Uyuni | Bolivia

Uyuni serves as the primary gateway to the world’s largest salt flats and a strategic transportation hub in southwestern Bolivia. Situated at an elevation of 3,656m on the high-altitude Altiplano, the town’s economy is almost entirely driven by salt and lithium extraction and international tourism.

Historical Timeline

Founded in 1890 as a trading post, Uyuni’s governance and development were inextricably linked to the arrival of the railway. British engineers established the town as a major junction connecting the silver mines of Potosí with Pacific Ocean ports in Chile. The most significant historical shift occurred in the mid-20th century when the mining industry’s collapse left dozens of steam locomotives abandoned, creating the town’s most famous landmark. In the 21st century, the discovery of the world's largest lithium reserves beneath the salt flats has transformed the region into a site of global strategic interest.

Demographics & Population

The estimated 2026 population is 31,500. The demographic profile is predominantly indigenous Quechua and Aymara. The median age is approximately 25 years. The city receives roughly 60,000 to 100,000 visitors annually, meaning the transient tourist population frequently strains local resources during peak months (December–February).

Urban Layout & Key Districts

The town is small, dusty, and organized on a grid, designed for utility rather than aesthetics.

Plaza Arce: The central square and primary commercial zone, packed with tour agencies, cafes, and hotels.

Avenida Potosí: The main thoroughfare containing the municipal market and most retail shops.

Colchani: A small village 20 km north that serves as the functional entry point to the salt flats and the center of salt processing.

Top Landmarks & Attractions

Salar de Uyuni: The world’s largest salt flat (10,582 km²), famous for its "mirror effect" during the wet season.

Train Cemetery (Cementerio de Trenes): Located 3 km south of the town; a collection of rusted 19th-century locomotives.

Isla Incahuasi: A hilly outpost in the middle of the salt flats covered in giant cacti, some over 10 meters tall.

Laguna Colorada: A shallow salt lake noted for its deep red color and large flocks of Andean flamingos (located further into the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve).

Sol de Mañana: A geothermal field with boiling mud pots and pressurized steam vents.

Transportation Network

Uyuni is a major land and air junction.

Air: Joya Andina Airport (UYU) handles daily flights from La Paz (approx. 1 hour).

Rail: Historically significant, it remains a point of departure for trains to Villazón (Argentine border) and Oruro.

Road: National Route 5 connects it to Potosí (3.5 hours) and La Paz (8–10 hours).

Tours: Nearly all visitors move via 4x4 Land Cruisers operated by local agencies. Within the town, walking is the primary mode of transport.

Safety & "Red Zones"

Uyuni is generally safe for tourists, though high caution is advised due to the risk of civil unrest.

Red Zones: None strictly defined in the town, but the bus terminal area at night is prone to petty theft.

Tour Safety: A major risk involves unlicensed tour operators; vehicle roll-overs and drunk driving incidents occur. Use only reputable, highly-rated agencies.

Environmental Risk: The extreme cold and high-altitude UV radiation are the most consistent safety hazards.

Digital & Financial Infrastructure

Average internet speed is 20-40 Mbps, though it is often slower or non-existent once inside the salt flats. Main mobile carriers are Entel and Tigo. While large hotels and agencies accept cards, the town and surrounding villages are heavily cash-reliant. ATMs are available in Plaza Arce but frequently run out of cash during long holiday weekends.

Climate & Health

The climate is desertic and cold. Temperatures range from 10°C to 22°C in summer (December–March) and can drop to -15°C at night in winter (June–August). Altitude Sickness is a constant risk. The "Mirror Effect" (flooding) occurs during the rainy season (January–March), while the dry season (May–October) offers the famous "hexagonal" salt patterns.

Culture & Social Norms

Pace: The town follows a "tourist clock," with early morning departures (04:00–08:00) and evening returns.

Dress: Professional-grade cold-weather gear is mandatory even in summer.

Sustainability: There is a strong local push toward protecting lithium sovereignty and maintaining salt-harvesting cooperatives.

Accommodation Zones

Town Center: Best for budget hostels and proximity to agencies and transport.

Salt Flat Edge (Colchani): Best for luxury "Salt Hotels" (e.g., Palacio de Sal), which are built almost entirely of salt blocks.

Local Cost Index

1-Day Tour (Shared): 280–400 BOB ($40–$60 USD)

3-Day Tour (Shared): 1,200–1,500 BOB ($175–$220 USD)

1 Night in a Salt Hotel: 700–1,400 BOB ($100–$200 USD)

Nearby Day Trips

Pulacayo: 20 km (A historic mining town featuring the first steam locomotive in Bolivia).

Tunupa Volcano: 80 km (Offering trekking and mummies found in nearby caves).

San Pedro de Atacama (Chile): Often the end-point of 3-day tours (approx. 500 km away).

Facts & Legends

The Salar is so flat and large that it is used by NASA and other space agencies to calibrate satellite altimeters. A local Aymara legend says the Salar was formed by the tears of the Tunupa volcano (a mother figure) after she was abandoned by her husband, the Kusku volcano, while nursing their child; her tears and breast milk mixed to create the white expanse.