Salar De Uyuni Tours & Tickets

A conservation fee of 30 BOB per foreign adult visitor is collected at entry checkpoints — have the exact amount in Bolivianos ready as cards are not accepted.

Salar de uyuni is an open natural landscape accessible 24 hours a day, every day of the year. For the best experience, arrive between 05:30 and 08:00 when sunrise light creates mirror reflections on the wet salt surface and midday tour crowds are absent.

The mirror effect occurs during the wet season, roughly December through April, when rainfall leaves a thin film of water on the salt crust. The current dry season (May–November) produces the striking geometric salt-polygon patterns and the clearest conditions for stargazing, but no reflections.

The most common route is an overnight cama bus from La Paz to Uyuni town, taking approximately 8–10 hours. From Uyuni, licensed tour operators transfer you to the salt flat by 4WD, reaching the edge within 20–30 minutes. A one-hour flight from La Paz to Uyuni's Joya Andina Airport is also available.

Uyuni salt flats tours are generally family-friendly for children aged approximately 6 and above. Parents should apply high-SPF sunscreen frequently — UV intensity is extreme on the reflective white surface at altitude — and carry snacks, water, and any altitude medication recommended by a physician.

Bring warm, windproof layers, waterproof footwear, UV-blocking sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen, at least 2 litres of water per person, 30 BOB in cash for the conservation fee, and a sealed case to protect camera equipment from corrosive salt particles.

Photography is freely permitted across the entire salt flat, including the popular perspective illusion shots. Drones may be flown over the open flat subject to Bolivian civil aviation regulations; check current restrictions with your tour operator before flying, particularly near Tunupa Volcano.

No food or drink vendors operate on the flats. Most guided tours include a packed lunch eaten on the salt surface. Carry a minimum of 2 litres of water; the nearest restaurants and market stalls are in Uyuni town (about 25 km away) or at Colchani village on the eastern edge.

The terrain is flat but uneven salt crust and all transport requires a 4WD vehicle over rough ground. Visitors who cannot walk long distances can remain in the vehicle and still view the landscape. Sub-sites such as Isla Incahuasi involve rocky footpaths, and there is no dedicated accessibility infrastructure anywhere on the flats.

Independent travel is possible — you can hire a driver and 4WD in Uyuni town and pay the 30 BOB conservation fee at the Colchani checkpoint yourself. However, guides add significant value given the remoteness, lack of mobile coverage, and complex navigation; booking through a reputable operator is strongly recommended.

Tour cancellation policies vary by operator, but most reputable companies offer a full refund when cancellation is made at least 48 hours before departure. The 30 BOB conservation fee is generally non-refundable once collected at the checkpoint.

Isla Incahuasi (Fish Island), the Train Cemetery (Cementerio de Trenes), Tunupa Volcano with its accessible 4,724 m viewpoint and ancient mummy caves, Colchani village's salt museum, and the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve (including the vivid red Laguna Colorada) are all commonly combined with a multi-day salar de uyuni tour.