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Round the World Travel Guide

10 Stunning Landscape Photos from Bolivia

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A perfect reflection at the aptly-named Laguna Verde
A perfect reflection at the aptly-named Laguna Verde (“Green Lake” / 4,400m)

The world's largest salt flat may be Bolivia's claim to landscape fame, but the entire Bolivian Altiplano features breathtaking scenery.

The region between the city of Uyuni and the Chilean border near San Pedro de Atacama is dotted with mineral-rich lagoons, snow-capped volcanoes and barren desert.

The photos from my three-day trip to Salar de Uyuni are some of the best I've taken in my life. These are 10 of my favorites. I hope they inspire you too.

Laguna Blanca (4,350m) owes its white hue to the mineral Borax
Laguna Blanca (“White Lake” / 4,350m) owes its white hue to the mineral Borax
Sol de Mañana Geothermal Field (4,850m)
Boiling mud at the Sol de Mañana Geothermal Field (“Morning Sun” / 4,850m)
The blood-red Laguna Cordoba (4,278m)
Laguna Cordoba (“Red Lake” / 4,278m)
Árbol de Piedra (“Stone Tree”)
Árbol de Piedra (“Stone Tree”)
Desierto Siloli
Desierto Siloli
Laguna Cañapa
Laguna Cañapa is a popular lunch spot for good reason
Steam rises from Volcán Ollagüe (5,868m)
Steam rises from Volcán Ollagüe (5,868m)
Scenery like this is the norm when crossing the Bolivian Altiplano
Scenery like this is the norm when crossing the Bolivian Altiplano
Giant cactus on Isla Incahuasi
Giant cactus on Isla Incahuasi (“Home of the Incas”), a rocky island in an ocean of salt
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  1. i remember our 3 day tour into Bolivia via the altiplano…it’s hard not to take good pics with such stunning and varied scenery and landscapes!!! a definite must for people who like a rugged trip and beautiful scenery!! thanks for sharing

  3. So beautiful! I especially liked the first one because it took a while for me to notice the man in the lower left, and when I did, it put the whole scene in scale for me.

    • Glad you noticed Jenna :) I was going to mention the traveler in the caption, but then thought I’d leave it up to readers to find him.

    • Thanks Matt, the first one is my favorite. A little editing in Lightroom brought helped to bring out the green in the lake. And nope, the guy in the white shirt was one of the young British backpackers on my trip.

  6. Those are really great photos Dave and looking at them really makes me want to visit Uyuni again! I also did the three day drive and remember being totally amazing by how diverse the landscapes were. But especially the stone tree and the coral island with the ancient cacti were my absolute favorite… :)

  7. Truly stunning photos Dave! We just finished our Salt Flats tour a couple of days ago and literally have about 1000 and 1 photos to cull down to a respectable amount…going to a be a tough job. Unfortunately we only had an Iphone, really the only time on our trip we wished we had one of those fancy, pro cameras. Oh the memories, will never forget bathing in the hot springs at night with a cold beer watching the clearest night sky I’ve ever seen. Salar de Uyuni…a must do when in Bolivia :)

    • Ah, that sucks. I imagine the wind caused ripples in the lakes, which then affect the quality of reflections?

      Or was it just a lot of sand and salt being blown into your face :)

    • I went on a 3-day tour from San Pedro de Atacama, Chile to Uyuni, Bolivia. The only way you can go yourself is if you have your own 4×4 transport, or you’re bicycling it.

    • Yes, as far as I’m concerned. There were no paved roads where I was taking these photos. You’re driving on dirt, sand, and once you hit the salt flats… salt (with mud underneath). The only vehicles doing tours are SUVs.