Van-Laza Blogs

It is no secret that here at Lonely Planet we like to travel. We all develop weaknesses to certain destinations, so this week we are highlighting the places that the Lonely love Planetary.

Today, Lonely Planet developer Jerome Paul shares his love for Bolivia – especially in the Salar de Uyuni (Salar de Uyuni) – and throws in some handy travel tips as well.

Why did you choose to go to Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia?
Customs of Peru had only a tourist visa 20 days, so after finishing the Sacred Valley there were about five days to divide the country or start paying fines. I was so happy because I wanted to be in San Pedro de Atacama to Año Nuevo (New Year) and visa issues gave me an excuse to get rid of my other plans. Cuzco, a native of San Pedro road passes by Lake Titicaca in Bolivia, then to the salt flats of Uyuni and South. So I had the perfect excuse to be part of this little adventure.

What do you expect of salt and there to meet your expectations?
I expected a massive expansion of white hot sun, but we arrived the next day it rained and instead of a salt that we were looking at this very flat, smooth lake stretches as far as the eye can see in all directions. Mountains and clouds reflected perfectly in the water and the horizon heaven and earth mixed together. Truly a different world and completely exceeded my expectations. A highlight of my trip.

What was the best I’ve seen, the best thing you ate, and the best that I heard them say?
The salt is all about opinions, but I got on an island in the swamps and the thought “of these rocks seem so familiar. But I could not where I had seen before. Finally, I realized I was standing on fossilized coral and I at least 3500 m over sea level. My mind went blank trying to find out how old this place should be.

The best thing I ate was the home kitchen of Quechua women we had with us.

The best I’ve heard someone say, is when our driver stopped at a house just before leaving the flooded salt. He said he needed protection for the radiator. A few moments later returned – with twigs for playing in front of the bullbar!

What advice would you give to a traveler for the first time in Uyuni?
Here are two tips:

1) All buses to Uyuni to La Paz are rubbish. It is primarily a hilly land through a desert and bloody cold at night – despite the promise of heating on the Board. So no matter what the ticket seller, said family and take his sleeping bag on the bus cabin. I was so cold that the ideas and in the cradle and the man next to me in Canada were more attractive than I care to admit …Seriously, take a sleeping bag.

2) The bus from Uyuni at 8 am and visitors do not leave until 10:30, so if you’re fleet of foot, may begin in Uyuni and visit the same day. You save one days should not pay for housing – and really not much to do in the city of Uyuni.

What would you do differently if I had to go again?
Overall, I do nothing different, but the last day because I was in Chile’s position and not return to Uyuni. I embarked on another car and everything happened so fast that I completely forgot to tip my driver. I feel a little bad because it was a good guy, not drinking, was happy to leave when we called and drove about the same speed as my grandfather. This provides an unexpected trip safe …

He has traveled Jerome’s Got You thinking of a trip of your own? Download the latest in South America with a limited budget and start planning!