The Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, a place from another planet
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The mysticism and the unreal of Salar de Uyuni make it a place taken from science fiction
Bolivia is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular places in the world, from its privileged geography to its vast cultural wealth. Its extension allows it to have all kinds of climates and ecosystems, which in some cases are unique, such as the Salar de Uyuni, the largest and highest salt desert in the world. Despite being located more than 3,500 meters above sea level, it is a place accessible to tourism, being one of the biggest attractions of the South American country.
Leer en español: El salar de Uyuni en Bolivia, un lugar de otro planeta
The train from Oruro
Arriving in Uyuni is an experience in itself, especially if it is done in Bolivian trains. The country offers tourists a first level tourist network. If you arrive from La Paz, it is best to take a bus to Oruro, on a journey of approximately three hours. In La Paz, it is possible to acquire the train tickets since the Andean Railway Company has an office in the capital of the country. Once in Oruro, take the train towards Uyuni, a small town that is the gateway to the majestic salt flat, in a journey of about 7 hours and that has a cost that goes from 5 to 18 dollars, depending on the route and the service modality. It is also possible to arrive by bus or plane, so the trip is faster, but without the charm that only the train offers.
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The Salar
It has a size of approximately 10,000 km2, according to the newspaper El Universal, which is equivalent to half the surface of El Salvador, to get an idea of its dimensions. It is a whim of nature that makes it seem that heaven and earth are united, the newspaper El País notes that its amazing view was used in episode VIII of Star Wars, representing the surface of the small salt planet Crait, nowhere it could have represented it better than Uyuni.
In the first months of the year the rains leave the surface covered by a thin layer of water, which turns the saline soil into a mirror that reflects the sky, turning the place into a place of fantasy. The vast regions that stand out for their whiteness look like snowfields, although in reality, they are salt. However, what it does share with the snow is the cold that is felt in a good part of the year, with some temperatures below zero, so being warm is essential.
Its main attractions are the various lagoons and cracked places where you can admire the landscape, take photographs or make long journeys in its immensity. It is one of the few places that by themselves attract tourists without the need for additional attractions. The only thing that is needed in the salar is necessary equipment, a camera and to be relaxed to enjoy nature. It is also important to be prepared for height and its complications, especially if you are prone to altitude sickness.
The Salt Palace
It is a hotel located 200 meters from the salt, liberally salt. Other hotels in the world stand out for using mud or ice in their construction, this being distinctive for the use of salt. It is a place of authentic luxury that has the best services, including a spa. The best thing is its location practically on the shores of the Great Salt, so it is considered a place organically connected to the tourist attraction, where you can also enjoy the Bolivian haute cuisine.
LatinAmerican Post | Luis Ángel Hernández Liborio
Translated from "El salar de Uyuni en Bolivia, un lugar de otro planeta"
