Cidade Turismo
Bolivia

Before you go

Your trip to Uyuni.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Uyuni – Potosí about 205 km from Potosí

How to get there

  • Aeropuerto Joya Andina (UYU) Uyuni · 2 km
  • Estación de Uyuni 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before booking. Aeropuerto Joya Andina is 2 km from the center, with flights from La Paz. Buses from La Paz, Potosí and Sucre arrive in the center, near Avenida Arce; from Potosí it's about 4 hours. The train from Oruro arrives at the station on Avenida Ferroviaria; check schedules.

How many days

Two days: the first to arrive, acclimatize to the altitude and see the Train Cemetery; the second for the one-day salar tour. With three or four days you can do the southern lagoons itinerary.

When to go

In the rainy season, usually January to March, the water mirror tends to appear on the salar. From April to December the salar is usually dry and white. From June to August nights are very cold, well below zero. The sun and wind are strong year-round.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No, and it is not recommended to drive alone over the salt. Salar tours are done with a local agency, in 4x4 vehicles with a driver. The town is explored on foot, and the Train Cemetery is 3 km away, by taxi or as part of the tour.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Uyuni
  1. Morning
    Train Cemetery and Colchani

    Go out with the agency to the Train Cemetery and then to Colchani, the salt village.

  2. Afternoon
    Salar and Isla Incahuasi

    Enter the salar via the water pools and the salt hexagons, take the perspective photos and have lunch near Isla Incahuasi before climbing the cactus trail.

  3. Late afternoon
    Sunset on the salar

    Wait for sunset in the middle of the salar, with the white changing color.

  4. Evening
    Return to Uyuni

    Return to Uyuni, already cold. Have dinner at Plaza Arce.

2 days in Uyuni

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Arrival

    Arrival in Uyuni and a light morning because of the altitude.

  2. Afternoon
    Town

    Walk along Avenida Arce and the plaza, with the clock tower, and choose the agency for the next day.

  3. Late afternoon
    Cemitério de Trens

    Take a taxi to the Cemitério de Trens, 3 km away, with the low light on the locomotives.

  4. Evening
    Dinner

    Dinner in town and rest.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Colchani

    Departure with the tour agency to Colchani and the piles of salt.

  2. Afternoon
    Salar and Incahuasi

    Perspective photos on the salar and the trail of Isla Incahuasi.

  3. Late afternoon
    Sunset

    Sunset on the salar.

  4. Evening
    Return

    Return to Uyuni or departure on the night bus.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to choose the agency in Uyuni?

Compare the itineraries, group size, condition of the vehicles and what’s included, such as meals and entrance fees. Talk to other travelers and read recent reviews.

What to take for the salar trip?

Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, layered clothing, a warm hat, gloves and water. In the rainy season, agencies often lend rubber boots.

Does Uyuni have an ATM?

Yes, in the center, but it’s good to arrive with some cash: entrance fees and purchases in the villages along the way are usually paid in cash.

What is the distance between Uyuni and Potosí?

About 205 km on paved road, 4 to 5 hours by bus.

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