We loved our time travelling to Uyuni, Bolivia, to visit the world’s largest salt flats. We went in the low season in August 2026, and we had an incredible time. For our trip, we spent 2 days in Uyuni, exploring the city on the first day and going on a 1-Day Salt Flats tour on the second day. Now, we spent a lot of time trying to decide where to stay in Uyuni. Our main two options were staying in the city itself or out near the actual Salt Flats. This guide shares the reality of each area and hopes it helps you decide where to stay.
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The Big Decision: Uyuni Town vs. Colchani Salt Hotels
There are two main areas that you’ll consider when deciding where to stay on your trip to Uyuni. First, you have the option to stay right in Uyuni itself. You’ll be close to the tour operators business, restaurants, with easy access to the airport. This area is more affordable, and you’ll be close to all the action. If you choose to stay near Colchani or the edge of the Salt Flats, you are farther away from the town and airport, and you’ll be less likely to leave your hotel/resort. Now, these hotels are quite premium, meaning that they offer amazing amenities and beautiful salt flat views, and you likely won’t want to leave your resort anyways!
Option 1: Staying in Uyuni Town (Convenience & Budget)
Why Choose Uyuni Town?
Uyuni Town is very close to the airport, as the airport is located directly on the edge of the town. We flew in from La Paz, and we learned that there are actually only 2 flights per day that arrive in Uyuni. The taxis were lined up for all of the travellers, and it cost us 20 BOB per person to get to our hotel. The hotel was close to the airport, and we only needed a ride for about 5-10 minutes.
There is also a very small bus station right in the city center that brings travellers to and from Uyuni. Having a hotel in the city center would be ideal for this as it’s a short taxi ride to and from your accommodation.
In Uyuni, there are a number of restaurants, bars, pharmacies, tour companies, and souvenir shops around. While the town is quite small, you can easily spend a bit of time exploring these areas and the markets as well.
What to Do in Uyuni City Before Your Tour
- Plaza Arce & Local Crafts: Plaza Arce is a main square where you can find souvenirs and restaurants to explore. While it’s not a large area, it’s worth spending a bit of time here to shop around.
- Mercado Central de Uyuni: There is a market area with local breads, vegetables, etc. that you can explore. We found that there was a temporary street area where all of the stalls were located. From my understanding, this is temporary and will move once the construction is finished.
- Pick Your Tour: We actually landed with a few tour operators in mind. Since it was the low season, there was a lot of availability to join tours, which may not be as easy during the high season. We spent time visiting a few different tour operators’ shops and then picked out the best one for us.
My Top Hotel Picks in Uyuni Town
1. Hotel De Sal Atipax
Hotel De Sal Atipax is an amazing hotel and is where we stayed. The rooms are very clean and have a lodge-type feel with a modern finish. We appreciated that it had a little area to sit on a chair, a mini fridge, and even a small desk area tucked away in the far corner. One of the highlights for me was the towel heater, which I didn’t anticipate, completing a decent-sized bathroom.
We ended up booking a double queen room and really enjoyed it. They also had a king-size bed, which would have been nice to get too. It was nice to enjoy a complimentary breakfast! You can order fresh eggs/omlette each morning, and they have a standard variety of breads, fruits, cereals, meat & cheese. Although the breakfast was simple, it was fine for us, and we ate upstairs in the cozy nook.
The only thing about this hotel that is certainly worth mentioning is that it’s about a 15-minute walk from the downtown core. Currently, the area around the hotel does not have any other restaurants or shops within a good 10 minutes. We bought our snacks to bring back to the hotel at the grocery store downtown. While we didn’t mind the walk at all, this is something that would have been good to know.
Book Your Stay: Hotel De Sal Atipax
2. Casa del Sal – Salt Hotel
Casa del Sal – Salt Hotel is in the perfect downtown location. The hotel is actually made using Salt Blocks, which makes it quite a unique place to stay. I also always appreciate a hotel that has a designated space for luggage.
The rooms at Casa del Sal have a larger bench area to put your bags, so they feel nice and tucked away. The private bathroom in each room reminds me of a lodge style, with brick and stone finishes, making it look quite nice! The Queen rooms are a comfortable size, but they also have triple and quadruple rooms that have a table and seating area. These rooms are great for larger traveller groups!
Book Your Stay: Casa del Sal – Salt Hotel
3. Hotel Cristales De Sal
Hotel Cristales De Sal is another great hotel to stay at if you are looking for a place in Uyuni. They have simple rooms with nice decor, and honestly, a great choice for a simple 1-night stay. The location can’t be beat as it’s right in the downtown core, close to restaurants, souvenir shops, and tour companies. The hotel offers a variety of room types, including a double room, twin room, and a triple room as well. I would seriously consider this for a short stay. It’s a nice hotel, has great reviews and an ideal location.
Book Your Stay: Hotel Cristales De Sal
Option 2: Staying in a Salt Hotel in Colchani
Why Stay in a Salt Hotel on the Edge of the Flats?
We were so close to booking a salt hotel along the edge of the flats. These hotels/resorts are stunning and offer a luxury experience. Knowing that visiting the Salt Flats was a bucket list item for me, adding in a luxury accommodation retreat seemed like the ultimate getaway. We really only chose the hotel in Uyuni as we dedicated one day to exploring the city and wanted to be close to the restaurants, bars, and shops.
What I love most about staying along the Salt Flats is the stargazing views you’d have in the evenings! Many of these luxury hotels also have amazing amenities, which allow you to truly unwind and relax before/after your trip to the Salt Flats. While we didn’t end up booking a hotel here, I did some research regarding the hotels in this area, and I’m still excited to share my findings!
My Top Hotel Recommendations Near the Salt Flats
1. Palacio de Sal
Palacio de Sal is the World’s First Salt Hotel! It is also a 5-Star hotel, and for good reason. It is absolutely beautiful, featuring luxury rooms, salt flat views, and an incredible guest experience. For me, what stands out the most is actually what’s outdoors. I’m in love with the private cozy campfire spaces, which are perfect for stargazing! They even have a carousel and Ferris wheel too, no less! Without a doubt, this hotel goes above and beyond, creating a whole experience by just staying there.
I would recommend this hotel for couples or solo travellers who are looking for the ultimate luxury escape. This hotel is truly one of a kind, and I think it would be so memorable staying here in the best way!
Book Your Stay: Palacio de Sal
2. Hotel de Sal Luna Salada
Hotel del Sal Luna Salada is another wonderful option, and it is actually what we had also considered. It’s another hotel made from beautiful salt bricks, making a lasting impression on your experience at the Salt Flats. They also have a nice indoor pool, an outdoor seating area with campfires for stargazing, and they even have domes to stay in!
We were sooooooo close to booking this place as it is absolutely stunning! The main reason why we didn’t was that we wanted to be closer to town. Since we were spending 1 full day in Uyuni before doing our 1-day Salt Flat tour, we decided to stay in the two, but it was close to being a toss-up. I would recommend staying at Hotel del Sal Luna Salada for travellers who want to have a unique stay with modern amenities and be close to the Salt Flats!
Book Your Stay: Hotel de Sal Luna Salada
The Verdict: Which Location Should You Book?
- Choose Uyuni Town If: You want to stay close to town, want to book your tour upon arrival, and are looking for more of a budget option.
- Choose a Salt Hotel If: You are looking for a luxury experience, want a unique, elevated stay, and want to go stargazing at night from your hotel!
Where to Stay in Uyuni: Hotels at a Glance
FAQs About Uyuni Accommodations
Can you stay on the salt flats during a 1-day tour?
Yes! Most flights/buses arrive early in the morning, and the tours begin late morning. This means that even if you arrive in the morning, you’ll still be able to book your tour for that same day. In fact, our guide told us that it’s more common for travellers to start their tour the same day they arrive than to stay in Uyuni for a night before joining a tour the next day.
You can book your hotel to stay along the Salt Flats for that same evening you arrive. Note that the hotels are not located on the Salt Flats; they are along the side of the Salt Flats, near Colchani.
How many Days Should I book a Hotel For?
The honest answer is that this depends. The two most popular tours are 1-Day vs 3-Day tours.
The longer tours do provide a hotel/hostel for you; however, the 1-Day tours most likely do not. I would recommend spending 1 Night after your 1-Day Tour as a general rule. You really don’t need much time in the town of Uyuni, so 1-2 nights should be sufficient. We spent 2 nights there for our 1-day tour (staying the night before and after our tour), and this worked out well for us!
How high above sea level are the Uyuni Salt Flats, and will I get altitude sickness?
The Uyuni Salt Flats are located at an altitude of about 3,656 m. We actually flew in from La Paz, which is near the same altitude, and it took us a good few days to get used to the elevation. This can vary per person, but our reality was that it took us a few days to get used to it. However, when we travelled to the Salt Flats, we did feel great and had no issues on our 1-Day excursion.
Final Thoughts About Where to Stay in Uyuni
Visiting the Salt Flats is an amazing experience in and of itself. Deciding where to stay is also another really big decision. We honestly loved our stay at Hotel De Sal Atipax and were very happy with our decision. Since we were spending two nights in Uyuni, it just made more sense for us to book in the town. With that said, the Salt Hotels along the Salt Flats are incredible. If I were to come back to this area again, I do think I would book out there. I love the cozy campfire spaces they have, the luxury experience, and the opportunities for stargazing at night.
I hope that this guide helps you to decide where you want to stay in Uyuni. The Salt Flats is an incredible area to explore, and it’s a true gem to visit! Happy Planning!
