The charm of Bolivia's Uyuni Salt Flats is not just the mirror effect!

Buenos! (Hello in Spanish)
When asked, 'What are the world's most spectacular sights?' many people might think of the Uyuni Salt Flats.
This time, we've packed in all the charms of Uyuni!

What kind of place is the town of Uyuni?

The town of Uyuni is quite rural and laid-back.
Compared to other cities in Bolivia, it is surprisingly safe, and the locals are very kind, whether at the accommodations or the town market.

There are several restaurants with delicious charcoal-grilled dishes, where you can enjoy not only alpaca but also llama meat.
It's tasty without any gamey smell, so be sure to give it a try!
(Please be sure to take responsibility when trying unique local foods)

How to enjoy the Uyuni Salt Flats

The Uyuni Salt Flats are about an hour's drive from the town of Uyuni.
Plan your trip according to the scenery you want to see!
Here are some options:
① Day tour: A tour of the Uyuni Salt Flats during the day and evening, Incahuasi Island, and the Train Cemetery
② Sunrise tour: A tour to see the scenery from midnight to morning at the Uyuni Salt Flats
③ Sunset tour: A tour to see the scenery from evening to midnight at the Uyuni Salt Flats
④ 2 Days tour: A tour with an overnight stay around the Uyuni Salt Flats
※ You can also continue to Atacama, Chile.

I chose options ① and ②!
High-protection sunglasses, sunscreen, and warm clothing are essential!
During the day, the sun is strong, and at night, temperatures drop below freezing, so be well-prepared.

A Day tour full of charm

The Day tour visits the souvenir street, Train Cemetery, Incahuasi Island, Salt Hotel, dry salt flats, and mirror-like salt flats.
The Train Cemetery is a place where trains used for transporting minerals over 100 years ago are gathered.
You can freely climb on top of the trains, so look for great photo spots!

After driving on the salt flats for a while, you'll suddenly come across Incahuasi Island, full of cacti.
I was shocked to find that plants other than mangroves can survive in such a salty environment...!
The view of the salt flats from the top of the island is breathtaking.

Around the Salt Hotel, there's a spot where flags from around the world gather!
But if you look closely, you won't find the Japanese flag among them?!
So, I have a request for those visiting Uyuni after this.
Please bring and raise the Japanese flag! Thank you!

A salt lake that spreads across a dry area popular with Westerners.
Let's take a commemorative photo with everyone we went with, in our favorite poses!
By the way, I took some salt from this area and boiled pasta with it at my accommodation.

Now, the mirror-like spot you've all been waiting for!
As expected, it was an extremely beautiful view, and I gazed at it absentmindedly for a while.

The rainy season in Uyuni is from December to March, and since I visited in December, the water level was a bit low.
Since the weather is unstable during the rainy season, it's recommended to stay for about a week and aim for sunny days.

The Sunrise tour can be enjoyed even during a full moon!

When you go, I hope you'll aim for a new moon day and enjoy the full starry sky visible at the salt lake, but even on a full moon night, you can enjoy it like this using lights.

By the way, I was most moved by the sunrise on the Sunrise tour, which looked like heaven.

Cycling is also available

Actually, you can go from the town of Uyuni to the Uyuni salt flats by bicycle.
Approximately 6 hours round trip, Especially during the rainy season, the tires can get stuck in the salt lake, making it impossible to move forward.
I am quite confident in my physical strength, but it was so tough that I considered abandoning my bicycle and hitchhiking.
However, it becomes a very good memory, so if you're brave, please give it a try.

Lastly, the charm of Bolivia is not limited to the town of Uyuni.
I will introduce this in another article.
Well then, everyone, adios!