[2025 Colchani Stay] Travel Guide for Hotel Palacio de SAL (Updated May)

Salar de Uyuni Travel Guide: Located in southwest Bolivia, Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat, spanning 10,582 square kilometers. During the rainy season (December to March), a thin layer of water transforms this salt flat into the world's largest natural mirror, creating the breathtaking "Sky Mirror" spectacle. During the dry season (April to November), the unique landscape of hexagonal salt formations is equally awe-inspiring. --- Best Time to Visit: - Rainy Season (December-March): The best time to experience the "Sky Mirror," with January and February offering the most stunning views. - Dry Season (April-November): Ideal for capturing the geometric patterns of the salt formations. Be prepared for significant temperature differences between day and night. - It's recommended to avoid the peak season in February (during the South American Carnival). --- Must-Do Experiences: 1. Sky Mirror Photography Tour - Sunrise/Sunset Photography: The softest light creates the most dramatic reflections. - Starry Sky Photography: Capture the Milky Way reflected in the mirror-like surface under a pollution-free sky (best during a waning moon). - Creative Perspective Photography: Use perspective to create fun and playful photos (bring small props for enhanced effect). 2. Salt Hotel Experience - Palacio de Sal: The world's first hotel built entirely of salt bricks, even the furniture is made of salt. - Luna Salada: A luxury salt hotel with a rooftop pool overlooking the salt flat. 3. Explore Surrounding Wonders - Train Cemetery: An open-air museum of abandoned steam locomotives from the late 19th century. - Incahuasi Island (Isla Incahuasi): An "oasis" in the middle of the salt flat, home to giant cacti reaching heights of 12 meters. - Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon): A pink-colored lake inhabited by flamingos. - Sol de Mañana Geysers: An active geothermal area at an altitude of 5,000 meters. --- Itinerary Suggestions: Classic 3-Day Tour: Day 1: Uyuni Town → Train Cemetery → Salt Flat → Incahuasi Island → Overnight stay at a salt hotel Day 2: Salt Flat Sunrise → Chiguana Salt Flat → Laguna Colorada → Stone Tree → Overnight stay at a desert lodge Day 3: Sol de Mañana Geysers → Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon) → Return to Uyuni In-depth 5-Day Tour: Includes visits to volcanoes surrounding Uyuni, more high-altitude lakes, and indigenous villages. --- Practical Information: Transportation: - Arrival: Fly from La Paz (1 hour) or take an overnight bus (10 hours). - Salt Flat Tours: Must join a local tour (4WD vehicle, approx. $100-150/person/3 days). Accommodation Recommendations: - High-end: Luna Salada Hotel ($150+/night) - Mid-range: Cristal Samaña ($80-120/night) - Budget: Salt hostel dorm beds ($15-30/night) Essential Items: - Sunscreen (SPF50+), sunglasses (to protect against the glare from the salt flat) - Warm clothing (day-night temperature differences can reach 30°C) - Waterproof shoe covers (essential during the rainy season) - Camera cleaning kit (salt dust is highly corrosive) --- Unique Experiences: 1. Starlit Dinner: Some high-end hotels offer candlelit dinners in the middle of the salt flat, allowing you to enjoy fine dining under the stars and amidst the reflections. 2. Salt Therapy Spa: Indulge in body treatments using local salt and minerals. 3. Lithium Mine Visit: Learn about modern lithium mining in the salt flat (reservations required). --- Travel Tips: - Altitude Sickness: The salt flat is at an altitude of 3,656 meters. It's recommended to acclimatize for 1-2 days beforehand. - Photography Tips: Bring a tripod and a wide-angle lens (16-35mm is ideal). - Cultural Etiquette: Respect the customs of the local Aymara indigenous people. - Environmental Protection: Do not litter and help protect the fragile salt formations. --- Why Choose Salar de Uyuni? This is not just an Instagram hotspot; it's a pristine place that will make you rethink the relationship between humans and nature. Standing in the middle of the boundless salt flat, watching the horizon disappear into the sky, you'll experience a sense of tranquility and awe that transcends words. Whether you're seeking the ultimate photography experience or searching for an otherworldly landscape on Earth, Salar de Uyuni will leave you with unforgettable memories. > "Here, the sky fell in love with the earth, and so the world was given a mirror." - A local Aymara proverb Budget Estimate: A mid-range 3-day tour costs approximately $300-500/person (including transportation, accommodation, and guide). Booking 3 months in advance is recommended during peak season.

| Uyuni Incahuasi Island - the cactus kingdom in the salt sea. 👍Recommended reason: The "Oasis" of Uyuni Salt Flats Isla Incahuasi, also known as Cactus Island, is a small island in the Uyuni Salt Flats. It is named after the thousand-year-old giant cacti that are up to 10 meters high growing on the island. This is an oasis in the salt sea and one of the best viewing spots. After reaching the top, you can enjoy a 360° view of the magnificent salt marsh. ✅ Spectacular Millennium Cacti - Giant cacti that are over a thousand years old grow on the island, some of which are over 10 meters high; ✅ Climb to the top and overlook the salt marsh - Standing on the highest point on the island, you can see the endless white salt plains with an excellent view; ✅ Salt crystal landform in the dry season - looking down from a high place, you can clearly see the unique hexagonal crystals on the surface of the salt marsh, like a huge honeycomb; ✅ Sunrise and sunset on the Salt Sea - Go to the island in the early morning or evening to enjoy the most beautiful sunrise and sunset on the salt marsh. The sunset glows on the salt surface, like a dream. ⸻ 📅 Travel guide: How to have fun in Incahuasi Island? 🌟 Must-try items 🚶‍♂️ Cactus Jungle Adventure - Walk along the trail among the giant cacti and feel their magical vitality; ⛰ Climb to the top and overlook the salt marsh - there is a hiking trail on the island, and you can climb to a high place to enjoy a 360° panoramic view of the Uyuni Salt Marsh; 📸 Hexagonal salt crystal photography - Looking down from a high altitude, the surface of the salt marsh presents a hexagonal geometric texture, like a sci-fi blockbuster; 🌅 Sunrise and sunset check-in - Watch the sun slowly rise or set on the island, and the salt fields will be dyed pink, orange, and purple, which is beautiful; 🤳 Fantasy reflection photos - If it is the rainy season, a shallow lake will form around the island, reflecting the sky, which is especially suitable for taking pictures of the sky mirror. 🕰 Recommended play time 📌 1-2 hours is enough. The round trip to the top of the trail takes about 30-40 minutes. You can slowly enjoy the scenery along the way and take photos. 🌧️ Rainy season (December to March): ✔️ If the water is deep, Cactus Island may not be accessible and can only be viewed from a distance; ✔️ If the amount of water is just right, you can take a magical picture of the cactus reflected in the water. ☀️ Dry season (April to November): ✔️ All trails on the island are open and can be explored on foot; ✔️ You can see the clearest salt crystal landforms, which is the best time to take photos and climb to the top. ⸻ 🚗 Transportation Guide: How to get to Incahuasi Island? 📍 Location: Incahuasi Island is located in the heart of the Uyuni Salt Flats. 🚙 4WD Salt Flats Tour: ✅ Take a day trip to the salt flats or a multi-day expedition, where a 4WD driver will take you into the salt flats, usually with a stop at Incahuasi Island; ✅ Depart from Uyuni town, usually at 8-9 in the morning, and it takes about 2 hours to reach the island; ✅ Self-driving (experience required) - If you have four-wheel drive off-road driving experience, you can rent a car to enter the salt marsh, but it is recommended to travel with a companion and bring sufficient navigation equipment. ⸻ 🏨 Accommodation recommendation: Stay at a featured hotel near the salt marsh! 🏨 Palacio de Sal (Salt Palace Hotel) - The world's first salt brick hotel, the walls, furniture and even beds are made of salt, unique and comfortable; 🏨 Luna Salada Hotel - Panoramic room + salt brick structure, overlooking the salt marsh, with unbeatable views; 🏨 Cristal Samaña - Salt brick dome house, suitable for taking photos and checking in, and you can enjoy the starry sky at night. ⸻ 🍽 Food recommendation: Uyuni specialties 🥩 Llama Steak——A specialty of Bolivia, with a unique taste and rich in protein; 🌮 Bolivian Salteñas – baked pies similar to South American Empanadas, with juicy fillings; 🍲 Quinoa Soup——A special plateau delicacy, warm and nutritious; 🍷 Coca Tea – a traditional drink that helps relieve altitude sickness. 📍 Recommended restaurants: ✅ Tika - the most popular local restaurant in Uyuni, serving traditional Bolivian cuisine; ✅ Minuteman Revolutionary Pizza - An American pizza shop, perfect for a change of taste; ✅ Lliphi - Combination of Bolivian local cuisine + Western cuisine, with a variety of choices. ⸻ 💗 Other Tips ✔️ Altitude sickness: Incahuasi Island is about 3,650 meters above sea level. It is recommended to take anti-altitude sickness drugs in advance, drink plenty of water, and avoid strenuous exercise; ✔️ Dressing Guide: •Rainy season (December-March): bring waterproof shoes, a light jacket, and shorts; •Dry season (April-November): The temperature difference between day and night is large, so short sleeves and sunscreen are required during the day, and down jackets are necessary at night; ✔️ Photography Tips: • Brightly colored clothes stand out more against a white salt marsh background; • Tripod + wide-angle lens can capture more stunning scenery; ✔️ Environmental awareness: Please do not touch the cacti or destroy the ecology, and keep the natural beauty pure. 🌟 Incahuasi Island is a must-visit spot for exploring the Uyuni Salt Flats. Climbing up the Cactus Island and overlooking this white land, it feels like standing at the end of the world!

| Uyuni Salt Flats - the real "Mirror of the Sky". 👍 Recommended reason: The most dreamy reflection world on earth The Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world and one of the most fairy-like places. During the rainy season, this place becomes a huge natural mirror, reflecting the sky, as if you are in the clouds; during the dry season, it becomes an endless white salt plain, like a giant white canvas, shocking. ✅ "Sky Mirror" wonder - during the rainy season (December to March), the salt marsh accumulates water, and the sky and the earth merge into one, forming a perfect reflection; ✅ Dreamy Starry Sky & Milky Way Reflection - At night, the stars are scattered on the salt marsh, as if stepping into the depths of the universe; ✅ Hexagonal salt crystals in the dry season - During the dry season (April to November), the surface of the salt marsh dries up, forming geometric patterned salt crystals, which are like entering a science fiction world; ✅ Fairyland-like sunrise and sunset - when the rays of light fall, the entire salt marsh changes into breathtaking colors such as pink, purple, golden yellow, and fiery red; ✅ Cactus Island Adventure - Isla Incahuasi, located in the center of the salt marsh, is covered with huge cacti and is the best place to climb and overlook the salt marsh; ✅ Explore the Train Cemetery - an abandoned steam train site, full of desolate and mysterious beauty, perfect for taking photos. ⸻ 📅 Travel guide: How to have fun in Uyuni Salt Flats? 🌟 Must-try items 📸 Sky Mirror Photography - Use the reflection on the water surface to take fantastic "floating photos" or symmetrical reflections; 🚙 Salt Flat Jeep Adventure - Take a four-wheel drive off-road vehicle and gallop across the vast salt plains to experience the magnificence of the end of the earth; 🏝 Climb up to Cactus Island - Climb up to Incahuasi Island and enjoy a 360° panoramic view of the salt marsh; 🌌 Milky Way Night Photography - On a clear night, the starry sky is reflected on the salt marsh, making for a dreamy photo; ⛺ Salt Hotel Accommodation——Experience the world's unique "salt brick" hotel construction and sleep on a bed made of salt! 🕰 Recommended play time 📌 Minimum 1 day, but 2-3 days is recommended so that you can enjoy the various wonders of the salt marsh at different times and in different weather. 🌧️ Rainy season (December to March): ✔️ Suitable for shooting the "Sky Mirror" effect, but some areas are inaccessible due to water accumulation; ✔️ It is recommended to stay for 1-2 nights to increase the probability of encountering a windless mirror effect. ☀️ Dry season (April to November): ✔️ White hexagonal crystals form on the surface of the salt marsh, with a unique landform, suitable for in-depth exploration by four-wheel drive; ✔️ Suitable for hiking on the island, enjoying the vast scenery, and photographing the unique landforms of the salt plain. ⸻ 🚗 Transportation Guide: How to get to Uyuni Salt Flats? 📍 Location: Salar de Uyuni is located in southwestern Bolivia. ✈ Aircraft: ✅ La Paz — Uyuni: There are flights every day, and the flight time is about 1 hour; ✅ Santa Cruz — Uyuni: Direct flights are available in some seasons. 🚂 Train: ✅ Oruro - Uyuni: Take the Bolivian Railway Company (FCA) train, about 7 hours journey. 🚌 Bus: ✅ La Paz-Uyuni: Long-distance bus, departing at night, the journey takes about 10 hours, and it is recommended to choose a sleeper bus. 🚙 4WD Salt Flats Tour: ✅ After arriving in Uyuni, you can sign up for a one-day salt flat tour or a multi-day expedition in the town, and the four-wheel drive driver will lead tourists to major attractions. ⸻ 🏨 Accommodation recommendation: Stay in a "hotel made of salt"! 💎 Featured Salt Hotel Recommendations: 🏨 Palacio de Sal (Salt Palace Hotel) - The world's first salt hotel, with walls, furniture and beds all made of salt, providing an excellent experience; 🏨 Luna Salada Hotel - the most luxurious salt hotel, offering a restaurant with a view, hot springs, and panoramic rooms; 🏨 Cristal Samaña - A uniquely designed salt brick dome house, perfect for taking photos. 💡 If you want to take pictures of the starry sky, it is recommended to choose a salt hotel farther away from the city, where there is less light pollution at night and the view is better! ⸻ 🍽 Food recommendation: Try the Bolivian flavor! 🥘 Llama Steak - a specialty of Bolivia, low in fat and high in protein, with tender meat; 🌽 Salteñas - baked pies similar to Argentinian Empanadas, filled with meat and vegetables; 🥔 Papas a la Huancaína (creamy potatoes) - rich in milk flavor and paired with chili sauce, very distinctive; 🥤 Quinua Soup - A traditional soup from the Bolivian highlands, warm and nutritious; 🍷 Coca Tea - A traditional local drink that helps relieve altitude sickness. 📍 Recommended restaurants: ✅ Tika - Uyuni's most popular local restaurant, serving traditional Bolivian dishes; ✅ Minuteman Revolutionary Pizza - American-style pizza shop, perfect for some familiar fare; ✅ Lliphi - A combination of Bolivian local cuisine and Western food, suitable for tourists of all tastes. ⸻ 💗 Other Tips ✔️ Altitude sickness: Uyuni is about 3,656 meters above sea level. It is recommended to take anti-altitude sickness drugs in advance, drink plenty of water, and avoid strenuous exercise; ✔️ Dressing Guide: • Rainy season (December-March): Bring slippers, shorts, and a waterproof jacket to avoid getting your clothes wet; •Dry season (April-November): Large temperature difference between day and night, short sleeves + sunscreen during the day, thick coats at night; ✔️ Photography Tips: • When shooting the "Sky Mirror", it is recommended to wear brightly colored clothes to create a more contrasting effect; •When photographing the Milky Way at night, a tripod is needed to improve stability. ✔️ Salt marsh environmental protection: Please carry garbage bags with you to keep the natural beauty pure. 🌟 Uyuni Salt Flats is a place you must visit at least once in your life. Whether it is the Sky Mirror, the hexagonal salt crystals, or the reflection of the Milky Way, every moment is shocking!

| A Magical Adventure at the Mirror of the Sky 🌟 Bolivia Uyuni | A Magical Adventure at the Mirror of the Sky 🌟 🌄 Why visit Uyuni? This is the closest place to heaven on Earth! Salar de Uyuni is known as the "Mirror of the Sky." During the rainy season, the salt lake reflects the sky and the earth, while in the dry season, it transforms into a pure white desert. Besides the salt flats, there are also abandoned train cemeteries, thousand-year-old cactus islands, colorful lakes inhabited by pink flamingos... Each place is like a wonder from another planet. 🗓️ Best time to visit Rainy season (December–March): The salt flats become a mirror, perfect for capturing stunning "Mirror of the Sky" photos! However, some roads may be muddy and difficult to navigate. Dry season (April–October): The salt crust is hard, allowing for driving across, making it ideal for adventure. The starry sky over the salt flats at night is breathtaking. 🚗 Transportation guide 1. How to get to Uyuni? Flight: La Paz → Uyuni (about 1 hour, round-trip including tax approx. $1,200). Night bus: Depart from La Paz, 10 hours direct (ticket price $20–40), cost-effective but bumpy. Self-drive: Depart from La Paz, with stops at attractions like "Valley of the Moon," but be prepared for high-altitude road conditions. 2. Local transportation Salt flat 4WD: A must! Local drivers are familiar with the terrain and can find the best mirror-like spots during the rainy season (approx. $100–150/day including guide). Train: Uyuni has an abandoned train cemetery, perfect for photo ops. 🌟 Must-visit attractions & activities 1. Salar de Uyuni Mirror magic: During the rainy season, take reflection photos in bright-colored clothes at sunrise or sunset! Guides will take you to seamless water surfaces. Salt brick hotel: Spend a night in a hotel made entirely of salt (e.g., Hotel de Sal Luna Salada) for a "salty" experience. Incahuasi Island: An oasis in the center of the salt flats, with thousand-year-old cacti up to 10 meters tall. Climb to the top for a panoramic view of the salt flats. 2. Train Cemetery Abandoned steam trains from the last century, rusty mechanical beasts, full of post-apocalyptic vibes! Recommended to shoot at sunrise or sunset for stunning light and shadow effects. 3. Laguna Colorada & Desert Wonders Stone Tree: Wind-eroded giant rocks in the Siloli Desert, with bizarre shapes resembling alien sculptures. 4. Off-the-beaten-path activities Stargazing camping: During the dry season, the salt flats are free from light pollution, and the Milky Way is within reach. Salt harvesting experience: Watch locals make salt by hand, and see salt brick houses, which are super interesting. 🏨 Accommodation recommendations Salt hotels: Palacio de Sal (luxurious salt brick palace), Casa de Sal (high cost-performance ratio). Backpacker choice: Hostal La Magia de Uyuni, convenient location, great atmosphere. 🍴 Food guide Llama set meal: Try llama meat, a local specialty that is slightly dry, but more flavorful with chili sauce. Salt flat picnic: Travel agencies often provide lunch on the salt flats, with a pure white world as the backdrop, full of ceremony. ⚠️Travel tips 1. Altitude sickness: Uyuni is at an altitude of 3,656 meters, so drink coca tea or prepare medication in advance. 2. Sun protection! Sun protection! The salt flats reflect strong UV rays, so sunglasses and SPF50+ are essential. 3. Bring cash: There are few ATMs in town, and most stores only accept Bolivianos (BOB). 4. Respect nature: The salt flats are fragile, so don't litter, and avoid salt mound work areas when taking photos. 📅 Classic 3-day, 2-night itinerary Day 1: Train Cemetery → Salt flat sunset → Salt hotel experience Day 2: Incahuasi Island → Salt flat mirror photography → Laguna Colorada adventure Day 3: Siloli Desert Stone Tree → Return to La Paz. 💡 Final note: The beauty of Uyuni is an ultimate experience of "eyes in heaven, body in hell." Get your camera, thick coat, and adventurous spirit ready, and set off!