The Ultimate Guide to Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia
Visiting Salar de Uyuni, alias Bolivia's Salt Flats, is a top activity when traveling in South America. We've created this Salar de Uyuni travel guide based on our 3-day jeep tour experience. We share everything you need to know, including tips on the best things to do, see, how to choose a tour agency, facts, how many days you need, cost of travel, when to go, what to pack, and accommodation.
There's probably no single traveler planning a trip to Bolivia who does not have on the itinerary the absolute natural highlight of this landlocked country and overall the continent, Salar de Uyuni.
It does not matter if you are on a strict schedule and have only one day for the area or if you are a long-term traveler on a loose itinerary (but usually on a strict budget); Salar de Uyuni is a wonderful place that cannot be missed.
The vast Bolivian Salt Flats, which happen to be the world's largest salt flat, was on our bucket list since we started traveling in South America, and boy, it did not disappoint.
We, who are often on the road for several months, are often hard to be super-excited after seeing another colonial city or another ruin.
Do not take us wrong; we love traveling, but the excitement after some time wears off, and we need a new impulse. And this was exactly the case of Salar de Uyuni.
Those three days we spent on a tour traveling the endless scenery defined by blue and white colors, geysers, passing by five or six thousand meters high volcanoes, enjoying views of differently colored lagoons with flamingos and traversing moon-like, surreal landscapes, took our breath literally away and reignited our wanderlust again.
Without a doubt, we have Salar de Uyuni high on our list of the most beautiful places in South America (and in the world), and we can't recommend you enough to put it in your Bolivia itinerary.
This area is very significant for a country like Bolivia as Salar de Uyuni brings income from three different sources.
The first source is tourism (and we are glad we could contribute to the local economy), the second source is salt harvesting, and the third source is lithium: Bolivia holds almost half of the world's known lithium reserves which is used as a component of electric batteries.
Here's a good chance that some of your electronic devices' battery contains lithium from Salar de Uyuni!
Simply put, this three-day tour on Salar de Uyuni turned out to be one of our best travel experiences, and we would like to share all the knowledge we gained with you to ensure your trip will be as smooth as possible.
After our visit, we've created this Salar de Uyuni guide where we've put all the essentials you should know if you're planning on visiting this vast part of nothingness, a stretch of land close to the Bolivia-Chile border.
As there are many questions to answer, we've tried to touch on every topic we were interested in before our visit.
If there's any information missing, let us know in the comment section below, we want to keep this post updated as possible.
HOW TO GET TO UYUNI
But one thing after another. First, you need to get to the town of Uyuni, which is a traditional base for exploring salt flats. Before we get into it, we also have to mention another alternative, called Tupiza.
Tupiza is a city surrounded by wonderful western movies-like scenery close to borders with Argentina, which yet did not make it to the South America backpacker route.
On the other hand, it is another access point to salt flats, and if you prefer traveling off the beaten path, you can consider Tupiza as a place where to start.
There are a few travel agencies, and it is even possible to book a Salar de Uyuni Tour from Tupiza online. As the distance to cover is slightly longer, expect to spend on the road four days.
Still, we think the majority of travelers will decide to start the trip in Uyuni, which is accessible from other Bolivia's travel destinations by bus, train, or plane.
Being the number one tourist destination has its advantages, and you don't need to worry that you wouldn't have made it to Uyuni.
The most common route is to travel from the largest city of Bolivia, La Paz (from where you can explore the nearby mysterious Lake Titicaca) to Uyuni by overnight bus.
The ride takes ten hours, and the bus usually travels overnight. It is also possible to combine bus and train ride when you first take a bus from La Paz to Oruro and then train to Uyuni, but unless you are an ultimate train fan, we do not see a reason why not to travel directly.
Another popular route is the one connecting Sucre, Bolivia's White City, with Uyuni. The ride takes about nine hours.
We traveled from Tupiza, which is four hours away on a recently upgraded road.
The most time-effective alternative is to travel to Uyuni by plane; there's a direct line from La Paz.
This option is a bit more expensive but makes sense for travelers on strictly planned holidays.
Lastly, you can arrive to Salar de Uyuni from Chile. As we were heading there, we'll talk more about it later in the text.
WHERE TO STAY IN UYUNI BEFORE YOUR TOUR
You will find quite a lot of hotels in Uyuni, all reasonably priced and conveniently located. Uyuni is a small town, and most properties are within walking distance, so choose the one that meets your comfort level and budget.
Our criteria were low price and walking distance to the bus terminal and tour agencies, as we planned on shopping around.
We've selected the best three hotels in Uyuni for every type of traveler.
Budget | Hostal Quinoa Dorada - Close to the city center and market (as almost every hotel in Uyuni), this hostel offers good service and lodging for a very reasonable price.
Mid-range | Piedra Blanca Backpackers Hostel - This hotel offers a wide variety of accommodation options from dormitories to private rooms, and you will surely find a functional kitchen and dining area.
Luxury | Hotel Jardines de Uyuni - Before and after the Salar de Uyuni tour, this hotel provides guests with welcoming comfort.
HOW TO GET AROUND SALAR DE UYUNI
It is easy to get an impression that there is only one way how to explore Salar de Uyuni, with a jeep tour.
Although taking a one-day or multi-day tour is by far the most popular (and the most convenient) option, more adventurous souls can travel salt flats independently, but it requires a bit of planning and, in some cases, better physical conditions.
JEEP TOUR
Traveling around the Salar de Uyuni with a jeep tour is by far the most convenient and safest option.
There are many jeep tours to choose from, and it's up to your preferences and travel itinerary which tour you eventually select.
As we wanted to see as much as possible and planned to cross borders to San Pedro de Atacama, we've opted for a three-day Salar de Uyuni jeep tour departing from Uyuni.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
In case traveling in a group is not your thing, you can explore Salar de Uyuni by public transport - this can be challenging as this type of transportation is scarce, the schedule is infrequent and unreliable, but we can confirm that we saw some buses crossing the flats.
Hence, if patience belongs among your strengths and the call for freedom is so strong, go for it.
Ask for departure times and stops in Uyuni in any agency office; just be prepared that staff will likely want to sell you the tour and can withhold crucial information.
BIKING
Another way how to travel around Salar de Uyuni independently is on the bike. You should be a well-experienced biker to enjoy it, though.
Not only will you be biking several hundred kilometers on an endless plain, but you also must take all your equipment with you, and the strong sun, altitude and annoying wind can make your day incredibly tough.
Not to mention that some parts, especially close to Chilean borders, are hard to bike on, and the altitude is a killer.
If biking Salar de Uyuni has been your dream, we certainly don't want you to put it away, but it is better when you know what to expect and come well prepared than to regret it later.
THINGS TO DO AND SEE ON SALAR DE UYUNI
Many travelers do not realize beforehand what they can see on Salar de Uyuni's three-day tour; the whole trip is not only about the salt flats; there is actually much more to see.
When you go only for a day, it is pretty straightforward, you will be touring the salt flats, but on multi-day trips, you will spend the second and third day mostly among volcanoes, geysers, and lagoons.
Here's a list of the best things to see and do on the Salar de Uyuni tour. Although it is possible to customize the itinerary, most agencies follow a similar schedule, including stops below.
TRAIN CEMETERY
The first stop on our itinerary, only about 5 minutes drive from Uyuni, was the old train cemetery.
Although we thought that this spot would be rather lame, in the end, we were pleasantly surprised because the old and corroded trains in combination with blue skies were photogenic enough to keep us occupied for about half an hour.
The only downside is that all jeeps stop by here at first, and the place gets crowded as it is an essential stop even for day-trippers or independent travelers.
This open-air museum was created unintentionally when local mines were depleted, and the train connection to La Paz and other destinations was no longer needed - this is why trains were left here.
COLCHANI VILLAGE
This village represents what we dislike about organized tours the most: mandatory shopping stops. On the other hand, this stop did not feel pushy at all, and we could at least stretch our legs.
Moreover, our guide explained the salt harvesting process here, which was quite interesting, and then we could carry on to a place we all were eager to see the most. Salt Flats.
DAKAR MONUMENT
Bolivia is a proud host of Rally Dakar, so you can't miss a large Dakar Monument standing at the edge of salt flats. This is a compulsory short photo stop, and we had lunch in a restaurant nearby.
SALT FLATS
We could not imagine the vastness of Bolivia's salt flats until we stood under the harsh sun on Salar de Uyuni ourselves.
The crunchy salt plates under our feet, blue skies, and far away nothing around, it was surely an unforgettable experience.
The ride across the plains was very eye-catching, but it was nothing to the feeling when we left the car and could stand on this fantastic piece of land ourselves.
It is also a place where you can play with perspective and take many funny photos as well.
INCAHUASI ISLAND
Several kilometers away, out from the nothingness rises Incahuasi Island alias Fish Island.
A sacred place for local people, for us a natural wonder from where you can see the flats from a different perspective and also watch tall cacti plants in disbelief. It is definitely worth it to make an effort and climb up.
Another option is to walk around if you do not want to pay a small fee that is not included in the tour, but we think the view from above is much better.
SUNSET ON SALAR DE UYUNI
When the day comes to an end, ask your guide to watch the sunset on the way to the hotel. You won't regret it. Our guide stopped at an absolutely fantastic place, far away from other jeeps, and was even keen to take photos of us.
This is how one of our rare couple photos was created. It gets chilly in the evening, and you will likely be tired after all day exploring, so have warm layers handy.
SALAR DE CHIGUANA
On the second day, the jeeps make their way through another salt flat, a very photogenic place with rail tracks and volcanoes around.
This is a smaller salt flat to the main one, Uyuni, but it is no less spectacular because of the colorful lagoons and rising volcanoes around. Now, we are getting closer to the Bolivia-Chile border.
VOLCANOES
This part of South America has one of the most beautiful landscapes we've ever seen. You can expect to enjoy views of several volcanoes over 5000 meters high throughout the next two days.
Some travel agencies offer an extended trip, and you can climb a volcano, but we did not opt for this alternative.
LAGUNA COLORADA & VERDE
Along the way, you will stop by several colorful lagoons, but two of them stand out in particular. Laguna Colorada with its red color and Laguna Verde with Licancabur Volcano towering behind.
Before our trip, we had in mind only the vastness and photo opportunities on salt flats, but other attractions such as lagoons made this journey even more special.
FLAMINGOS
Thousands of flamingos (and three species) call lagoons and the Altiplano between Bolivia and Chile their home. Bring zoom lenses or binoculars to appreciate those spectacular birds.
GEYSER SOL DE MANANA
Thin air and the strong sulfur smell indicate you just arrived at a geyser with a poetic name, Morning Sun. Steam comes up constantly from vents and with the sun behind create a spectacular show.
FACTS
Like we've said before, Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat and also the world's largest producer of lithium, but those facts are not the only unusual things.
Apart from that, Salar de Uyuni, spreading over 10 000 square kilometers, lies pretty high above sea level, in 3 656 meters to be precise.
If you signed up for three days tour, expect to visit altiplano lagoons on day two, where the elevation is even higher.
Salar de Uyuni's creation is closely tied with many myths, but for those looking for hard facts, the history of salt flats goes back 40 000 years.
Back then, Uyuni was covered by Lake Minchin, which collected water from nearby mountains.
Once the climate changed, this lake was getting smaller, later it was rather a several small lakes, and when the water with high salinity evaporated, only a plain with thick salt crust was left behind.
ALTITUDE
Salar de Uyuni sits at an altitude of 3656 meters above sea level, and this is by far not the highest point of the entire trip. This is why it seemed weird that no one in the tourist office had mentioned the high elevation at all before we made the booking, and we did not get any instructions.
We traveled in South America long term and had visited some high altitude places already such as Nevados National Park in Colombia or Laguna Quilotoa in Ecuador, so we knew what to expect and were aware of the altitude sickness threat, but we believe first-time travelers should be better informed.
Although the tour is not physically demanding, you should still consider that you will spend three days at the high altitude and adjust your habits for a while - do not eat heavy meals, stay hydrated, and do not drink alcohol if possible.
Also, it is better to sleep at least one night in La Paz or Uyuni before starting your trip to acclimatize properly.
No one can ever know how your body will react even if you were at high elevation before, so do not underestimate the acclimatization - severe altitude sickness can easily ruin your holiday.
During the tour, the highest point we visited was a geyser at 5000 meters while the highest accommodation was situated almost 4400 meters above sea level.
It is pretty high for unacclimated people, especially those who have never been to the altitude before and don't know what to expect.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
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HOW MANY DAYS YOU NEED
How many days you spend in Salar de Uyuni depends only on your budget and travel itinerary. The possibilities are endless, from a one-day trip, starting and finishing in Uyuni, a two-day tour, to a customized trip that can last even five or more days.
It is also necessary to define whether you plan on continuing your Bolivia trip or if you plan on crossing borders to Chile, as the majority of agencies offer this alternative as well.
The most common tour lasts three days and two nights and based on our experience, we can recommend you this option.
We felt that three days was the perfect amount of time - there were plenty of things to see and do on our itinerary, so we were glad there was no need to rush or skip places.
We think four days would be too long, given the altitude and consequently repetitive landscape, unless you need the extra day for climbing the volcano.
More budget-focused travelers or people without enough time allocated for Bolivia can choose only two days trip or even one day tour.
In our opinion, it is really worth it to see Salar de Uyuni, even if it was only for a couple of hours, but on the other hand, we think one day is not sufficient, and the experience won't be complete. If it is at least a little bit possible, opt for a longer variant.
In case you want to see Salar de Uyuni quickly and at its best, there is a possibility to join a sunrise or sunset tour and get back to Uyuni in a couple of hours.
HOW MUCH SALAR DE UYUNI TOUR COST
The standard three-day tour price ranges between Bs 850 - Bs 1350 in Uyuni, but if you will book your tour online, expect to pay twice as much.
What we could see, standard tours don't differ no matter which tour company you will choose - the accommodation, food, and cars looked the same, so there is no need to pay more than necessary.
Because there are about 80 tour companies in Uyuni, shop around and bargain to get the best deal. The rule of thumb is not to negotiate too hard; you do not want to unlock bad service.
The cheapest rate in the price range is with a Spanish-speaking guide, while the more expensive tour includes an English-speaking guide.
You can also start your tour in either Tupiza or San Pedro de Atacama in Chile, but expect to pay about one-third or even one-half more than when you start in Uyuni.
The price above is for the standard tour with six people in a jeep following the classic itinerary.
Prices are steeper in case you want to arrange a private or customized tour or in case you require a better car.
HOW LONG IN ADVANCE SHOULD YOU BOOK THE TOUR
As we've mentioned above, the competition among companies in Uyuni is intense, so there is no need to make a reservation ahead, not even during the high season.
It is not uncommon that people arrive by overnight bus from La Paz at 7 AM and at 10 AM start their tour.
Again, it is better to be acclimatized if you want to follow this scenario, but the advantage is that many travel destinations in Bolivia are located relatively high, so it should not be a problem.
We made the booking one day before we wanted to depart, and it was the smoothest process ever.
On the other hand, if you travel on a strict schedule, for peace of mind, we recommend booking a tour in advance, or you can at least shoot an email to a local agency and ask for availability.
WHAT IS AND IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR
After full payment, you should always receive a voucher where is specified what the final price includes. Usually, it is transport, accommodation, food (starting and ending with lunch on the first and the last day).
In case you are not coming back to Uyuni but continue to San Pedro de Atacama, your last meal will be breakfast, water only during the meals (so take approximately two liters per day per person with you), and guide/driver.
In case you carry on to San Pedro de Atacama, you should also pay extra for the bus ticket in the office in Uyuni (Bs 70).
For more information, read our guide on San Pedro de Atacama.
There are several fees you must pay extra while on tour.
The entrance fee to Incahuasi Island costs an additional Bs 30 (it is not compulsory to go there in case you want to save some money, but we think it's worth paying for it), Bs 150 for the entrance to Eduardo Avaroa National Park (you can't avoid this) and Bs 6 in case you want to enjoy hot pools the last day.
In the winter, you might consider renting a sleeping bag for Bs 30 as the temperature during the night drops significantly.
In both accommodations was an option to buy some snacks or drinks so bring some extra cash if you know you can't resist.
Those who cross borders to Chile must pay Bs 15 to get an exit stamp in the passport.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST TRAVEL AGENCY IN UYUNI
If you don't have a volcano climbing in your mind or don't want to spend an extra day discovering the flats, finding a travel agency is a simple task.
All tour operators in Uyuni run almost identical itineraries, provide customers with the same food and similar quality of accommodation.
When you look online, you can, of course, find better and worse reviews of companies' services, but it can happen anywhere and anytime that your car will break down or that you won't be satisfied with your guide. That's always the risk.
In the past years, tours on Salar de Uyuni dealt with many problems and lousy reputation: to name a few, bad quality equipment or drunk drivers were the main problems.
And although exceptions can still happen, we believe that all people in Uyuni working in the tourism industry have already realized that to attract future customers, the quality level must be excellent and consistent.
You can shop around and visit several offices, but it is more efficient to do the research online and then go to two or three offices to check them out, compare and make a reservation straight away.
SALAR DE UYUNI TOURS
If you like to plan your trip carefully in advance or want to go with a reputable travel agency with good reviews, you can search for Salar de Uyuni tours via the links below.
3-Day Salar de Uyuni and Colored Lagoons Tour - This is a great choice for travelers who want to see as much as possible in three days. Travel around salt flats, see beautiful lagoons, flamingos, geysers, and volcanic peaks.
Salar de Uyuni Day Tour - If you are short on time, this is the best choice for you to get the most of the salt flats in one day.
Salt Flats Tour from La Paz - That's true; you can visit Salar de Uyuni from La Paz in one day. Fly from La Paz to Uyuni (45min) and back, and enjoy the aerial views of salt flats and a jeep ride in one day.
WHERE TO START AND FINISH SALAR UYUNI TOUR
Visiting Salar de Uyuni is excellent in many ways; one of the biggest advantages we see is that you do not have to return to the starting point as it is easy to adjust the trip according to your future plans - travel agencies operating in the area are ready for that.
You have three options where to start your Salar de Uyuni experience.
The most common starting point is town Uyuni; an alternative is Tupiza, a place with a few nice hikes among weathered rocks.
We considered this option as well, but the tour from here usually takes four days, and because not that many travelers start here, prices are higher.
By far, the most expensive option is to travel Bolivian salt flats from San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, so it is the least popular option.
On the other hand, it is quite handy if traveling across South America to start your tour in Uyuni and finish in Chile.
It even seems this is the most popular alternative, a possibility we have opted for as well, because it made sense to cross borders, plus everything was arranged on our behalf, which is something we from time to time appreciate.
Crossing borders on the Salar De Uyuni tour saves you time, money, and logistics, as on the last day, the company will drop you off at the borders where the bus will be waiting for you.
We also preferred this way because the last day on tour is usually only about getting back to Uyuni, which is a long drive.
Of course, you can get by jeep back to Uyuni or Tupiza.
WHAT TO PACK
When packing for the Salar de Uyuni adventure, you have several options depending on your itinerary. If you decided to follow our footsteps and carry on from Uyuni to San Pedro de Atacama, your packing list is pretty much given, as you have to take the whole backpack with you.
In that case, we recommend you think carefully about things you plan on using on a daily basis - keep this stuff in a daypack for easy access.
The rest of your staff can be in a rucksack on the jeep's roof. If you plan on returning back to Uyuni, it is possible to leave stuff you do not need in a hotel, which is more convenient.
During three days, you will visit salt flats and altiplano lagoons, and most of the time, you will spend in the high altitude where temperatures often change, especially early in the morning and later in the afternoon when a cold wind picks up.
This is why you must pack adequately for every occasion.
SALAR DE UYUNI PACKING LIST
First of all, you should not forget protection against the sun as there's no shade along the route. Sunscreen with high SPF, sunglasses, bandana or straw hat, and lip balm is a must.
Pack layers. One time you'll be sweating when in a second the wind will pick up, and you will be cold. Prepare to get dirty from the salt or dust so don't bring your best clothes (or wash them carefully after the trip).
A t-shirt with long sleeves is a no-brainer, the same as a t-shirt with short sleeves. The temperature in the desert can drop significantly, especially in the evening and overnight, so bring a warm down jacket.
The rooms where we slept were clean and relatively warm, but we got cocoons anyway. We recommend taking either runners or flip-flops as well.
In the rainy season, it is easy to get your boots destroyed by salt, so don't bring brand new boots.
In the first accommodation is a shower, and on the second night (or third day in the morning), you can jump in natural hot pools, which means you should have a travel towel and swimsuit. It comes in handy to have a headlamp as well.
There are no ATMs on the way; bring enough cash in Bolivian currency (Bolivian Boliviano or simply BOB), but not that much if you plan on crossing borders to Chile.
Take plenty of water with you and some snacks in case three meals a day are not enough for you. We bought a big water barrel and then refilled our reusable water bottles on the road.
When it comes to toiletries, you basically need a multi-purpose solution (if wearing contacts), hand sanitizer, or shower gel.
The landscape is so surreal that you will take a lot of pictures, bring your trusty travel camera. Don't forget extra batteries - it was possible to charge our stuff every day in the accommodation though.
You also might see several perspective photos from Salar de Uyuni. With dinosaur, a bottle of wine, etc. If you want a photo like this, bring whatever you feel is necessary for the coolest picture.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT SALAR DE UYUNI
Salar de Uyuni is a place where it's hard to tell the best time to visit, but the important message is that you can see it any time of the year, in case you do not have any photo requirements.
Most of the time, you'll be blessed with clear blue skies.
In general, you can expect two distinctive seasons, the same as in the whole country.
Winter, or also the dry season, lasts from May to October. It usually doesn't rain at all, but it gets chilly (below zero) during the night. It is the best time to visit for many travelers because the whole area is accessible and not that much dependent on the weather.
The wet season or Bolivian summer lasts between November and April, but it doesn't rain that much like in the rest of the country during the rainy season.
If you are coming for the famous reflection pictures, the biggest chance to capture it is in February when it rains the most and salt flats (or its parts) is covered with water.
The biggest disadvantage during that time is that you can't drive on the Salar de Uyuni as it can be dangerous and all tours stop only at the edge of the flats.
DO YOU NEED AN ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDE?
Because we didn't speak Spanish fluently, we wondered if it is worth paying extra for an English-speaking guide as the difference can be up to Bs 500 per person.
At least we decided to pay extra only for one reason.
The guide wasn't that important to us, but we did not want to end up for three days in a car with only non-English speaking people in our group.
Our guide was knowledgeable and helpful, but if you want to save some money, we don't think it's necessary to pay extra if you don't mind traveling with a Spanish-speaking group (and have some quiet times).
At every stop, the guide explains a bit about the surroundings, but it is nothing you couldn't live without.
The one English-speaking guide usually takes care of eleven or seventeen clients (two or three cars) from one company.
Although the Spanish and English speaking group eat and sleep at some places, you don't meet during individual stops, and overall those two groups travel separately.
SALAR UYUNI FACILITIES
You can read all over the internet that facilities on Salar de Uyuni tours are basic.
Well, maybe it's just us, but as we've been traveling the world together for more than ten years, we can say that we had seen many basic places. Still, food and accommodation on the Salar de Uyuni tour did not belong to this category as it was much better than we expected.
You will spend the first night in a salt hotel, which is fantastic - everything: ground, chairs or bed is made from salt.
Here we had private rooms with shared facilities and also could pay Bs 10 for a hot shower (there is enough water for two people).
The other night we slept in dormitories (for four or six people; you can pay an additional Bs 150 per person for a private room), but the building was new, well taken care of, and the view from the dining room across the lagoon was stunning.
There is no Wi-Fi, but first, there is not much time to hang around, and second, you will soon find out that it feels great to be without a connection for a couple of days.
Breakfast and dinner are always served in the accommodation while lunch is in dining facilities along the way. Food was not somehow spectacular but sufficient given the conditions.
The only facilities we were missing on our tour, especially ladies, were toilets.
There are not many stops with toilets (and if yes, the cost is Bs 5!), so we had to go behind bushes, cars, or rocks most of the time.
WHERE TO STAY IN SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA AFTER YOUR TOUR
After arriving in San Pedro de Atacama, we were unpleasantly surprised by the high prices of accommodation which by no means don't match the standard.
Unfortunately, almost every traveler in Chile stops by here, and hoteliers know that they can increase rates.
This time, we think it is worth making a reservation in advance because you'll be tired after touring salt flats for three days and you don't want to end up searching for some last-minute accommodation.
We've selected the best hotels in San Pedro de Atacama.
Budget | Tiny Hostel Atacama - One of the cheapest but well-rated hostels in San Pedro de Atacama, where you can find private rooms.
Mid-range | Hostal Pablito - Featuring an outdoor swimming pool, this mid-range priced hotel is a real treat where you can relax after a long and dusty day out.
Luxury | NOI Casa Atacama - A beautiful, sustainable hotel with an excellent internet connection, a nice swimming pool, a small spa, and a delicious breakfast. You won't find a better place to stay in the town if you don't mind paying a bit more.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
