How to get to Uyuni from Puno?

How to get there From Puno to Uyuni

The Uyuni Salt Flats are the largest continuous salt desert in the world, located in southwestern Bolivia. It is in the province of Daniel Campos, in the department of Potosí, within the Altiplano region of the Andes mountain range. This attraction is known for being the gateway to the salt flats. The Uyuni Salt Flat also has the largest lithium reserve in the world, with 50-70% of the world’s lithium, and has significant amounts of potassium, boron, and magnesium.

Climate

The temperature ranges between 10 and 25 degrees Celsius, but varies depending on the time of year, getting quite cold from May to September and a little warmer from October to April.

• Area: 10,582 km².
• Altitude: 3,650 meters above sea level

How to get to Uyuni from Puno?

The best way to get from the city of Puno to Uyuni is by bus, which requires taking two routes.

• Puno – La Paz
• La Paz – Uyuni

There are two options for crossing the Bolivian border from Puno: Desaguadero or Copacabana.

Desaguadero – La Paz

The journey begins in the city of Puno, capital of the department of the same name and the largest city on the shores of Lake Titicaca. At an altitude of 3,827 meters above sea level, we must take the necessary precautions before our arrival in the city of Puno so as not to suffer from altitude sickness.

First, we have to go to the bus terminal to board a bus bound for Puno – La Paz, leaving Puno at approximately 7 a.m. and heading for Desaguadero. The journey will take 2 hours and 30 minutes. Desaguadero is the Peru-La Paz border, where tourists must walk four blocks to reach the Peruvian immigration control and register their departure from the country. After the checkpoint, we will continue our journey to the city of La Paz, which will take 2 hours and 30 minutes, arriving at the La Paz bus terminal at approximately 2:30 p.m.

Copacabana – La Paz

If you want to save money but still see beautiful landscapes, we recommend taking the Puno-Copacabana route. You must take a bus from the Puno terminal to the Bolivian city of Copacabana. The journey takes about 3 hours to the Kasani-Yunguyo border, with the option of stopping in Copacabana. It allows you to enjoy beautiful views of the deepest navigable lake in the world, visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana, and savor fresh trout in one of the many restaurants. This is a good stop on the route from Puno to Uyuni. It also takes about 20 to 30 minutes to go to the immigration offices in Peru and Bolivia to complete the necessary paperwork. Once this process is complete, we will change buses to continue the journey across the Strait of Tiquina, then continue our trip to La Paz, arriving at approximately 4:30 p.m.

La Paz – Uyuni

La Paz is the gateway to the Salar de Uyuni, so once we have completed our route from Puno to Uyuni, we will need to take another bus. On the other hand, we must bear in mind that buses depart every day of the week at night. The bus will stop in the town of Challapata or Oruro, where travelers can buy snacks, so you will arrive at your destination in the morning. The journey takes 10 hours.

Once we arrive in the Bolivian city of Uyuni, it is important to hire a tour to get to the salt flats, as there are no signs and you can get lost if you go on your own. However, the cost of the service varies depending on the agency.

How to get to Uyuni by train from Puno?

It is important to know the distance between Puno train station and Uyuni. The journey will cover a total of 497 miles (799 km). The distance by air is 383 miles (615 km).

Is it possible to fly from Puno to Salar de Uyuni?

To get there by air, the most important thing is to go to Lima, so you can fly from Lima to La Paz or Santa Cruz and from there take a connecting flight to Uyuni.

Latam and BoA airlines offer flights from Lima to La Paz or Santa Cruz (from US$300 or S/1,120). The connection to Uyuni is covered by BoA (from US$200 or S/750, round trip). Each flight takes approximately a couple of hours. From the Peruvian capital to the salt flat destination, the flight takes between 4 and 4.5 hours.

What can you do in the Salar de Uyuni?

In addition to seeing one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, in the Salar de Uyuni you can take fun photos, ride in motorized vehicles, and see pink flamingos.

When is the best time to visit the Salar de Uyuni?

The best season is between January and March, when the rainy season occurs in the Salar de Uyuni, giving it the characteristic of a ‘giant mirror’ in which the sky is reflected, making it the best time to visit. However, between July and September, the temperature is lower, but the skies will be clear for taking beautiful photographs.

Recommendations for your trip to the Salar de Uyuni

• Pack light, as you will have to board many buses.
• Exchange your money in Desaguadero.
• When you arrive in Uyuni, look for a tour for the trip.

What should I bring with me to Salar de Uyuni?

• Wear comfortable, warm clothing.
• Bring hiking shoes.
• Sunglasses.
• Sunscreen.
• Bring at least one liter of water.