Salar de Uyuni
The world’s largest salt flat spans 10,582 square kilometres across Bolivia’s southern Andean highlands, a vast expanse of crystalline white that holds a third of the planet’s lithium reserves.
At a glance
Salar de Uyuni dominates the high plateau at 3,650 metres elevation. Its immense surface—approximately 10,582 square kilometres—makes it by far the largest salty expanse on Earth. Beneath the crust lie an estimated 10 billion tons of salt arranged in roughly 11 layers, each 2 to 10 metres thick.
History
Approximately 40,000 years ago, this region formed part of Lake Minchin, a prehistoric inland sea of vast proportions. As the climate shifted and the lake gradually disappeared, its waters receded, leaving behind the present-day lakes Poopó and Uru Uru. The same desiccation process created two major salt deserts: Salar de Coipasa and the monumental Salar de Uyuni.
What you see
The salt flat presents an almost featureless horizon of white, interrupted by geometric patterns of salt extraction pools and the occasional rocky outcrop. Hidden within the crust are the Ojos de Salar—literally “eyes of the salt desert”—natural holes through which underground water rises. In certain light conditions these water-filled cavities become nearly invisible, a phenomenon that inspired Inca legends of openings that swallowed entire caravans.
Cultural significance
The Salar holds profound importance for both contemporary resource economics and indigenous Andean tradition. Its mineral wealth—particularly lithium reserves constituting one-third of global supplies—makes it strategically vital in the modern world. Simultaneously, it persists in regional folklore as a landscape of mystery and danger, a place where natural phenomena blur with spiritual narratives.
Key facts
- Area: 10,582 km²
- Elevation: 3,650 metres
- Estimated salt reserves: 10 billion tons
- Annual salt extraction: less than 25,000 tons
- Lithium reserves: approximately one-third of global supplies
- Location: Potosí and Oruro departments, near Uyuni city
- Coordinates: -20.2210109, -67.6257804
Practical information
The Salar de Uyuni is accessible from the town of Uyuni. Most visitors arrive via organized tours departing from major Bolivian cities. The site experiences significant seasonal variation; the dry season (May–October) offers the best conditions for travel and visibility.
Getting there
Uyuni is accessible by air and road from La Paz and other Bolivian cities. The town serves as the primary gateway to the salt flat. Standard practice involves hiring a guide and vehicle locally; independent travel across the Salar is not recommended due to its vast, featureless terrain.
Sources & resources
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