
Not 100% necessary to visit if you've already seen Incahausi, this island has some appeal because it's less frequented by tourists and doesn't need an entry fee to explore.
If you've only got time to see one, prioritize Incahausi, but this is a great alternative as well!
Night Tours & Sunset Tours
Location: On salt flats
Typically Included on:
1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
In the past few years, we've seen an increase in night and sunset tours of the Salar.
More than specifically recommended these types of tours, and the providers who give them, we recommend the idea of looking into sunset or night tours of the Salar de Uyuni, if you're up for something a bit different.
Sunsets at the salar are also something you can should ask about on your regular salt flat tours.
Ojos del Salar
Location: On salt flats
Typically Included on:
1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
The Ojos del Salar, or "eyes" of the salt flats, are spots on the salt flat's normally relatively homogenous surface of salt where water has ruptured the surface.
Although the water from this ancient lake has (nearly) all dried up on its surface, it still has water content below it's surface, and the rivers that run below contribute to this phenomenon of the "eyes".
Depending on the particular "eye", the water can appear to be a deep blue or a bright red, owing to dramatically different chemical compositions than you'd find in most lakes.
Lakes and Lagoons
Laguna Hedionda
Location: Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, Southwest Potosí
Typically Included on:
1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
Named the stinking lake because of the sulphur that comes out of it, this lake doesn't have the distinctive bright colors of some of the others here on the list, but it does have flamingos!
The flamingos that appear here and at the Laguna Colorada are part of a separate that are very rare--it's often thought that they were extinct in the mid-1950s but they still exist in small numbers in the Bolivian altiplano. So, even though they seem to be omnipresent at the Lagoon they are quite endangered.
Oh, and the backdrop is quite stunning too--possibly the best out of all of the lagoons.
It might be not the top lagoon on the list, but it's commonly visited, and definitely worth visiting.
Laguna Colorada
Location: Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, Southwest Potosí
Typically Included on:
1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
The Laguna colorada is a bright pink lagoon that sites on the Southwest edge of Bolivia, within the limits of the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve.
Also home to quite a number of flamingos, it's over 4,000m above sea level, so it can be quite breathtaking, literally.
The bright pink with white spots of the lagoon give it a sharp contrast to the landscape behind and makes for quite the impressive view--definitely worth prioritizing. However, you can rest assured knowing that most, if not all, tours, include a visit to the Laguna Colorada in a standard 3D/2N tour.
Laguna Verde
Location: Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, Southwest Potosí
Typically Included on:
1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
Despite it's name, the laguna verde is actually much more of a emerald to turquoise colored lake in the Eduardo Avaroa National Park.
The 1.7 square kilometer Laguna verde challenges the Laguna Hedionda for the lagoon with the best backdrop, as the Licancabur volcano soars up above 19,000 feet in the background.
Like many of the other lagoons, this is a true highlight of Southwestern Bolivia and a must see on any salar tour.
Laguna Blanca
Location: Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, Southwest Potosí
Typically Included on:
1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
Close to the Laguna Verde, the laguna blanca also sits near the fantastic Licancabur volcano.
Much larger than the Laguna Verde, it's white color comes from suspended minerals in its water.
Chances are, you'll get a chance to see it while viewing the Laguna Verde.
Laguna Celeste
Location: Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, Southwest Potosí
Typically Included on:
1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
The Laguna Celeste is a lighter color than the Laguna Verde, owing to its magnesium and manganese content, and often visited on 3D/2N tours.
Geysers and Hot Springs
Sol de Mañana Geyser
Location: Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, Southwest Potosí
Typically Included on:
1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
The Sol de Mañana geyser basin is an area that contains several geysers, mud lakes and other geothermic features. It's location close to the lagoons in Eduardo Avaroa Reserve makes it a common, but not guaranteed, location on 3 day tours.
Definitely something to ask about when booking your tour, you won't want to miss geysers in this area that can shoot water dozens of feet into the sky.
Like much of this area, the touristic infrastructure is minimal at best, so keep an eye on where you walk and be sure not to disturb any of the formations that exist.
Consider also that this area is near or above 5,000m above sea level, so be sure to take lots of water and suncreen.
Aguas Termales de Polques
Location: Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, Southwest Potosí
Typically Included on:
1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
Another common destination on the middle day of a three day tour, these hot springs are a popular place to unwind near the end of the day, or early in the morning before making your way to the lagoons.
Though not the hottest of hot springs--the air can be quite cold too--it's worth the visit even if you don't get in because of its dramatic view overlooking the small Salar de Challviri.
If you're lucky, you might be able to even catch it with few other tourists around--ask your tour guide before going!
Natural Landscapes & Features
Arbol de Piedra
Location: Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, West Potosí
Typically Included on:
1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
The Árbol de Piedra, or tree of rock, is, as its name suggests, a particularly noteworthy rock formation that stands relatively alone on the windswept desert of Southwestern Bolivia.
Perhaps a sign of what's to come further south in the Dali Desert, it's a lovely natural monument that makes for a great foreground to landscape photos.
This formation tends to be visited by most 3 day tours to the Salar.
Salvador Dali Desert (Siloli Desert)
Location: Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, Southwest Potosí
Typically Included on:
1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
The Siloli Desert earns its nickname the Salvador Dali desert from the surreal landscapes and rock formations contained within it.
A common and easy comparison would be to compare it to traveling on another planet--Mars or the moon.
Amongst the highlights of the desert are the Piedra de Roca, and the Valle de Rocas.
Valle de Rocas
Location: Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, Southwest Potosí
Typically Included on:
1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
The "valley of rocks" is a common stopping point on the road between the Uyuni salt flats and the lagoons of Southwestern Bolivia. It's a common stopping point because of how the rock formations are shaped--as if they have been carved out by the whipping wind.
Though not complete wind tunnels or slot canyons, some of the formations come close. At the very least, it presents a contrast to many of the other areas nearby, which are largely devoid of large rock formations and are more desolate and open.
Volcán Tunupa
Location: North of Salt Flats, Northwestern Potosí
Typically Included on:
1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
You can't miss the Volcán Tunupa--it dominates the backgrounds of many images of the salt flats are it looms overlooking it. Some tours will allow you to hike up the volcano, where you will be rewarded with a 4,500m and above high view of the salt flats, depending on how high you can go.
Definitely recommended if you are physically active and have the extra time, one cannot understand just how demanding it can be, considering the altitude.
Ask around for tour possibilities--it just might be the highest altitude you reach in your lifetime.
Other Salt Flats
Salar de Coipasa
Location: Northeast of Uyuni salt flat, Northwestern Potosí
Typically Included on:
1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
Though there are other salt flats around the area frequented by "classic" salt flat tours, many of them are so small that they're not worth going to.
The exception is the Salar de Coipasa. Located to the northwest of the Uyuni salt flats, it's about 20-25% of the size of the Salar de Uyuni--meaning it's big enough to drive on, and big enough to get the vanishing horizon effect.
The main allure in visiting the Salar de Coipasa would be to get away from the crowds--though you can hardly call the regular tourist volume at the Salar de Uyuni crowds. It's more of a situation where you would really earmark a visit to the Salar de Coipasa if you wanted to be as alone as humanly possible.
Having said that, tours that operate to the Salar de Coipasa are limited, and it's often a special or negotiated tour that you'd have to setup to go there. It's also a possibility if you're trying to DIY your visit to the salar and have your own bike or land cruiser.
UPDATE: Check out our dedicated page about the Salar de Coipasa, tours that go there, and other need-to-know info for visiting.
The Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve
Location: Southwestern Potosí
Typically Included on:
1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
The Eduardo Avaroa national park is why multiple day excursions to the salt flats exist, and why they are so common.
Offering landscapes that wouldn't feel out of place somewhere like Iceland, it's truly a highlight not only of the trip, but of Bolivia itself--worth visiting even if there were no salt flats nearby.
Featuring several pristine colored lagoons, a desert nicknamed the Salvador Dali desert, and geothermic hot springs and geysers, it's absolutely worth spending the extra time and money to visit after the salt flats.
Note: entry into the park costs 150Bs, so have that amount set aside in cash if it's not included in your tour cost (it typically isn't).
Amongst its best highlights are:
- The Laguna Colorada
- The Laguna Verde
- The Sol de Mañana Geysers
- The Polques Hot Springs
Around the Salar de Uyuni
Colchani
Location: 20km north of Uyuni
Typically Included on:
1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
Colchani is a small town that lives off of salt production--it's right next to the salt flats and has become a relatively common stop early on 3D/2N tours.
Often you'll have the opportunity to speak with one of the salt miners and traders who can explain some of the various processes that are used to isolate, take salt from the salt flats, and make a livelihood off of salt production.
Museo Ferrocarril
Location: Town of Uyuni
Typically Included on:
1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
The Museo Ferrocarril, or train museum--different from the train graveyard--is actually located in the town of Uyuni. It's not typically included on any of the tours, and isn't a great highlight of the region.
But, if you're looking for some time to kill before or after your tour, this is a decent place to spend it.
The Train Graveyard
Location: Outside of the town of Uyuni
Typically Included on:
1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
The train graveyard is often one of the first sites that somebody will visit on a Uyuni tour, because it's close to the town of Uyuni itself.
In retrospect, it's rarely the highlight of anyone's trip, but it makes for some great photos and is a nice introduction into the remote and barren nature of terrain in this part of Bolivia.
The site contains several train tracks with old, abandoned and rusting trains. The deep red of the rusting sparks a great contrast to the scenery.
Sites Further Away
Pulacayo
Location: 20km northeast of Uyuni, central Potosí
Typically Included on:
1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
Pulacayo is a historical industrial site that's located only 20km from Uyuni. However, it's located to the east of the town, away from the Salar, and off of the path that most
probably all tours take to see the salt flats.
Once a bustling town, owing success to the thriving silver mines of the region, it is now very sparsely populated. If you haven't had the chance to see some of the other mines in the region, such as Potosí's Cerro Rico, then this might be worth a quick visit.
San Antonio de Lipez
Location: Southern Potosí
Typically Included on:
1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
Another town that dates to the 16th century and the thriving silver trade, San Antonio, unlike Pulacayo, is now 100% a ghost town.
This town is typically included on Tupiza tours, near the end of the first day, but is not often visited on tours starting from Uyuni.
El Sillar & Quebrada de Palala
Location: Southeastern Potosí
Typically Included on:
1 day tours, 3D/2N tours, Tupiza tours
El Sillar is an area closer to Tupiza known for its rock formations and colorful red/orange hills.
Some have compared it to Utah's Bryce Canyon national park.
Though this area isn't often visited by tours originating from Uyuni, it's commonly visited on the first day of Tupiza tours, and is largely similar to the landscape and topography of Tupiza in general.