Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2018]

Traveling to Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia? If you're planning to go to Salar de Uyuni, here is some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack:

When to go to Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Based on the climate and weather in Salar de Uyuni, the best time to go is May. See below for details.

What to wear/what to pack for Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia by month

January

January is cool. Temperatures average in the high 40s F (single digits C), with daytime temperatures significantly higher. There is frost about a third of the time. It rains about half of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

Rain coat
Waterproof luggage
Dresses
Socks
Light jacket or fleece
Long sleeve shirts or blouses
Waterproof footwear
Pants or jeans
Umbrella
Long skirts
Standard footwear

February

February in Salar de Uyuni is cool. Temperatures average in the high 40s F (single digits C), with daytime temperatures significantly higher. There is frost regularly. It rains about half of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

Dresses
Pants or jeans
Long skirts
Long sleeve shirts or blouses
Socks
Umbrella
Waterproof luggage
Rain coat
Light jacket or fleece
Waterproof footwear
Standard footwear

March

If you are traveling to Salar de Uyuni in March, you will notice that it is crisp. Expect it to rain a bit less than half of the time.

Average temperatures (including nighttime) are in the high 40s F (single digits C). There is frost about a third of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

Dresses
Waterproof luggage
Long skirts
Socks
Rain coat
Standard footwear
Light jacket or fleece
Umbrella
Long sleeve shirts or blouses
Waterproof footwear
Pants or jeans

April

If you are traveling to Salar de Uyuni in April, you will notice that it is pretty cool. Expect it to rain occasionally.

Average temperatures (including nighttime) are in the 40s F (single digits C). There is frost about half of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

Waterproof luggage
Umbrella
Light gloves or mittens
Fleeces
Warm pants or jeans
Waterproof footwear
Jacket or coat
Rain coat
Socks
Standard footwear

May

Traveling to Salar de Uyuni in May, you will notice that it can be very chilly. Average temperatures (including nighttime) are in the low 40s F (single digits C). There is frost most days.

What to wear/what to pack:

Light gloves or mittens
Standard footwear
Socks
Fleeces
Jacket or coat
Warm pants or jeans

June

June in Salar de Uyuni is brisk. Temperatures average in the high 30s F (single digits C), with daytime temperatures significantly higher. There is frost most days.

What to wear/what to pack:

Light gloves or mittens
Socks
Jacket or coat
Standard footwear
Warm pants or jeans
Fleeces

July

If you are traveling to Salar de Uyuni in July, you will notice that it is pretty cool. Average temperatures (including nighttime) are in the high 30s F (single digits C). There is frost most days.

What to wear/what to pack:

Warm pants or jeans
Sweaters
Heavy jacket
Cold weather footwear
Heavy socks
Gloves or mittens

August

Traveling to Salar de Uyuni in August, you will notice that it is brisk. Average temperatures (including nighttime) are in the high 30s F (single digits C). There is frost most days.

What to wear/what to pack:

Standard footwear
Light gloves or mittens
Jacket or coat
Fleeces
Warm pants or jeans
Socks

September

September can be very chilly. Temperatures average in the low 40s F (single digits C), with daytime temperatures significantly higher. There is frost about two thirds of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

Standard footwear
Jacket or coat
Light gloves or mittens
Socks
Warm pants or jeans
Fleeces

October

Traveling to Salar de Uyuni in October, you will notice that it is cold. Expect it to rain sometimes. Average temperatures (including nighttime) are in the 40s F (single digits C). There is frost about half of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

Warm pants or jeans
Waterproof footwear
Umbrella
Rain coat
Fleeces
Jacket or coat
Light gloves or mittens
Standard footwear
Socks
Waterproof luggage

November

November in Salar de Uyuni is chilly. Temperatures average in the high 40s F (single digits C), with daytime temperatures significantly higher. There is frost 5-10 days this month. It rains once in a while.

What to wear/what to pack:

Long sleeve shirts or blouses
Umbrella
Waterproof luggage
Long skirts
Dresses
Rain coat
Standard footwear
Socks
Light jacket or fleece
Pants or jeans
Waterproof footwear

December

If you are traveling to Salar de Uyuni in December, you will notice that it is relatively cool. Expect it to rain about half of the time.

Average temperatures (including nighttime) are in the high 40s F (single digits C). There is frost a bit less than half of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

Light jacket or fleece
Waterproof footwear
Waterproof luggage
Long skirts
Long sleeve shirts or blouses
Dresses
Socks
Umbrella
Pants or jeans
Standard footwear
Rain coat

Year-round what to wear/what to pack for Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Here are some general tips on what to wear in Salar de Uyuni, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there. Salar de Uyuni is at a very high altitude, and may result in altitude sickness.

For that reason, you will want to pack strong altitude sickness prevention products and treatments.

Consider asking your doctor about Diamox
Oximeter to check blood oxygen
Ibuprofen
Ginko biloba or other supplements (ask your doctor)
A plug adadpter that supports outlet types A and C
A SIM card that works in Salar de Uyuni
If you plan to visit a church, make sure to bring appropriate clothing
Appropriate museum wear
Bicycle friendly attire, if you plan on biking anywhere

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