The Other Side of Bolivia - Salar de Uyuni

Oh... Bolivia, unparalleled landscapes, breathtaking scenery,  splendid and mythical culture, succulent local cuisine. Despite being one of the poorest countries in South America, Bolivia has lots to offer for budget conscious backpackers looking for a real adventure. 

  

One can easily travel in Bolivia on a budget of $15-$20 per day. Street food scattered around city centers usually costs 5-10 Bolivianos (7 Bolivianos = $1). Local mercado offers a good selection of fresh vegetable and fruits, almost guaranteed organic, at a fraction of your typical North American price. If you are in the mood of sampling authentic cuisine, comedors, a kind of diner establishment usually operated single-handedly by a Bolivian lady, are some of the cheapest options out there. If you are willing to forgo air conditioning, the general rule for cost of traveling on local bus or collectivo is $1 for 1 hour drive. Here are some highlights of my one month backpacking in Bolivia:

UYUNI SALT FLAT

The one reason many backpackers end up in Bolivia is because of Salar de Uyuni, the world famous salt flat. Uyuni sat flat has been living up for the expectations, rainy season or dry season. Uyuni the town itself is exclusively designated as a launch point for travelers to the salt flat. Tour operators are packed around 3 or 4 major streets. But finding a reputable operator can be a little tricky, some of the safe ones include Cordillera, Estrella de Sur, World White Travel and Red Planet. 

Tips: 

• It is 40% cheaper to book uyuni tour from Bolivian side;
• Bring warm clothing, it gets bitterly cold during the night;
• Be prepared for high attitude sickness, few people are totally immune to it at 5000 meters. Follow the protocol, keep yourself hydrated, move slowly, and take medicine if needed. If you are traveling from Chile, you will reach 5000 meters on the first day, the risk is even higher;
• Rainy season is between January to March, this is when you can see the sky mirror effect;
• Try not to stay at the town of Uyuni overnight, food and accommodation are horribly over-priced and there is nothing to see;
• Prepare some props if you plan to get creative taking photos on the salt flat;
• As a general rule, pick up some basic Spanish, your driver is your guide and English speaking guides are not easy to find (they charge more too).