Walk the Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia 2025

It's easy to explore the world's largest salt flats during the dry season

Best time: May–October

During the drier months, the vast Bolivian salt flats transform into an open expanse, perfect for walking and biking across the shimmering surface. This unique landscape reveals stunning features, including remote islands that remain inaccessible at other times of the year, offering a rare opportunity to explore their beauty up close.

Location

Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni is one of the most extraordinary landscapes in South America and the largest salt flat on Earth, spanning over 4,050 square miles of the Altiplano. Formed by the evaporation of ancient lakes, this vast expanse offers a surreal and otherworldly view. Situated near the borders of Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina, the journey to Salar de Uyuni varies depending on the starting point. Tours typically depart from Uyuni and Tupiza in Bolivia or San Pedro de Atacama in Chile, offering different routes and experiences.

Best Time to Explore

The dry season is beneficial for true adventurers. Between May and October, the water dries up, so you can rent a 4x4 car, take a guided tour to move across the famous Salina de Uyuni, and find a dry patch for a break or a camp. Salt flats are incredibly beautiful in any season, even without the mirror-like effect that can be observed during the wet season.

Main Visiting Tips

Preparation is vital when planning a trip to Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats. Essential items to pack include warm clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, a camera or smartphone, and extra batteries for the camera. Additionally, one should have a waterproof bag for their electronics due to the presence of water during the wet season. If visiting during rainy days, be well-equipped for muddy terrain.

Guided Tours

Several tour providers offer a range of options for exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Salar de Uyuni. Visitors can choose from luxury tours that include overnight stays at salt hotels or more budget-friendly packages that still provide high-quality experiences. Many tours feature daily guided excursions in both English and Spanish, ensuring accessibility for international travelers. With a variety of operators available, travelers can find an option that suits their preferences and budget while enjoying the stunning beauty of the salt flats.

Train Graveyard

Just outside the town of Uyuni lies the eerie Train Graveyard, or “Cementerio de Trenes,” a rusting collection of locomotives that once fueled Bolivia’s railway boom. In the late 19th century, Uyuni was a key transport hub, but the mining collapse of the 1940s left these British-imported trains abandoned. Over time, salt-laden winds corroded the metal, and scavengers stripped parts, creating the haunting skeletal remains seen today. Now an iconic stop before venturing into the Uyuni Salt Flats, this atmospheric site is a photographer’s dream and a glimpse into Bolivia’s industrial past.