Hotels in Uyuni

Uyuni: Gateway to the World's Largest Salt Flat

Uyuni is a small town in southwest Bolivia, sitting at 3,670 metres above sea level on the edge of the Salar de Uyuni — a 10,582 km² salt flat formed from prehistoric lake beds. The town of roughly 20,000 residents serves as the main departure point for multi-day 4WD tours across the salar and into the Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa, where geysers, flamingo lagoons, and the red-tinted Laguna Colorada lie within a day's drive south.

Where to Stay in Uyuni

Most hotels cluster along Avenida Potosí and within three blocks of the central Plaza Arce. Salt hotels — built partly from salar bricks — operate near the flat's edge at Playa Blanca and Luna Salada, roughly 20 km from town. Budget hostels on Calle Ferroviaria cater to backpackers joining shared tour groups. The rainy season (December–March) floods the salar's surface, creating the mirror-reflection effect that draws photographers; dry season (May–October) offers firmer crust and clearer skies.

Practical Tips

• Altitude: At 3,670 m, allow 24–48 hours to acclimatise before multi-day tours.
• Getting there: Overnight buses run from La Paz (approx. 10 hours); a train connects Uyuni to Oruro three times weekly.
• Currency: Carry bolivianos in cash — ATMs in town are limited and frequently out of service.
• Tours: Book 3-day salar circuits at least one day ahead during peak season (June–August).