Have you seen that captivating, reflective photo of Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni? It’s insane! Are you wondering which season to go in so you don’t miss that mirror-like experience? Keep reading to learn about the best time to visit those mesmerizing salt flats in Bolivia!
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If you want to be able to see the salt flats in that enchanting reflective state, you’ll have to go during the wet season! However, there are pros and cons to both seasons.
Salar de Uyuni is Bolivia’s most popular tourist attraction so you want to make sure you go at the right time to have the best possible experience.
Whether the most extensive salt flats in the world have been on your list for a while, or you’re just now finding out about them, I’ve got you covered. Here is the best time to visit the salt flats in Bolivia!
About The Salt Flats in Bolivia
Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt desert spanning over 4,000 sq mi (10,000 sq km). No wonder it attracts tourists from all over the world with many saying it’s the best thing to see in all of South America.
The salt flat was formed over 30,000 years ago when several prehistoric lakes dried up. When the water evaporated, it left behind massive salt deposits. The salt crystallized into interesting hexagonal/geometric shapes.
It’s possible to visit the salt flats on a day trip (overnight bus) but more commonly there are three-day tours. Most tours leave from the capital city, La Paz, and show you the best of Uyuni and the surrounding areas.
While the salt flat is impressive on its own, it’s recommended to take a three-day tour to see nearby geysers, colorful lagoons (some with flamingos), and even stay the night in a salt hotel.
Best Time To Visit Bolivia Salt Flats
Honestly with such an incredible and magical place like Salar de Uyuni, anytime you visit is going to be a great time! It’s such a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s about 80 times bigger than Utah’s Bonneville salt flats just to give you an idea of how massive it truly is.
Ultimately the best time to visit depends on what you want out of the visit. Most people want to experience the salt desert when it’s at its most reflective state causing that mirror-like illusion.
There are two main seasons to consider when planning your trip – the wet and the dry season. The landscape can be drastically different depending on the season you visit.
The Wet Season
The wet season is typically from December to March which is also Bolivia’s warmer (summer) months. During this time, there is so much rainfall that it covers the whole area with a thin layer of rain.
It’s thin enough that you can still walk on the flats without getting too wet. Yet it’s wet enough to give off the illusion of walking on water and the whole area turns into the largest mirror!
For most people, this is the desired time to visit to get that epic reflective photo. However, the weather is going to be hot as it’s summer.
It’s also important to note that because it’s the wet season, some nearby attractions/areas may also be flooded, making it impossible to visit like Isla del Pescado (Fish Island).
The Dry Season
The dry season is from May to November. This is the best time to visit if you want less crowds, cooler weather, and want to see the crystalized salt in hexagonal shapes formed on the ground.
This time of year, the salt flats turn into this massive white desert as far as the eye can see. However, this is the winter season in Uyuni so temperatures can also drop pretty quickly, especially if you’re visiting at night.
This is also the optimal time to visit if you want to make the most of the nearby volcanic attractions.
The Inbetween Seasons
Another essential time to note is the few months between the wet and dry seasons. Visiting during these months can be an excellent chance to have the best of both worlds.
Months like April and November are great shoulder months to visit Salar de Uyuni.
For example, visiting during April is great because there are fewer tourists which means cheaper prices. It’s still warm weather wise and there is still a chance to see areas with residual water to see the mirror effect.
The same goes for months like November. Although November will be much colder than April, there is still a chance for occasional rainfall. With a good tour guide, it’s still possible to find areas with enough water for that epic photo.
Other Places Worth Visiting Nearby
Train Cemetery: This is usually the first stop of any tour. You can explore and climb on dozens of vintage trains.
Salt Hotel: Some tours allow you to stay the night in a salt hotel. I highly recommend this unusual and cold experience! When will you ever have the chance again?
Isla del Pescado (Fish Island): A rocky island covered in cacti in the middle of the salt flats – also a really cool stop that most tours include.
Sol de Mañana (Tomorrow’s Sun): A nearby geothermal area with geysers and boiling mud pools.
Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon): A green lagoon with a picturesque background of mountains and volcanoes.
Laguna Colorado (Colored Lagoon): A shallow red/pink lagoon known for its flamingos.
Some Tour Options to Consider
- From La Paz: Uyuni Salt Flat Tour & Overnight Roundtrip Bus ($190)
- La Paz: Uyuni Salt Flats & San Pedro de Atacama 3-Day Tour ($360)
- From La Paz: 5-Day Uyuni and Red Lagoon Tour with Bus Ride ($364)
I hope this blog post gave you a better idea of when the best time to visit the salt flats in Bolivia is for you – depending on what you’re looking for. Regardless of when you visit Uyuni, it will be a memorable experience to last you a lifetime!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best month to go to Salar de Uyuni?
The best time to visit the salt flats in Bolivia is the months of December through February for the mirror effect. March through May are the months with fewer tourists and cheaper prices but colder weather.
June through August are the cold winter months but the best time to see the white desert hexagonal ground. September through November also means fewer tourists and the possibility of occasional rain.
How many days do you need in Bolivia salt flats?
You only need one day to enjoy Bolivia’s salt flats (Salar de Uyuni). However, three days are recommended to see all the best stuff nearby like colorful lagoons with flamingos, geysers, and even sleeping in a salt hotel.
Are the salt flats in Bolivia worth it?
The salt flats in Bolivia are 100% worth it. It’s such an epic, massive salt desert. I guarantee you won’t see anything else like it in your life. Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni is also about 80 times bigger than Utah’s Bonneville salt flats just to give you a better perspective.
For more Bolivia information, you may also like:
- Why You Need To Try Bolivian Api Con Pastel (Amazing!)
- 25 Surprising, Unique, & Intriguing Things BOLIVIA is Known For
- La Paz’s Hidden Gem: The Colorful Neighborhood of Chualluma
