Some places in the world reserve the magic of leaving gaping visitors to a single scenario. With a vastness that seems to have no end and a very white soil formed by the accumulation of salt that hurts the eyes, the UYUNI SALAR In Bolivia, it is one of those attractions that make anyone snatch with the grandeur of nature.
Largest salt desert in the world, Salar has almost 12,000 square kilometers and is 3,600 meters altitude. Here, the HEARING MEETING WITH EARTH It is more than a figure of language, especially in the wet season, between the end of December and mid -April, when the rain forms water mirrors that create optical illusions.
Size splendor is contemplated with a range of activities that make everything more fun. In the heart of Salar there are sculptures of salt, maze, possibility of riding a bike and gastronomic experiences ranging from typical lunches in “in the middle of nowhere” to sparkling gifts with the color explosion in the sunset. Also enter this combo a accommodation on the edge of the salar built entirely of… salt.
The good news is that this box of surprises called Bolivia is neighboring Brazil, with Flights from São Paulo With connections to La Paz. With more than four thousand meters, the Bolivian capital is stopped ideal to get used to the altitude before leaving for Uyuni.
The Uyuni Salar
In short, the desert was actually flooded by the sea hundreds of millions of years, when the world was one with the pangeia. The fragmentation of the supercontinent led to the formation of mountain ranges, such as the majestic Andes.
At the scene of the Salar, there was a prehistoric lake that, over millions of years, has been evaporating. Thus, the minerals and salts deposited over time and left the current crust.
Today, Salar is the most visited attraction of Bolivia . One of 25 places was elected to visit in 2025 by CNN and stood out among the most amazing destinations on the New York Times list last year. Even with fame, the place is not overcrowded, a fact that extends even in the high season.
The base for the discoveries around this geological wonder is the city of Uyuni, in the Potosí Department, about an hour of flight from La Paz. Here is Joya Andina Airport, gateway to most tourists who want to break out Southern .
With about 40 thousand inhabitants, the locality is extremely simple, with several dirt streets in the surroundings. Upon arrival, the impression is that the trip has a more roots.
Much of the population depends on the Salar for survival, as can be seen in the small village of Cabrani. The Paradinha, which is usually on the scripts of the agencies before the first trip to Salar, allows tourists to buy souvenirs and see the processing of salt, which is quite handmade and serves for local supply.
As the Salar is a desert, the Admission is free but the tours should be done inwardly with guides and in special cars like 4 × 4 and vans. It also makes all the difference a driver who knows the ground like the palm of his hand, with invisible “streets” that only they know how to sail. To this end, the services of HIDALGO TOURS one of the most renowned tour operators in the country and helped to kick the tourist in Uyuni.
Experiences at Salar
In addition to the rapture of the vastness of the desert, a series of attractions have come to make it more touristy. In the middle of the salar there is a salt sculpture park like a pyramid, a condor and a llama. One maze With salt walls is in the middle of the attraction, which has an entry rate – which may be included on the ride.
There is also the monument of flags, with countries from all corners of the world; the sculpture “stairs to the sky”, which simulates steps to infinity; and even bike rides offered by the agencies. In the end, everything becomes a great playground for photos, with guides that make a real photo shoot using toys and different techniques. Once here, it’s fun to play.
To this end, it is essential to be armed with cut-off jackets, sunglasses, sunscreen and a bottle of water. At the rainy season, The best time to visit Salar it is necessary to put on rubber boots due to the thin layer of water that accumulates on the floor. Boots are regularly provided by the agencies themselves.
The Salar also exudes natural phenomena, such as the Cactus Island far away from popular attractions and formed by native cacti species, some with hundreds of years. They create a landscape that contrasts with the white desert.
Finally, the “Water Ojos Also attract curious. Basically, water infiltrates the Salar and releases mineral bubbles through small puddles. It is common for people who believe in “healing” properties to wet there.
Special Experiences
However, the dynamics of visiting Uyuni’s Salar can gain more personalized and sometimes luxurious contours. Enter the scene tailored packages designed according to wills, number of people and the period of the day.
Instead of just offering 4 × 4 vehicles, Hidalgo, for example, is the first tour operator to offer a “VIP PACKAGE ”Made aboard a van with leather seats that even massage passengers. Alcoholic beverages are served at ease and, for more convenience, the vehicle has a bathroom. In all, the car holds a group of six.
A desert’s first visit to an extra layer: Before arriving at the salt crust, the guide puts a sale on the visitor so that he is surprised to open his eyes in this place of such immensity.
In these first moments, the tip is to walk in the middle of the desert to come across silence and landscape . Don’t worry: after a few minutes, without losing sight, the driver and the guide go to meet you.
Also noteworthy are activities that offer meals, such as lunches on tents and food in the dusk. The service of Lunch has typical options such as llama beef, quinoa and sweet potatoes, accompanied by wines and sodas. In addition to the team’s effort, the meal is more memorable because of the show’s show.
Another activity disputed is the sunset . Packed by the soundtrack of your choice, the show is due to the colors that the sky is taking. Meanwhile, sparkling and empanadas make everything tastier.
Finally, in the quiet of the night, it is possible to leave the hunting of stars and constellations where the desert is even more mysterious and offers nothing more than a sepulchral silence. Depending on the guide, the moment becomes another photo shoot, where the long exposure tool for mobile phones yields great clicks. In the end, the toast is made with hot chocolate mugs.
The Salt Palace
To enhance the journey, the Hotel Palacio de Sal It appears as a curious but no less cozy hosting. Situated on the edge of the Salar, the Hotel de 42 accommodation It is crowded among foreigners and, in addition to ensuring the well -deserved rest after an intense day, the visitor captivates for the setting.
The construction takes about 1 million salt blocks all extracted from the desert. Floor, walls and even the bases of the beds are made from the mineral – the blocks are waterproofed, braking the moisture, but undergo constant maintenance. Just pull a little piece and prove in the tongue that salt is, in fact, salt.
Currently, typical food restaurant, bar, spa, bonfires and even sprinkles complete the range of amenities. This, however, is not the original formation of the hotel: the concept emerged three decades ago, when the “palace” was in the middle of the Salar. A few years ago, he was transferred to today’s position, about 500 meters from the desert.
It is the only surrounding hotel with character that bumps into luxury, taking into account the local context. In the spa, a pool of freshwater treated has direct views for white and, if you choose a treatment, the most complete is the “chaska” (919 Bolivians, about $ 740).
The experience lasts two hours and goes through the pool and saunas, ending with salt ritual and a massage. The differential is the “salt burial ”, Where the guest is more than half an hour literally with the body buried in layers of the mineral.
After the tours at Salar, the show continues outside the hotel. At night fall, bonfires are lit and help in both cold and in the meeting of friends and families.
It’s like a CAMAROTE FOR DESERT better time accompanied by drinks and salteñas. Gradually, the sky reveals stars and planets, such as Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and even Mars with the naked eye. If luck is in your favor, the desert can give you a comet passage. The most appropriate desire would be to ask for a trip back to Salar.
- When to go to Uyuni’s Salar? The most recommended time is summer, which is also rainy season, with high season between January and March because of the ground reflexes caused by rain and longer days. Winter (May to August) is the dry season, with more cold temperatures and short days, with more incidence of Americans and Europeans;
- How to get to Uyuni’s Salar? From São Paulo there are flights to La Paz with connection in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. De la Paz, there are flights in the morning to Uyuni.
- How to close the tours? You need to close the tours with local agencies. Hidalgo, for example, offers traditional packages of one or more days, as well as personalized experiences that are negotiable.
*The journalist was invited to travel south of Bolivia by Hidalgo Tours
Travel by scenarios from The White Lotus leaves for $ 1 million
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Source: CNN Brasil
Johanna Foster is an expert opinion writer with over 7 years of experience. She has a reputation for delivering insightful and thought-provoking articles on a variety of subjects. Her work can be found on some of the top online news websites, and she is currently lending her voice to the world stock market.
