Uyuni, Bolivia

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(photo: View from plane - The town of Uyuni, Bolivia sits on the edge of the salt desert)

Uyuni is a town in southwestern part of Bolivia in the altiplano region, near the border of Chile and lies at an elevation of 3670 meter (12,040 feet) above sea level.

The town was founded in 1889 as a railway junction, you can still find evidence of that today where there is a "train cemetery" filled with old, rusting steam locomotives that are neat to explore and take photos.

The town of Uyuni itself has very few attraction for travelers. Today with a population of about 10,500, the town's primary function is as a gateway for tourists visiting the world's largest salt flats; Salar de Uyuni and many other natural wonders of the world in that region.

Around the main plaza in Uyuni there are many tour agencies that compete for the Salar de Uyuni tour. You'll probably have tour agencies ask you if you want to go on the tour as soon as you get there.

When choosing a tour company, you must first decide what you want to see and how long you want to stay. Also, decide if you need the guide to speak English. Tours runs anywhere from $60-$120 per person, depending on how long you want to stay and what you visit. The standard tour is 3 days. But, you can find tours that range from 1 day to 6 day tours. Get FREE Travel Brochures on Uyuni & the Salt Desert!

Attractions - Things to do & See

The town of Uyuni is the jumping off point for visiting the World's largest salt desert and seeing many other natural wonders that seem from another planet ... read more

Getting There & Around

Uyuni travel guide and tips on how to get to and from Uyuni, Bolivia by train, bus or air. Arrival & Departure information and Salar de Uyuni tour tips .... read more

Hotels - Where to Sleep

Since the town of Uyuni is a travel hub for exploring the salt flats of Salar de Uyuni, there is a decent selection in the town. However, most hotels in town tend to be a little worn down and on the simple side. Some places have inadequate heat and ... read more

Restaurants - Places to Eat

In Uyuni you'll find that many of the restaurants in town serve pizza. But, to get a feel for the local culture, try the charque kan ... read more

Map - Map of Uyuni

Find a map of Uyuni here. See a town map of Uyuni to help you guide your way through the town and know where to go, places to eat and sleep ... see the map

Forums - Salar de Uyuni Forum

Ask a question in the Salar de Uyuni Forum and get answers. You can also browse the forum or post travel stories, upload your photos, share your experiences about traveling around Salar de Uyuni. In addition you can recommend tour companies, hotels & restaurants that you think other travelers should try or to avoid. Whatever it is, share it! ... read more