Best Areas to Stay in Salar de Uyuni
Choosing the right neighbourhood makes a huge difference to your experience. Here's an honest breakdown of where to base yourself.
The functional base for all salt flat tours — basic but improving accommodation, good tour agencies, and surprisingly good restaurants given the remote location. The town itself is unremarkable but perfectly positioned.
Hotels built from salt blocks on the edge of the salt flat — walls, floors, furniture and sometimes beds made of salt. An extraordinary experience despite the basic facilities. Book 2–3 weeks ahead in high season.
4,090m colonial city 3h from Uyuni by bus or taxi — the former silver capital of the Spanish Empire. Extraordinary architecture, the working Cerro Rico mines tour, and a fascinating (dark) history.
Many 3-day Uyuni tours end at the Chilean border, dropping passengers in San Pedro de Atacama — a beautiful desert oasis village with excellent hotels and the Atacama salt flat nearby.
Best Hotels in Salar de Uyuni
Palacio de Sal
The original and finest salt hotel in the world — built directly on the edge of the Salar de Uyuni with walls, floors, furniture, and decorative fea...
Jardines de Uyuni
The most comfortable mid-range hotel in Uyuni town — a warm and well-run boutique property with 20 rooms arranged around a heated courtyard garden. ...
How to Get the Best Deal
- Book 2–3 months in advance for peak season (especially Patagonia lodges and Galápagos boats which sell out months ahead)
- Shoulder season (April–May or September–October for most destinations) offers 20–30% lower rates with comparable weather
- Always compare the hotel's own website against third-party booking platforms — direct booking often includes perks
- Check cancellation policies carefully; many South American lodges have strict non-refundable deposits