Brave the cold winds and inhospitable wilderness of highland Bolivia to experience the spectacular natural wonders of Uyuni. This town is a gateway to the nation’s famous, breathtaking salt flats. Linger in the town for a warm welcome from the locals and to see some curious, lesser-known attractions.
Start your exploration of Uyuni in the Train Cemetery, a striking feature that recalls the town’s trading past. As train networks were planned and then abandoned in the area, all the locomotives were left here. Walk among the rusted shells of historic engines, each left hollow by the salt winds of the region.
Marvel at the stark, dazzling white terrain of Salar de Uyuni, the world’s biggest salt flats. This mesmerizing, alien landscape spreads out for 4,000 square miles (10,360 square kilometers) outside the town. Watch as the rainfall rests on the flats, creating a reflective surface on the plains.
Explore a salt hotel or even stay in one of them. Join a tour from the town of Uyuni to witness the salt flats and its unique sights.
To see other ways that Bolivians use these minerals, visit the town of Colchani. Learn how the material on the ground becomes a table condiment in the salt factory. Buy souvenirs carved from salt.
Back in the town of Uyuni, learn about the history of its people in the Archaeology and Anthropology Museum of the Southern Andes. See ceramics, textiles and other artifacts from local cultures.
Uyuni is in southwest Bolivia, about 130 miles (210 kilometers) from the city of Potosi, the department capital. Book tickets in advance for a bus from La Paz, Sucre or Potosi to travel into Uyuni. Occasional flights from La Paz and Santa Cruz fly into the small Joya Andina Airport, located directly outside the town.
Visit Uyuni between July and October for the most accommodating climate. Alternatively, come here in the wet season of November through April to see the salt flats take on their mirror-like quality.
