The World’s Largest Mirror: The Uyuni Salt Flats

February 06, 2022 | by: Nadia Vizcarra

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime and take a bumpy ride into Uyuni Salt Flats and see one of the world’s most breathtaking natural beauties in South America. Over 30,000 years ago a deep lake named Lago Michín existed, today, this lake no longer exists. Rather the impressive Salar de Uyuni or Uyuni Salt Flats has taken its place.

Stretching over 4,000 square miles (about the area of Connecticut), Uyuni Salt Flats are the world’s largest salt flat and a biodiverse hotspot in Latin America. Home to flamingos, geysers, hot springs, volcanos, a cacti island, lagoons, and miles of the most essential seasoning, salt, this is a bucket list destination!

Where Are Uyuni Salt Flats?

Sitting over 11,995 feet (about twice the elevation of Denver, Colorado), Bolivia’s largest tourist attraction is situated in the southwest of Bolivia and share a border with Argentina and Chile. In Bolivia’s Altiplano, this natural beauty can be found outside of the rural ghost town of Uyuni.

How To Get to Uyuni Salt Flats

– A fast flight from La Paz or Cochabamba

The most popular choice among tourists that venture here is to fly directly to the city of Uyuni. Both flights from La Paz or Cochabamba are quick and easy methods of transportation. After only 50 minutes in the air, you will be a short 10-minute drive away from being transported to a different planet covered in miles of salt.

– Drive from San Pedro De Atacama

Route two is not quite as fast of a trip, but it is an incredibly fun trip with astounding scenery from two countries. This 3-to-4-day trip involves a transfer at the border of Chile and Bolivia. While the drive from Chile is not a short trip, it is a terrific way to see two natural beauties in one South American adventure!

– Drive across the border from Argentina

If you want to take your trip from Salta, Argentina there are a few steps. With three different stops on the way, the drive from Argentina is a long journey for those that love road tripping. If your curated journey does not allow for extra time and back roads, this is not the way for you.

Where To Stay

While there are limited options in the middle, there are great luxurious options overlooking the thousands of miles of salt. The following unique hotels we have hand-picked have worked to incorporate the unique land they inhabit through their architecture.

– Hotel Palacio de Sal

From the edge, your luxury travel will start and end gazing out over the breathtaking views. It doesn’t end there; this hotel spears no dime when it comes to incorporating its landscape. From the spa to the architecture, you will be shocked at all the ways our favorite seasoning can be used in just one place!

At Hotel Palacio de Sal you can indulge in the fusion Bolivian and international cuisines along with luxury spa treatments. If that doesn’t tempt you, maybe the salt dome that you will sleep under is more than enough!

– Hotel De Sal Luna Salada

Like Hotel Palacio de Sal and right down the street, Hotel de Sal Luna Salada is also immersed in the beauty of salt from its furniture to the walls. With panoramic views at each corner of the hotel, you can wake up on the edge of crackling salt and enjoy traditional Andean cuisine before your relaxing spa treatment.

If you’re not one for a jacuzzi or spa treatment, the hotel has bike rentals and stargazing tours. Come enjoy a glass of wine from Hotel de Sal Luna Salada’s extensive winery with selections from all over the world.

Best Time to Visit

Any time of the year is an enjoyable time to visit, but it comes down to what you prefer. Do you prefer to see the world’s largest mirror, or a mirage created by thousands of miles of crystalized salt? Once you answer this question, you can decide when to plan your curated trip.

To see the world’s largest mirror, you should plan your visit between December and April. If not, the dry season between May and October offers a spectacular vista of crystalized salt for miles. However, if you want to enjoy the best climate, June through September are the best months for your Bolivian vacation.

What To Know Before You Go

Sitting at a high altitude some like to take a break before their big adventure, while it is not mandatory, it is not a terrible idea. To do so, you can spend the night in town before your big adventure or start your adventure at a hotel overlooking Bolivia’s natural beauty.

With the perspective defying landscape, a popular activity on tours is taking photos or videos. From fighting a dinosaur to dancing out of a bottle, the ideas are endless. If you have something you really want to use in your photos or videos, don’t forget to pack them! But not too heavy, you will need space for warm clothing and sunglasses to see this amazing destination for yourself!

How To Enjoy Uyuni Salt Flats with Kuoda

Whether it be a part of your South American family trip or your private luxury South American journey, this is a trip that cannot be missed! The best way to enjoy your Bolivian adventure is by taking a private 2-to-3-day 4×4 tour across the Uyuni Salt Flats. The activity options are endless: bike rides, hot springs, volcanoes, the cacti island, different colored lagoons, star gazing, and more!

As travel experts, Kuoda’s private 4×4 tour will be curated to your desire and fitness level. No matter what you choose, every turn you make here will leave your jaw dropped, so pack your bags and get ready to step into what seems to be a painting!

At Kuoda, we strive to take part in sustainable and honest tourism while still supporting a high-end travel experience. Contact us today to discuss the diverse ways you can take part in regenerative travel to Uyuni Salt Flats!