Salar de Uyuni: Everything You Need to Know in 2026

The Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia) is one of the most spectacular destinations in all of South America. Every international travel guide, forum, and publication points to it as a must-see, one of those unique places that all its visitors hold in their memory forever. To make your visit easier, we've compiled everything you need to know in this article in a frequently asked questions format. Enjoy the Salar de Uyuni the best way possible! [Updated information for the 2026-2027 season]

How much time do you need to visit the Salar de Uyuni?

Before answering this question, it's important to clarify that the Salar de Uyuni, properly speaking, is the largest salt desert on Earth. The city of Uyuni (Bolivia) is right at the beginning of this magnificent natural place and from there you could see it in just one day.

That said, it's worth noting that the Salar de Uyuni tour is generally discussed as a trip lasting between two and four days, not just because of this giant white expanse, but as a route that also includes numerous attractions of the Bolivian highlands, such as spectacular lagoons of various colors, rock formations, and a unique desert environment full of native wildlife.

Where can I take the Salar de Uyuni tour from?

1. From Uyuni (Bolivia). Tours can be booked from the Bolivian city itself. There various companies operate and offer uneven quality. We recommend looking for references from tour operators and not relying solely on price. Tour duration varies from 1 to 4 days. Here you can find all the tours from Uyuni to the salt flat.

2. From San Pedro de Atacama (Chile). In general, Chilean operators offer a higher quality standard, though we also recommend seeking recommendations before booking. There are 4-day and 3-day tours, depending on whether you want to return to the Chilean town or end in the city of Uyuni. And if you don't want to risk very basic accommodations, there's the option of taking the private tour with superior lodging in hotels.

3. From Tupiza (Bolivia). If you're coming from Salta or the surrounding area, this route will be perfect for you to continue heading north, or if you take it from Uyuni to Tupiza it will be ideal for continuing through northern Argentina.  Here you can find the Salar Uyuni tour from Tupiza.

4. From La Paz (Bolivia). Tours to the salt flat also depart from the Bolivian capital, lasting 2 to 3 days.

All three options, both in regular and private service, can be booked through nomades.com, with tour operators that guarantee quality and safety.

Do all tours return to the starting city? If I'm leaving from San Pedro can I ask to be dropped off in Bolivia or vice versa?

Yes. You can request to skip the return journey to continue your trip in the neighboring country. If you wish to do so, the tour duration will be only 3 days, because you save the return day.

Is it mandatory to book a tour? Can I go on my own?

It's not mandatory but highly recommended. Keep in mind that there are barely any signs on the road and the Salar is the perfect place to get lost since there are hardly any visual landmarks and it covers 10,500 square kilometers. The risks of getting stranded during the rainy season if you don't know the terrain are also very high. In any case, you'll need a 4x4 vehicle.

How likely is it to suffer from altitude sickness in the Salar de Uyuni?

You should keep in mind that you'll exceed 3,600 meters in altitude, so it's possible you'll feel the effects of altitude sickness. Among the basic recommendations, it's advisable to acclimatize before taking the tour, that is, spend a few days in a place of considerable altitude to give your body time to adjust to the decrease in oxygen in the air. Click here to learn more about how to combat altitude sickness.

What's the best time to visit the Salar? What's the weather like?

It's difficult to answer that question, so we'll leave it at "it depends." Between May and November (cold seasons) rainfall is scarce or nonexistent. The Salar then offers an appearance similar to a white sea, where perspective is lost and offers many opportunities to take fun photographs playing with the optical effects that occur. During this season, on average, maximum temperatures are 18 °C and minimum temperatures are 17 °C.

Between January and February (warm seasons) is the rainy season in the area. But that's not necessarily bad. You've probably seen photographs of the Salar turned into a giant mirror. This phenomenon only occurs during this season. If you're interested in seeing it, we recommend going in mid-January or late February, as you'll be able to see the reflections with a lower risk of rain. During this season, on average, maximum temperatures are 16 °C and minimum temperatures are -3 °C.

What happens in case of rain?

When it rains heavily, access to the salt flat can be hindered by water accumulation, and access to Incahuasi Island or Isla del Pescado (located in the middle of the salt flat) may be closed. If this happens, the visit to this island is canceled, and entry to the salt flat is only allowed up to a safe distance for passengers and the vehicle.

Do you need a tourist visa to enter Bolivia?

It depends on the passenger's nationality. Visitors from Group I countries (most of Western Europe, the Americas, and some Asian countries) do not require a tourism visa to enter Bolivia. Passengers from Group II do require a visa, which they can pay directly at the border for US$ 100. Finally, passengers from Group III also require a visa, with a price of US$ 160 for them. Along with the visa payment, these passengers must also present 2 passport-sized photos at the border. It's worth noting that visa payment is made exclusively in cash, with US dollars in good condition.

You can find out which countries belong to each group in our article Requirements to enter Bolivia: what you need to know.

Do you need vaccinations?

To visit Salar de Uyuni or San Pedro de Atacama vaccination is not necessary. If after visiting Uyuni you plan to head to the Amazon rainforest, you should get vaccinated against yellow fever.

How much does the entrance cost?

No tour operator includes the entrance fee, which must be paid separately. These attractions (with the exception of Isla Incahuasi) are only accessible on 3 or 4-day tours. One dollar equals approximately 11.4 bolivianos (Bs). Below we detail the entrance costs for the 2026-2027 season:

• Entrance to Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa (Bs150 pp).
• Entrance to Termas de Polques (Bs30 pp).
• Entrance to Isla Incahuasi (Bs30 pp). Only if you wish to visit.
• Access to bathrooms along the route (approx. Bs6 per use). Bathroom use at accommodations is free.

Where can you stay?

There are various accommodation options with different levels of comfort. Generally, they are basic and do not include sheets, so you need to bring a thick sleeping bag to stay comfortable during the cold nights of the Bolivian highlands. Some accommodations are refuge-style where you share a room with other travelers, so it's important to be clear about this from the start. Some higher-end tours, like the one offered by Nomades, spend a night at the charming Hotel de Sal Tambo Loma, built with salt blocks extracted from the salt flat.

What is there to see?

Among the many attractions of the full tour (3-4 days) we highlight 7 wonders between San Pedro and Uyuni:

• Salar de Uyuni.
• Isla Incahuasi.
• Cementerio de Trenes.
• Desierto Siloli and Árbol de Piedra.
• Laguna Colorada.
• Termas de Polques (suitable for bathing).
• Géiseres del Sol de Mañana.

What should I bring on the Salar tour?

• Comfortable and warm clothing.
• Comfortable footwear (ideally trekking shoes).
• Swimsuit and towel (for Termas de Polques).
• Sunglasses.
• Sunscreen.
• Sleeping bag.
• Water (1 liter per person, per day).
• Passport.

For more information and to see a detailed example of a tour click here. If you'd like to read the firsthand experience of a traveler on the Salar de Uyuni tour, click here. Finally, I invite you to watch the video we made with nomades.com about our Salar de Uyuni tour, in early March:

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