
Bolivian Life Quick Tip:
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Where To Begin Your Slat Flats Tour
Depending on where in Bolivia you’re traveling from, you can begin your tour in Uyuni, Tupiza or San Pedro de Atacama:Salt Flat Tours Leaving From Uyuni
- The most popular starting point for those traveling from the north of Bolivia to the south
- Over 75 tour agencies to choose from
- Tours range in length from 1 to 4 days
- Salt Flats are visited on the first day, with the tour ending in Uyuni. Most agencies will also offer the option to transfer onto San Pedro de Atacama or Tupiza at the end of the tour for an additional price
- Tours tend to be cheaper than the other starting points due to competition driving prices down
- Piedra Blanca Backpackers Hostel
- La Petite Porte
- Hotel de Sal Luna Salada
Salt Flat Tours Leaving From Tupiza
- A good option for those arriving in Bolivia from Argentina
- Less tour agencies to choose from than Uyuni
- Tours offered are usually 4 days at minimum with the extra day allowing you to see more of the spectacular Sud Lipez Province
- Tours visit the Salt Flats on the last day, ending in Uyuni with the option of returning to Tupiza
- Tours leaving from Tupiza tend to be slightly more expensive than those leaving from Uyuni, mainly because the drive is further and covers more ground.
- From Villazón – a 4 hour bus ride on paved road leaving from the main bus terminal. One way ticket costs around Bs. 15 ($2 US). Alternatively you can take the train.
- From La Paz – a 14 hour bus ride on paved road leaving daily from the main bus terminal in La Paz. An alternative option is to take a bus to Oruro and then take the train from Oruro to Tupiza (see FCA webstie for schedule and prices).
- From Potosi – a pleasant 6 hour bus journey leaving daily from Potosi’s new bus station at around 7am.
- Hotel La Torre
- Hostal Los Salares
- Hotel Mitru
Salt Flat Tours Leaving From San Pedro de Atacama
- A good option for anyone already in Chile
- Prices are a little higher due to it being a less popular starting point than Uyuni and Tupiza
- Majority of tours end in Uyuni
- Tours visit the Salt Flats on the final morning, allowing you to see the sun rise over the flats
- Hostal Mama Tierra
- Hostal Rural
- Hostal Candelaria
- Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa
- Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa
- Casa Solcor Boutique Bed & Breakfast
Tours Of Salar De Uyuni

Length of Tours
Salar de Uyuni tours range in length from from 1 to 4 days. For those with a limited travel schedule, a 1 day tour will allow you to experience the flats as well as a couple of sights in the surrounding area. Longer tours however will take you deeper into the desert where you’ll discover soaring volcanoes, steaming geysers, colorful lakes, warm hot-springs, unique wildlife and much, much more.Bolivian Life Quick Tip:
As voted the best way to travel around Bolivia and Peru, we highly recommend choosing Bolivia Hop as your means of transport. Their safe, flexible and trustworthy service have proven to be the best way of getting the most out of your time in South America!
Choosing a Tour Company
Due to Uyuni’s remote location and Bolivia’s overall lack of regulations, experiences are not always as hoped. Often it’s a case of “you get what you pay for”, and those looking for the cheapest option can be left with an unreliable, uncomfortable or unprofessional tour. Therefore, it’s vital travelers do their research, reading reviews on Trip Advisor,Lonely Planet Forums and other travel blogs, before committing to a tour.Booking a Tour
For those with a fixed travel itinerary, booking your Salar de Uyuni tour in advance, either online or in La Paz, is highly recommend for peace of mind and to ensure you get a reputable tour operator. That being said, booking on location offers greater freedom and flexibility, especially in terms of price. Because many tour operators don’t have a website, browsing the various agencies in person will allow you to price compare as well as ascertain the quality of tours first hand. Things to note:- Uyuni is a very small, nondescript pueblo with not much to offer in terms of tourist sights and activities. Booking a tour as soon as you arrive in Uyuni is highly recommended in order to avoid spending a whole day in the sleepy town.
- Salar de Uyuni tours are subject to cancellation based on bad weather conditions.
- Due to the unpredictable nature of Bolivia’s roads, political climate and weather conditions, we recommend contacting the tour company you’re traveling with at least 3 days in advance to confirm your booking.
- Most tour agencies offer the choice of group or private tours; the later being the more comfortable, albeit significantly more expensive option.
Costs
A 3 day / 2 night shared tour with a mid-range tour company costs roughly Bs 800-1400 per person ($125-$210 US). Tours on the higher end of this price scale tend to offer English speaking guides, sleeping bags, hot-water bottles, better quality food and accommodation. Whilst there are cheaper options to be found, we highly recommend spending the extra money to guarantee not only a fun time but a safe time.What’s Included

- Transportation in a Toyota 4×4 land cruiser (sharing with 6-7 other passengers)
- A guide
- Driver (on some occasions the guide will also be the driver depending on availability)
- Meals during the tour – first day (lunch and dinner), second day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and third day (breakfast). A vegetarian option is available, just make sure you state your preference when you book
- Accommodation
- Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama in Chile (at an extra cost, see below)
What’s Not Included
The following is generally not included in the standard tour price- Transport to Uyuni
- Entrance fees – A total of Bs 190 ($28 US) for the 3 day tour; 30 Bs for entry into Fish Island, 150 Bs for entry into the national park and 10 Bs for a hot shower
- Water – it’s recommend to purchase 2 liters per person, per day to take with you.
- Breakfast on first day, dinner on last day
What To Bring On Your Salt Flats Tour

- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Sunscreen – don’t forget to apply in and around nostrils as the sun’s reflection from the salt flats will burn them
- Clothes suitable for layering – a t-shirt during the day, a jumper in the evening, a warm jacket, gloves and wool socks at night
- Raincoat (from December to March)
- Comfortable Walking Shoes
- Flip Flops – for easy access to the thermal springs and for when it has been raining on the salt flats
- Swim Suit and Towel – for the hot springs
- Torch – as electricity in the hostels is usually turned off during the night
- Coins and Toilet Paper – you have to pay to use the public toilets
- Extra Water – around 2 liters per day is recommended
- Snacks – You are fed very well on the tour, however it’s always nice to have something to munch on during the long car rides
- Passport
Tips For Visiting Salar De Uyuni

Best Time To Visit Bolivia’s Salt Flats

Sample 3 Day / 2 Night Itinerary

- Train Graveyard
- Small village of Colchani to visit the salt miners’ worshop
- Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni salt flats)
- The original Salt Hotel where you can have a look and take pictures. You also have lunch here
- Inca Huasi Island (Fish Island / Cactus Island)
- Back to the Salt Flats where you are given time to take perspective photos
- Small Village of Agua Quisa where you have dinner and spend the night
- Wake up at 7am, have breakfast and leave at 8am
- Small desert of Chiguana on the south side of Salar de Uyuni where you stop at a lookout to view steamy volcanoes
- Stop at Andean lagoons to hang out with hundreds of flamingos
- Big desert of Siloli where you can see Arbol de Piedra (the rock tree)
- Red Lagoon with more flamingos
- “Sol de Mañana” geysers
- Hostel, dinner and the chance to enjoy the natural hot-springs under a starry sky
- Wake up at 7am, have breakfast and leave at 8am
- Dali desert
- Laguna Verde (the green lake)
- 6 hour ride back to Uyuni, arriving around 6pm (or drop off at the Chilean border for those heading to San Pedro de Atacama)
Leaving Salar de Uyuni

Have you been on a Salt Flats Tour in Bolivia? What was your experience like? Share in the comments below