Uyuni Reflections

13 years in the making Uyuni Salt Flats in the Rainy season.

Alex Burridge – MD Tailor-Made Journeys March 2024

13 Years ago Cinzia and I bought South America Travel Centre.  Not long after I was searching for images of the Uyuni Salt flats – a place I had long wanted to visit – I came across this image.

From that day I had wanted to see the amazing mirror effects of the Uyuni salt flats in the rainy season.

My first trip was in September 2018, so no rain, and the Uyuni salt flats are still amazing at this time of year.

Fast forward 11 years.  We met our guide XXXX  at the remote border town of La Quiaca; a dry dusty frontier town.  I had been wondering if there had been any rain on the Salt Flats and had decided I wouldn’t ask, I didn’t want to somehow jinx it (mad I know).  Not long into our drive to Tupiza town our guide said with a big smile ‘you’re lucky it’s been raining’…   I still didn’t want to ask too much as where we were it was hot and dry and I wondered if the water would still be there in a couple of days time – IT WAS!!!!

Storms over the Uyuni create a shallow covering of water a few centimeters deep

Sunset on the Salar de Uyuni Bolivia

The wet and dry season experience and activities are quite different as when parts of the flats are covered with water (often just a few centimetres deep) there is a 10kmh speed limit; the limit is in place as holes (small) in the crust of the flats cannot be seen when covered in water and accidents could too easily occur. The limit is kind of strange for a place that has been the location of many land speed record attempts (486kmh on a motor bike).  As a result of the speed limit it’s not possible to visit Incahuasi Island or the Coquesa Mummies and Tunupa Volcano; due to the time it would take to get there and back.  That said the experience in the rainy season is amazing, different, the reflections and beauty of the salt flats even greater.

Driving out onto the flats for sunset is a very special occasion and experience

Just like other parts of Bolivia the locals also explore Uyuni.  A biker group from Potosi (according to our guide a very positive group who help the local poor).

Lunch on the flats – just magical

Even when visiting in the ‘rainy season’, which runs for December to April, a little good fortune is required as there’s no guarantee there will be water.

In an ideal world you’d go twice – and yes I’ve been lucky..

We stayed at the very comfortable Palacio del Sal which is situated right on the very edge of the flats.  It’s comfortable, warm, has an awesome pool with views across the flats.

Bolivian wine is better than you might imagine – enjoy.