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Weather in Uyuni Salt Flats
Infinite white mirror of sky and salt
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About Uyuni Salt Flats
Uyuni stretches 4,086 square miles of blinding white—the world's largest salt flat, so vast and featureless it creates an optical illusion where sky and earth vanish into one. Flamingos wade in crimson lagoons rimmed by volcanoes, geysers erupt from rocky peaks, and at night the stars multiply so thickly they seem to merge with reflected constellations. It is Earth's most alien landscape.
Best months to visit
October, November
Things to do in Uyuni Salt Flats
3-day Uyuni salt flat expedition: jeep tour, lagoons, geysers
Flamingo lagoon wildlife tour: three species of pink birds
Sunken Dakar monument and desert history tour
Train Graveyard at Uyuni: abandoned locomotives exploration
Laguna Tebida geothermal features and mountain hike
Night stargazing: darkest skies, Milky Way photography
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
January
17C
Cool, with some rainy days.
February
17C
Cool, with some rainy days.
March
18C
Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.
April
16C
Cool, and mostly sunny skies.
May
13C
Cool, and mostly sunny skies.
June
10C
Cool, and mostly sunny skies.
July
11C
Cool, and mostly sunny skies.
August
12C
Cool, and mostly sunny skies.
September
16C
Cool, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
October
17C
Cool, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
November
19C
Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.
December
19C
Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.
The Uyuni Salt Flats form the world's largest salt flat, an otherworldly expanse of blinding white salt stretching to the horizon at over 3,650 metres in the Bolivian Altiplano. During the wet season a thin layer of water transforms the surface into a mirror reflecting the sky, while multi-day tours from the town of Uyuni also take in coloured lagoons, flamingos and surreal rock formations across the high desert.
Best areas to stay in Uyuni Salt Flats
Uyuni town
The small, basic gateway town where most salt flat tours begin and end.
Salar de Uyuni (the salt flat itself)
The vast salt expanse, including the train cemetery and Incahuasi Island during longer tours.
Coloured lagoons route
Multi-day tour territory featuring Laguna Colorada and Laguna Verde, home to flamingos.
Sol de Mañana geysers
A geothermal area of steaming geysers visited on extended Altiplano tours near the Chilean border.
Getting to Uyuni Salt Flats
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Flights
Flights from La Paz to Uyuni take about 1 hour; overnight buses from La Paz, Sucre or Potosí are a cheaper but longer alternative.
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From London
~1 hour by air from La Paz, or 8-10 hours by overnight bus.
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Getting around
Salt flat tours run in 4x4 vehicles with a driver-guide; the town itself is small and walkable.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit the salt flats?
December to April (wet season) creates the famous mirror effect, while May to November (dry season) gives the classic cracked-white salt surface and easier access to other Altiplano sights.
How long are tours of the salt flats?
A day trip covers the main salt flat highlights, while 3-day tours extend into the coloured lagoons and geysers near the Chilean border.
Will altitude be an issue?
Yes — much of the route sits above 3,500-4,500m, so altitude effects are common; acclimatising in La Paz or Sucre beforehand is often recommended.
What should you pack for a salt flat tour?
Warm layers for cold nights, sun protection for intense daytime UV, and snacks, as tours are remote with limited facilities.
How do you get to Uyuni?
Flights connect La Paz to Uyuni (about 1 hour), or overnight buses run from La Paz, Sucre or Potosí.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
The mirror effect during the wet season was beyond anything photos prepared us for — the whole world just became sky.
Elise V. · February 2024
★★★★★
Three days through the coloured lagoons, geysers and salt flat in a 4x4 was tough on the cold mornings but unforgettable.
Andre M. · July 2023
★★★★☆
Basic accommodation along the route, but the scale and strangeness of the landscape made it worth every bumpy hour.
Sasha L. · October 2023
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