Salar de Uyuni Road
Bolivia, south-america
180 km
3,656 m
hard
May-November (dry season for driving), February-March (wet season for mirror effect)
The road across Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni is unlike any other driving experience on Earth. The Salar is the world's largest salt flat, covering 10,582 square kilometers at an elevation of 3,656 meters in the Altiplano of southwestern Bolivia. During the dry season (May-November), vehicles drive directly across the vast white expanse of hexagonally cracked salt crust that extends to the horizon in every direction, creating a surreal sense of infinite space.
During the wet season (December-April), a thin layer of water transforms the flat into the world's largest natural mirror, perfectly reflecting the sky and clouds in a scene that blurs the boundary between earth and atmosphere. The route from the town of Uyuni typically crosses the salt flat to Isla Incahuasi (Fish Island), a rocky outcrop covered in giant cacti that rises from the white plain like a mirage. The journey often continues to the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, passing through a landscape of colored lagoons, geysers, and volcanic hot springs.
Where is it?
Salar de Uyuni Road is located in Potosi, Bolivia (south-america). Coordinates: -20.1338, -67.4891
Driving Tips
Hire a local guide or join a tour, as there are no roads or markers on the salt flat and GPS is essential. A 4WD vehicle is mandatory. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen as the reflected UV is intense. Altitude sickness is a concern at 3,650m. Do not attempt to cross during heavy rain as vehicles can become stuck. The mirror effect is best in February-March.
Road Surface
Hard salt crust (dry season), flooded salt flat (wet season), no marked road
Road Details
- Country
- Bolivia
- Continent
- south-america
- Region
- Potosi
- Length
- 180 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,656 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Surface
- Hard salt crust (dry season), flooded salt flat (wet season), no marked road
- Best Season
- May-November (dry season for driving), February-March (wet season for mirror effect)
- Coordinates
- -20.1338, -67.4891
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