Uyuni

Where to stay

Most budget hostels cluster within a few blocks of Plaza Arce and along Avenida Ferroviaria, which runs past the old rail yard. Both areas put you a short walk from tour agencies and the bus terminal, which matters when your salt flat departure is before sunrise.

Getting around

• Three-day tours to the Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa (the colored lagoons and geysers circuit) are sold by competing agencies across town at similar prices. Compare what is actually included, such as meals, sleeping bag rental, and group size, rather than just the headline fare.
• Bring significantly more cash than you expect to need. Uyuni's ATMs have limited capacity and frequently run out, and most small hostels and restaurants do not accept cards.
• Temperatures at this altitude (around 3,650 meters) drop well below freezing at night even in summer. If your itinerary includes an overnight on a three-day tour, pack a proper warm layer regardless of what the hostel says about blankets.

When to go

Shoulder months like April to May and September to October tend to offer the most room at the best rates, while hostels fill fastest from December through March, when shallow water on the flats creates the mirror reflection that draws the biggest crowds, and again in July when Northern Hemisphere travelers are on the road.