The Amazing Bolivian Salt Hotel

Salar de Uyuni from space

In Bolivia near the Chilean border, the salt hotel can be found in the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat in the world. The satellite image above shows Salar de Uyuni from space, surrounding Mount Tunupa. At 10,582 km² (4,085 square miles), it is 25 times the size of the Bonneville Salt Flats in the United States. Near Uyuni is the smaller salt desert Salar de Coipasa and two lakes, Poopó Lake and Uru Uru Lake. About 40,000 years ago, the entire area was covered by Lake Minchin, a giant prehistoric lake.

Salt piles

Only about 25,000 tons of the 10 billion tons of available salt is extracted from Salar de Uyuni each year. Major minerals found are gypsum and halite, and half of the world's lithium can also be found here. Visitors of the Playa Blanca can expect to see huge piles of salt like these outside the hotel's windows.

Featuring a bar, living room, dining room and 15 bedrooms, the hotel provides tourists with a unique living experience. Visitors can lounge on salted stools and a picnic table by the 'pool' to soak in the view.

Close up of salt bricks

The building is built of salt blocks fused together by a mixture of water and of course, salt, which creates a strong, cement-like substance.

Inside the Salt Hotel, you'll find yourself in a cozy, salty space.

A hallway inside the Salt Hotel, leading to its cozy rooms.

When the flats aren't covered in water, visitors can take walks with salt crunching underfoot.

And when the salt flats are covered in water, beautiful reflections are seen.

Interested in learning more about Uyuni and its surrounding area? Visit one of the highest lakes on earth, Laguna Colorada, or check out old locomotives at a giant train graveyard.

Sources: 1, 2, 3

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