Salar de Uyuni

Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat, located on the Bolivian Altiplano in the Potosí region. It is an extensive, near-flat expanse of salt crust formed from the drying of prehistoric lakes and is famous for its seasonal mirror effect when shallow water covers its surface.

Visitors typically explore the salt crust plains, visit cactus-covered islands such as Incahuasi and view seasonal reflections and salt formations. The landscape is used for photography, scientific studies and salt extraction in surrounding areas.

The salar formed from the successive drying of ancient lakes over geological time and is a defining landscape of the Altiplano. It is a major natural landmark and tourist destination in southwestern Bolivia.

The salt flat occupies a broad area on the high Bolivian plateau and is accessed from nearby towns such as Uyuni, which serves as the usual tourist gateway.

• Scale and mirror effect: Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat, a vast, flat expanse of salt crust that becomes a giant mirror when covered with a thin layer of water.
• Altitude and features: The salt flat sits at high altitude on the Altiplano and contains unique features such as cactus-covered islands and old mining relics at its margins.

What to See #

• Incahuasi (Cactus) Island: Incahuasi Island is a cactus-covered volcanic outcrop rising from the salt flat that offers panoramic views across the salar.
• Salt crusts and mirror effects: The edges of the salar include salt crust patterns and seasonal shallow pools that create reflective surfaces and are popular photography spots.