Eduaro Abaroa National Reserve, Bolivia

Alex Burridge
MD South America Travel Centre March 2026

Whilst Bolivia’s jewel is undoubtedly the Salar de Uyuni Eduaro Abaroa National Reserve has many incredibly beautiful landscapes and some very interesting wildlife too.

Laguna Verde

Eduaro Abaroa National Reserve; vicuna and flamingos

Geysers

EDUARO ABAROA NATIONAL RESERVE 

It’s situated high on the altiplano with latitudes ranging between 4,200 metres and 5,400 metres.  It’s a geothermically active region with geysers and hot springs.    It is also home to three stunningly beautiful lagoons: Verde (Green), Colorada (red) and Blanca (white) which host significant birdlife in particular flamngos (Andean, James’s and Chilean).  Guanacos, Vicunas, llamas, Viscacha and Andean foxes are all seen in the Reserve.

Volcanoes form an even more stunning backdrop to the lagoons, with Licancabur (5,916m), Uturuncu (6,008m) , and Ollagüe (5,868m).  Up until 2019 Licancabur held the world record for the highest altitude scuba dive (now Ojos del Salado 6,395 in Argentina).  Climbs of the volcanoes can be arranged with Explora Atacama.

The reserve is often visited on a journey from the Uyuni Salt Flats across into the Atacama region of Chile.  When travelling from Uyuni to stay in a small, comfortable but rustic, accommodation and slowly gain altitude and hence there are few issues with acclimatisation.  It can also be visited from San Pedro de Atacama in Chile.