The only real attraction in Uyuni, Cementerio de Trenes is a rusty collection of historic steam locomotives and rail cars dating back to the 19th century,…
© James Strachan / Getty Images
Uyuni
Standing in defiance of the desert-like landscape that surrounds it, Uyuni occupies a desolate corner of southwestern Bolivia. Mention Uyuni to a Bolivian and they will whistle and emphasize harto frío (extreme cold). Yet despite the icy conditions, the town has a cheerful buzz about it, with hundreds of travelers passing through every week to kick off their tour of Salar de Uyuni or the Southwest Circuit.
Founded in 1889 by Bolivian president Aniceto Arce, Uyuni remains an important military base. Tourism and mining are the other major sources of employment in the town. The world’s largest lithium reserve – about 100 million tons – lies beneath the neighboring salt flat, and could potentially fuel all the smart phones and electric cars the world could build over the next century. While work on building extraction and processing facilities has been proceeding slowly, expect more and more mining activity near Uyuni in the coming years.
Explore Uyuni
- CCementerio de Trenes
The only real attraction in Uyuni, Cementerio de Trenes is a rusty collection of historic steam locomotives and rail cars dating back to the 19th century,…
- MMuseo Ferrocarril
Serious trainspotters might want to take a look inside this huge hangar of a museum, which houses several salt-crusted train engines and carriages. It's…
- MMuseo Arqueología y Antropológico de los Andes Meridionales
A small museum featuring mummies, long skulls, fossils, ceramics and textiles. There are Spanish descriptions of the practices of cranial deformation. At…
- CClock Tower
This European-style clock tower was built in 1930 with a clock mechanism that was imported from Germany. You can find the tourist police office here.
- MMonumento a Los Héroes del Chaco
This monument is dedicated to the fallen in the brutal Chaco War.
- SStranded Locomotive
This rusty old carriage is located near the train station.
- WWorkers' Monument
This local landmark pays homage to the common man.
- CChurch
The simple church on Colón is a local landmark.
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Uyuni.
See
Cementerio de Trenes
The only real attraction in Uyuni, Cementerio de Trenes is a rusty collection of historic steam locomotives and rail cars dating back to the 19th century,…
See
Museo Ferrocarril
Serious trainspotters might want to take a look inside this huge hangar of a museum, which houses several salt-crusted train engines and carriages. It's…
See
Museo Arqueología y Antropológico de los Andes Meridionales
A small museum featuring mummies, long skulls, fossils, ceramics and textiles. There are Spanish descriptions of the practices of cranial deformation. At…
See
Clock Tower
This European-style clock tower was built in 1930 with a clock mechanism that was imported from Germany. You can find the tourist police office here.
See
Monumento a Los Héroes del Chaco
This monument is dedicated to the fallen in the brutal Chaco War.
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