1. Make Sure to Go on the Right Time of the Year
Uyuni Salt flat has two seasons, wet and dry, and the pictures will come out totally different between those seasons. during the dry season, you will get the dry salt of hexagon and during wet season, you will get the mirror effect (Check out my photos during wet season with the mirror effects here).
Mirror Effect: March – April
Hexagon Effect July – August
If you want good weather, the best time is between September and November. If you want the mirror effect, you have to go between December and April. But please avoid between December and March as it can often get flooded and to get to the salt flats can be very difficult.
Our tour guide told us that the best time to go is end of April as you can see both the wet and the dry salt flats.
2. REMEMBER to Get Your Visa
Most of South America, you do not need any visa (For Americans). But for some reason, you will need one when you get to Bolivia. So the best is to get when you are in the States. But as a lazy bum as I am, I did not know till last minute.
Related: Check out my blog post about All You NEED to Know about Bolivia Here
If you haven’t got the visa, the best way to do it to get at the airport at La Paz. These are the things that you need.
- Fill in the form and print it out: http://portalmre.rree.gob.bo/formvisas/
- Airline Ticket
- Two copies of passport
- Yellow Fever Certificate
- Hotel Stay Evidence
- Your Recent Bank Account Statement
- Really Crisp and New $160
3. All Tours Are Not the Same
I think the Most important thing during traveling is not only to find the best accommodation and flights but also to find a good tour and a tour guide. For me, I chose Red Planet Expedition which was excellent. But after working with my clients I believe Oasis Tour is probably the best. And interestingly I have heard to get Victor as the guide as he is an expert at taking amazing photos.
If you are looking to create an itinerary customized for your needs, please click below What’s App banner or FB message us below right. You can also fill out a questionnaire about what you are looking for in this trip, we can help you assist create the best itinerary for you.
4. Should I do a Full Day Tour or a 2 Night Tour?
I opted in for a two night tour to San Pedro Atacama from Salar de Uyuni. One thing I regretted was that I didn’t have enough time to enjoy the salt flats as it was a tight schedule. So next time if I go I will give some time at Uyuni. Probably two full days at the salt flats.
For the full day tours, you can choose from (Oasis Tour):
- Sunrise + Daylight (10:30 AM – 7:00PM)
- Sunset + Stargaze (4:00 PM – 9PM)
- Stargaze + Sunrise (4:00 AM – 8:00PM)
I think the best way to do it is to do the Sunset + Stargaze and Sunrise + Daylight, but if you don’t have the time, opt in for Sunset + Stargaze as you will get at least 2 hours of daylight as well. If you want more questions about which tour operators to choose, please leave us a comment!
5. Just Because It’s a Desert, Doesn’t Mean It Will be Warm
I only brought a sweater when I went, and it was the summer season. I almost froze to death at night. Even during summer, you should definitely bring a thick jacket. It will safe your life and the trip.
6. It Is Best to Go with Your Friends and Family
If you go to the Salar de Uyuni, 99% of the things you will be doing is taking pictures and pictures and pictures. And when you do as a solo travelers, you will have to do with random strangers in the tour group. I personally thought it would have more meaning to the picture if you did it with your friends and family. I kept on thinking about it, and would love to go back just for that reason.
7. Not every Seat on the Car Is Equal
Especially as a solo traveler, and sitting in the middle was a nightmare. You want to see the salt flats as you go and take some pictures, but it was so hard to do if you sit in the middle. You should always make sure to sit at the front if you are a solo traveler.
8. The Starting Point Doesn’t Always Have to Be Uyuni
90% of the travelers will come from La Paz. But you can also come from San Pedro Atacama. You can do a 2 nights tour to Uyuni de Salar. I really enjoyed the trip to San Pedro Atacama as it was so beautiful. Check out the pictures below!
You can also return to La Paz after the trip. I wrote what you need to know about Bolivia in general here. You will get to know where to stay in La Paz as it is a gigantic city.
9. Don’t You Think High Altitude Sickness Won’t Apply to You
I was thinking I will be fine to go to high altitude as I was young-ish. But I got it all wrong. The whole trip I was like feeling sick until I arrived at San Pedro Atacama. You can watch my vlogs to see how painful it was. Also, please let me know below comment what your experience was. If you want to see my experience with the high altitude sickness, check it out below vlog.
10. You Have to Stay at Hotel Jumari
One thing that you have to know about Uyuni is that it isn’t a very developed city. And it is not easy to find a decent hotel. I mean decent as a hotel with heating and hot water. There are only two that I know that actually has hot water – Hotel Jumari and Hotel Julia. But the problem with hotel Julia is that if you get a higher floor, the hot water won’t work well. So I give my thumbs up to hotel Jumari. There are some vids in the background while I was staying in Jumari.
11. There Is Not Much to Do in Uyuni
Yes, I said it. There is really not much to do in Uyuni execpt a market on Thursday which I don’t think it is good either. Also the food isn’t the best either. So be prepared for doing nothing if you have no other plans.
12. Make Sure to Bring Your Camera Tools
This is a weird thing to say but when I went on a tour with people, one of the guy forgot to bring the charger for the camera. So he couldn’t use his nice camera because the batter was dead. Also, if you are doing the two nights tour, it will be hard to get electricity, so make sure to charge all your gears before you go.
13. Bring Cash
There are few ATM and money exchange places in Uyuni, but you better get it changed before arriving to Uyuni. If you are arriving in Uyuni by plane, you will have to take a taxi (10-20 Bolivian pesos). So it’s better to change it before you arrive as a lot of planes might arrive really early. If you still need exchange place and ATM, it is all on the block of the clock tower.
14. If you want some nightlife, try Extreme Fun Pub
Nightlife almost doesn’t exist in Uyuni but one which is called Extreme Fun Pub. I didn’t even think about going out because of the high altitude sickness, but everybody said they had a blast.
15. Take Nice Pictures!