Let me guess – you’re planning to visit Salar de Uyuni but you want to be prepared… You’ve done your research: read the blogs, compared the tour companies, checked the weather maybe even booked flights to Bolivia or South America? Honestly, sounds like you’ve got it all sorted out. Really! That’s a lot more than what I did, which was to rock up to Atacama and figure it out.

In true backpacker fashion, I crammed in as much research as humanly possible about Uyuni… I may leave my research until the eleventh hour, but it’s never anything less than thorough. So many questions remained unanswered, details were unclear and in some cases, the information simply felt lacking.

I suppose that’s exactly why I run a travel website – to leave no stone unturned and fill in those gaps, so you have everything you need to plan one of the best trips of your life. Woo woo! So let’s do just that and set your mind at ease before your adventure to the world’s largest salt flats.

There’s so much dust everywhere

I overlanded around Southern Africa so you would think I expected this. Yes and no. As you’ll be travelling off road in a old Toyota 4WD, there will be times that dust gets into the car. Doesn’t matter if the windows are up, there will be a crevice dust will come up from. It’s not horrible but it is why I will always travel with a buff so I can cover my nose/mouth.

While it can be cold, it gets very warm in the car.

On a typical tour, there are 6 people plus the driver all squished into a 4WD. You will be getting cosy. The driver/guide does their best to regulate the temperature of the vehicle but sometimes, it can’t be helped. You can’t turn on the aircon because the air filters are blocked up with dust so you’re just getting more dust in the car… if you’re sat by the window, it’s a lot more comfortable but you should not hog the window seat – everyone deserves a day by the window!

The altitude hits faster than you’d expect

I’m no stranger to altitude but it still kicks my bum every time… You might get headaches, fatigue, shortness or breath but just remember to try acclimatize if possible. There’s no point being a hero, thinking you’re invincible and suffering from altitude sickness.

Layers are your best friend

Let’s preface this, we did this tour in January (summer in the Southern Hemisphere). It is cold in the early mornings. This boils down to how you handle the cold. A sweater and jacket = I was good. Some others needed thicker layers. But you don’t want to bring one big layer because it gets warmer during the day under the sun. I wore my alpaca sweater, which I purchased in Chile. Trust the locals because it regulates heat well, in my opinion.

Accommodation is basic

I was reading a few of the reviews online and people were really digging in about some of the accommodation options they had! Now, I cannot speak to their experience or their expectations. But… considering how remote you are, the accommodation is surprisingly okay?! I can honestly say I’ve stayed in worse places for a lot more.

So – it’s manage your expectations. They feel more like a homestay or more “local”. The toilet is basic, there isn’t necessarily a shower curtain so water will go everywhere. Hot showers are not a guarantee, especially if you aren’t one of the first to jump in. Infrastructure is limited.

Starlink – non-existent. In fact, you might have to pay for painfully slow wifi. Honestly, just assume you’ll be offline for a couple of days. If you need to, download any important documentation, entertainment and offline maps. Let your family know in advance and embrace the digital detox.

Lower your comfort expectations… raise your adventure expectations. 😉

The drives are long… and bumpy. Bolivian massage 😉

I am absolutely no stranger to long drives. Actually, I quite like them because I sleep in the car. Just expect long and bumpy drives. Afterall, you are off-roading. You can easily spend 7+ hours in the car throughout the day. Whilst distances aren’t long, it does take time to get to places.

If you’re prone to motion sickness, bring some tablets to help you manage or some ginger pills. The best way to think about this is you’re on a road trip through the Bolivian outback, it’s not a quick “short” drive and you’re there.

Don’t be surprised that you’ll see a lot of tourists

Unfortunately this isn’t an “off the beaten path” trip you’re hoping for. As I mentioned in my Salar de Uyuni Guide, all the tour agencies generally offer the same route. So expect to see other tourists around and about. You might be lucky and be the only car there… in some places there are dozens of other cars! That’s the trouble with must see destinations – everyone wants to see them 😉

Not all tour companies are created equally

Prices vary for a reason. Some of the cheapest tours may cut corners to reduce cost… Think:

• • Vehicle maintenance
  • Accommodation quality
  • Meal portions

All the information you might need is literally at your fingertips. If you’ve found a tour company you are considering, quickly research recent reviews carefully before booking. If you have any questions: ask them.

I was extremely happy with my tour company Sajama Expeditions. I had a very pleasant experience with our driver/guide Fernando. But I know of others (and read experiences online) that other people weren’t so lucky with their tour companies. Someone I knew had a drunk driver even though they paid significantly less.

Safety in remote desert environments is not where you want to compromise.

Surely the tours are in English?

So. This is an interesting topic. Some tour agencies will sell a tour with “basic English guide”. Here is the truth about majority of the agencies.

The tours are not in English. The driver most probably won’t speak English. Most will speak Spanish. Some drivers won’t even be a guide – they will just drive.

Please, keep this in mind. As mentioned previously, only Bolivian companies can operate on the Salar. Unfortunately, most Bolivian drivers/guides don’t speak English. For some drivers, you might luck out and have someone like Fernando – who gave us so much information and explanations about local life, the history, basic facts, answered our questions very happily… some other agencies, their drivers just drove.

Mirror season is beautiful but unpredictable

Since my husband hadn’t seen the mirror effect before (and I had never been), we wanted to see this phenomenon. I mean, we even travelled in January… mirror season is supposed to be between December and March… during the altiplano winter when the rain creates the iconic mirror effect.

But… we had too little water so there was no reflection. When we found water, it was too windy to see any reflections. It was mainly very dry so we mainly saw the hexagonal patterns instead. Nonetheless, it’s such a vast landscape.

Also, after speaking with our guide, rainy season only started in March 2025. So climate change doesn’t help make the season predictable. I would say, go with the hope of seeing the mirror effect, not the expectation.

Toilets are… an experience

This one truly depends on where you’ve travelled to before. I’ve unfortunately (or fortunately?) had some shocking toilet experiences and Bolivia doesn’t even make the top 10 list. But if you’ve never visited a developing country before or never had an “inca toilet”, then I can see how this may come as a surprise.

Some stops have a toilet. Paid, of course. They are basic. Sometimes when nature calls, you just gotta go. Bring your own stash of toilet paper, some hand sanitizer and a ziplock bag to dispose of it – do not just throw it into nature!

Uyuni town isn’t much of an attraction

Maybe you’re picturing charming desert town vibes? Mmm. Let’s gently lower your expectations… Uyuni town is functional. It exists because of tourism and salt mining. It’s dusty, a bit chaotic and mostly a launch point. It’s not really a highlight for many. We booked a bus out the same day we ended our tour.

The photos are staged and that’s half the fun

You’ve probably seen the classic dinosaur-chasing-you, Pringles can perspective, tiny human on hand photos. Now, I know you don’t really believe dinosaurs exist or there’s a massive pringles can! But this perspective photoshoot is built into the itinerary. Your driver will likely stop, pull out props and direct you like a film producer. They got this down to a tee!

It feels slightly ridiculous at first. Then suddenly you’re running from a dinosaur while your friend is holding it back and you’re fully committed. What I mean to say here is: Lean into it. It’s touristy. It’s fun. It’s a laugh.

Tip: bring a small prop if you want something unique. Maybe even brainstorm some ideas…

Sunscreen is not optional, neither are sunglasses

You are at high altitude. On white reflective salt. With almost zero shade. The sun is aggressive. Even if it feels cool because of the wind, the UV index will tell you otherwise. Apply the sunscreen, reapply it. Bring that SPF lip balm. My sunglasses lived on my face permanently.

People take snow blindness seriously… and honestly, salt blindness should probably be a thing too. The concept is the same.

Food is “simple”

Bolivian food is “simple”. It relies on staple ingredients – think potatoes, corn, quinoa. Sometimes mixed in with some sort of protein to whip up something hearty and comforting. Bolivian food is more about sustenance, especially while at altitude.

Breakfast is usually bread with a spread. Lunch is a grain/carb staple with some protein and veggies. Dinner is soup and a simple meal.

Regardless, it is still tasty and I personally had no complaints about the food. We even tried french fries in our soup – which was unexpected but still very delicious.

If you have dietary restrictions, communicate clearly in advance. And maybe bring a few snacks you love: protein bars, nuts, chocolate.

You will wake up painfully early

I am no early riser but sunrise over the salt flats was pretty special. You’re playing with the hours of sunlight you have. There’s no point laying in bed, wasting the day. We woke up at 0445hrs on Day 1. I was less thrilled waking up at 0345hrs on Day 3.

Just know that these tours run on early starts to try beat crowds and catch light conditions. Sleep when you can… aka on those long car journeys!

Bonus: Quick Practical Tips Before Your Uyuni Tour

• Bring cash for entrance fees, toilet stops and souvenirs!
• Carry toilet paper and hand sanitiser
• Don’t overpack your day pack. Space in vehicles is limited
• Charge devices whenever electricity is available

Small things make a big difference out there.

After the dust settles…

There’s dust in your hair, early alarms you didn’t consent to, questionable toilets, long bumpy drives and accommodation that keeps you humble. The mirror effect might not show up. And you will absolutely question your life choices at 4am in sub-zero desert air.

But then you’ll step out onto an endless white horizon. You’ll watch the sun rise over what feels like another planet. You’ll stand in complete silence, surrounded by nothing but sky and salt. That’s maybe when you’ll realise just how small and wonderfully insignificant you are. And suddenly, none of the discomfort matters.

Salar de Uyuni isn’t a luxury trip. It’s an experience. It’s wildly beautiful. Go prepared. Manage your expectations. Choose your tour company wisely. And most importantly: lean into the adventure.

Because this is one of those places that stays with you long after the dust has washed out of your clothes.