The Uyuni Salt Flat at a glance
The Salar de Uyuni lies in the Potosí department in southwest Bolivia. It is the largest salt flat in the world, at roughly 10,000 square kilometres and about 3,600 m above sea level. Under the salt crust lies lithium-rich brine. The crust itself is salt, not a layer of lithium. Colchani, a village at the edge of the flat, is where small-scale salt processing is part of most tour routes.
The town of Uyuni is the usual starting point. You reach it by plane or night bus, or you cross from San Pedro de Atacama in Chile on a multi-day jeep tour. Almost everyone sees the flat on a guided tour, because the distances are large and the tracks are not marked. This guide covers the tours, the seasons, the main stops and the practical side, such as getting there, altitude and cash.
A day tour leaves around 10:30 and usually runs from the train cemetery to Colchani, the salt mounds and Incahuasi Island, with time for photos and sunset before you return to town. A 3-day tour adds highland lagoons, Laguna Colorada, geysers and hot springs, with two nights in simple lodges at altitude. Prices in this guide are 2026 amounts, and fees are often paid separately.
Our picks: Uyuni Salt Flat tours
The one-day tour is the simplest way onto the flat, and the sunset and stargazing evening suits you if you only have a few hours. The small-group trip from San Pedro runs three days and ends in Uyuni, with meals and a basic hostel included and park fees on top.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Three days from San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni
- Small group
- Meals included
- Basic hostel stay
Starts in San Pedro and ends in Uyuni, where you are dropped at the bus station or in the centre. Eduardo Avaroa at 150 BOB and Incahuasi at 30 BOB are extra.
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Sunset and stargazing evening on the salt flat
- Salt flat entry included
- 4x4 with driver-guide
- Pickup and return to the office
Five hours in a 4x4 with a driver-guide, from an office in Uyuni and back. Hotel pickup is only possible by prior arrangement.
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One-day salt flat tour with a Spanish-speaking guide
- Spanish-speaking guide
- Drinking water
- Photo stops
The shortest, simplest way onto the flat: one day with transport and a guide. Pickup details are confirmed once you pick a date.
Check availability →Uyuni Salt Flat tours
Day tours, 3-day jeep tours and trips from San Pedro de Atacama, with current prices and availability.
Choose your tour
Pick the length first. The rest of the plan follows from it.
Uyuni Salt Flat tours compared
Day trips, 3-day tours and 4-day trips side by side, with 2026 examples.
The 3-day Uyuni tour
Route, nights at altitude, park fees and where the tour ends.
From San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni
The one-way route, the 4-day return and the border crossing.
Sunset and stars
Sunset on the day tour, the evening trip and what to wear.
Places, seasons and practical advice
What you will see and what to sort out before you go.
The mirror effect
When a thin layer of water turns the flat into a mirror, and what it changes.
Best time to visit
Dry crust or mirror water, and how cold the nights get.
Incahuasi Island
Giant cacti, the viewpoint and why the island can drop out of a tour.
The train cemetery
Rusting locomotives a short drive from town, usually the first stop.
Laguna Colorada
The red lagoon in the Eduardo Avaroa reserve and the fee that goes with it.
Getting to Uyuni
Flights, night buses and the train, with what to check first.
Altitude
General advice for nights above 3,000 m.
What to pack
Layers, sun protection and cash in bolivianos.
Salt hotels
Hotels at the edge of the flat and simple salt lodges on tour.
A few things to know before you go
Details that decide cost and route.
The BOB 150 fee belongs to the reserve
The fee of BOB 150 applies to the Eduardo Avaroa reserve, which the multi-day tours enter. The salt flat, Incahuasi Island and the hot spring pools are separate items. Day tours charge BOB 30 per person for Incahuasi. These are 2026 amounts, and they can change.
Laguna Colorada and the reserve →Incahuasi is not guaranteed
When the flat is flooded, operators replace the island with mirror photos. A tour title or a calendar month does not promise the island.
Incahuasi Island →Visa for US citizens
As of May 2026, US citizens can stay in Bolivia without a visa as tourists for under 90 days per year. German passport holders can stay up to 90 days per calendar year without a visa. Rules differ by nationality, so check yours.
Fuel shortage in September 2026
In September 2026, fuel shortages in Uyuni led to cancelled tours. Check the current situation before you book.
Compare tours →Uyuni Salt Flat: frequently asked questions
How many days do I need for the Uyuni Salt Flat?
A day tour covers the train cemetery, Colchani, the salt mounds and, when the flat is dry, Incahuasi Island. If you also want the lagoons, flamingos and hot springs, plan 3 days. Trips from San Pedro de Atacama take 3 or 4 days. See the tour comparison.
When is the best time to visit?
It depends on what you want. The rainy season brings mirror conditions, usually from December to March, and the dry season brings walkable crust and island access. Neither is the best season for everyone. The page on the best time to visit explains both.
How much does a tour cost?
In 2026, one day tour costs $79 per person and another $50 until 31 December 2026. A 3-day tour from Uyuni costs $195 to $229. Park fees, water and snacks are often extra.
Do I need a visa for Bolivia?
As of May 2026, US citizens need no visa for tourist stays of under 90 days per year. German passport holders can stay up to 90 days per calendar year without a visa. Rules can change, so check them for your nationality before you go.
Will I feel the altitude?
The salt flat lies at about 3,600 m, and multi-day tours sleep higher. Altitude illness can affect anyone, including fit people. Read the general advice on altitude and talk to a doctor before the trip.
Is UyuniSaltFlat.org an official site?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It has no connection with Bolivia's tourism authorities, the national protected areas service, the Eduardo Avaroa reserve or any tour operator or hotel.