Laguna Colorada Flamingos in Bolivia 2024-2025

The seemingly lifeless blood-red lake, plain rocks, and salt deposits may surprise with rare flamingos and other wildlife

Best time: December–April

Laguna Colorada is also called "the red lake" due to the high content of minerals and algae. However, it is also believed that water is actually the blood of the gods. Laguna Colorada is located in Potosi and belongs to Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve. Spanning 6000 hectares, this shallow salt lake is less than a meter deep, and it is dotted with white borax. Photographers from all across the globe flock to Laguna Colorada to witness this spectacular scarlet lake contrasting with the white snow on the distant mountains and the cloudless blue sky high above. To make the picture even more stunning, add graceful flamingos, dotting the mirror-like surface of the lake.

Flamingo Facts

Three different species of flamingo, the James’s flamingo, Andean flamingo, and Chilean flamingo, gather on the shallow lake to feed on plankton, which is abundant in these scarlet waters. The James's Flamingos, endemic to high Andean plateaus, are very rare, so you'll hardly see them anywhere else. Flamingos are naturally white but get vibrant and pink from the food they eat and from the colorful water in the lagoon. Flamingo legs are resistant to harsh chemicals in the water, and they can stay in the lake for long periods.

Best time to see flamingos

You may see occasional flamingos in the area year-round, however, the best time to observe the birds is during the wet summertime from December through April. Flamingo breeding season starts in early November, so thousands of beautiful birds congregate at the lake.

Uyuni Salt Flats Tours

Laguna Colorada is located a few hours’ drive from the Uyuni Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni), so many multi-day salt flats tours also include Laguna Colorada and the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve. Operators usually offer tours from Uyuni or Tupiza. There are also tours from San Pedro de Atacama in Chile. Prices for two or three-day tours range from $380 to $1100, depending on accommodation. The price covers food and lodging during the trip as well as transportation, typically an AWD vehicle, which is the only way to get to the remote Laguna Colorada.

The lake is set amidst desolate rocks and salt deposits, which do not seem to be particularly habitable. Nevertheless, the area has a surprising amount of fauna, including Andean foxes and cats, pumas, llamas, alpacas, and many more native species.