Salar de Uyuni - attractions

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This post is the continuation of the previous text which I wrote about Salar de Uyuni and focused only on attractions which you can find in that place. If you want to read about some basic information and useful tips, check this link 

Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest and the highest-located salt flat. It covers an area of over 10,000 km, a large part of which is open to the public. Tourists from all over the world come here to admire the magnificent views, take unforgettable photos, often having fun with the perspective and discovering Bolivian culture. This place is definitely worth recommending, you can easily spend here even a whole week without being bored for a moment.

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1) Salar de Uyuni

A trip to the salt flat is the main attraction. You can visit the salt flat twice a year and experience two completely different landscapes. From May to November, the salt flat will be dry, it will resemble a white desert stretching to the horizon. From December to April, it is likely that the salt flats will be covered with water. Some come especially at this time. However, if you decide to visit Salar de Uyuni during the rainy season, be aware that some attractions may be difficult or even impossible to reach.

On Salar de Uyuni, it is worth to make unusual photos, playing with perspective. A perfectly flat landscape makes allows to create really funny masterpieces. If you go to a place with a guide, it is very likely that they will suggest you to take a photo and offer you their assortment. If you prefer to take an original photo, you need to spend some time thinking about what it should look like and preparing items that will allow you to create an illusion.

2) Old Hotel in the heart of Uyuni

In the heart of Uyuni there is an old hotel and restaurant that were built entirely of salt. It's worth stopping there for a coffee and taking some photos. Near the entrance you can find flags of all nationalities and communities (for example the LGBT flag). Everyone can attach their own flag if it’s not there yet.

Almost in the same place, just a few dozen meters away, there is a Dakar monument made of salt commemorating the rally that took place here in the past.

3) Isla Incahuasi

It is a rock island in the middle of a salt flat that is a remnant of a former volcano. It is inhabited by several types of animals (gato andino, vicuñas, several types of birds). However, the island is known primarily as a habitat for cacti of the Trichocereus pasacana species - huge plants growing up to 10 meters height.

There is also a restaurant on the island made of cactus wood.

4) Old train cemetery

If you have extra time, it is worth going to the old train cemetery. The cemetery allows us to realize how important commercial point was Uyuni in the past. Currently, the city benefits mostly from tourism, but salt obtained from Uyuni is still available in stores. If you arrived to Uyuni just for a day or two, I would recommend you to skip this attraction though.

5) Climbing the Tunupa Volcano

If you are in good shape and altitude sickness did not have a negative effect on you, it is worth trying to climb Tunupa volcano. The view is amazing and the road itself is picturesque. No climbing skills are required to climb Tunupa, the only difficulty is that at this height, every little effort can be exhausting.

6) Kawsay Vasa Museum

This museum is actually a small cave that contains the remains of the Inca who once inhabited the area and several artifacts. Although there are not many things to see inside, the tour guide who is there can answer all questions and talks about ancient times in an interesting way. A place definitely worth visiting for anyone interested in history.

7) Geysers, flamingos, llamas and alpacas

Other things worth noting are geysers nearby,lakes full of pink flamingos, llamas and alpacas walking around the area. Of course, you will not find llamas and alpacas on the salt flat itself, they are located on its outskirts, including in the area of the volcano, which I described in one of the previous points

8) ... And others

Bolivia and Uyuni are great places to buy souvenirs. As the prices in the country are very low, it is worth getting a comfortable poncho, scarves or other interesting souvenirs here. However, if you plan to visit other places in Bolivia, don’t buy anything in Uyuni. Uyuni, as a typical tourist destination, is more expensive than supermarkets in cities such as Cochabamba or Potosi.

Besides shopping, try some local food. If I had to choose one Bolivian meal worth recommending, it would definitely be salteñas - a Bolivian kind of empanadas with sweet or spicy meat. Perfect meal. However, remember to have tissues with you, because a traveler who is not experienced in eating these delicacies will easily cover himself with the sauce inside.

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That would be all. I hope you liked my post. If you want to talk about anything related to the things I've described above, feel free to leave the comment.

All the photos included in the post belongs to me.

If you want to know me better, here is my achievement 1 

Thank you for reading,

@papi.mati

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