Weather in Tupiza

Tupiza is a small Bolivian town surrounded by red rock canyons and cactus-studded badlands that look like a film set for a Western — fittingly, it's near where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid are believed to have met their end. It's best known as a quieter, less-crowded starting point for multi-day jeep tours into the Uyuni salt flats and the surrounding altiplano.

Best areas to stay in Tupiza

Tupiza town

The small base town with tour agencies, hotels, and the bus/train terminal.

Quebrada de Palala

A canyon of red rock formations close to town, popular for hiking and horseback riding.

El Sillar

A dramatic landscape of eroded rock formations a short drive from Tupiza.

Uyuni salt flat route (southern circuit)

The multi-day jeep route from Tupiza through the altiplano to the Uyuni salt flats, passing lagoons and geysers.

Getting to Tupiza

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Flights

Fly into La Paz (LPB), then travel by overnight bus or train (around 10-12 hours) to Tupiza, or cross overland from Argentina via Villazón.

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From London

~16-18 hours from London via a US connection plus onward overnight travel.

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Getting around

Jeep tours are the main way to explore the canyons and reach Uyuni; horses can be hired for shorter rides around town.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Tupiza?

May to October is the dry season, generally better for jeep tours and exploring the canyons.

How do I get to Tupiza?

Tupiza is reached by overnight bus or train from Uyuni, La Paz, or the Argentine border at Villazón.

Why start a Uyuni tour from Tupiza instead of Uyuni town?

Tupiza tours take a less-travelled southern route through dramatic canyon scenery before reaching the salt flats, with fewer other tour groups along the way.

What is there to do around Tupiza?

Horseback riding and hiking through red rock canyons like Quebrada de Palala and El Sillar, alongside multi-day jeep trips to Uyuni.

Is Tupiza connected to the Butch Cassidy story?

Yes — the nearby village of San Vicente is believed to be where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid died after a shootout in 1908.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Started our Uyuni tour from Tupiza and the canyon scenery on the way was as good as the salt flats themselves, with hardly any other jeeps around.

Ines C. · July 2023

★★★★☆

Went horseback riding through the red rock canyons near town, felt like riding through an old Western film. Tupiza itself is small but relaxed.

Gabriel T. · August 2024

★★★★★

Less touristy than starting from Uyuni town, and the multi-day jeep trip across the altiplano was unforgettable, lagoons, geysers, flamingos, all of it.

Priscilla M. · June 2024