High in the Andean mountains, on the roof of the world, one of nature’s most spectacular sights awaits your arrival. Laguna Colarada, or the ‘Red Lagoon’, is a bright red hypersaline lake in Bolivia’s Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve. Home to majestic flocks of pink flamingos, the 6000 hectare shallow salt lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountain landscapes, and vast sweeping vistas that will take your breath away.
Located in Bolivia’s south western region of Altiplano, the lake is an important wetlands habitat for several species of flamingo. Attracted to the Laguna Colorada by the abundance of plankton in the salty waters, Andean, Chilean and James’ flamingos use the area as a breeding and nesting ground. In fact, it’s the flamingo’s unique diet of plankton from the salt lakes that partly accounts for the bird’s spectacular pink plumage!
The Bolivian high plains are one of the nation’s top attractions, with visitors exploring the rugged landscapes in guided tours and expeditions to discover some of the world’s most unusual scenery. The high altitude environment provides the perfect backdrop for travelers who prefer to get off the beaten track, where you can spot Andean mountain cats, foxes, llamas, and a range of other birdlife around the scattered salt water flats of the barren desert landscapes.
An essential stop for any Bolivian trip, Laguna Colorada and the nearby town of Uyuni are an exciting destination for outdoorsy couples, solo travelers, and families who want to show their children some of nature’s most stunning wonders.
How to Get to Laguna Colorada, Bolivia
Located high in Bolivia’s mighty mountain plains, getting to Laguna Bolivia is something of an adventure in itself. For international travelers, you’ll need to fly into La Paz, the capital of Bolivia. La Paz’s El Alto International Airport (LPB) services flights from all over the world, with flight times from Europe taking about 15 to 20 hours, and from Northern America around 10 to 12 hours. If you’re taking a long haul flight, you may need to catch at least one connecting flight on route, especially if you’re traveling from outside of the continental Americas.
Once you touch down in La Paz, most people take a domestic flight to Uyuni, which takes about 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can catch an overnight bus which is not as comfortable but is a great option if you’re traveling on a budget. After arriving in Uyuni, the launch point for most visitors to Laguna Colorada and the Altiplano region, you can join a guided tour to get out to the lake.
The Laguna Colorada is a magical, yet remote, site of natural beauty. This means it’s a good idea to visit the lake with an experienced local guide, not only so you don’t get lost, but also because their local knowledge will keep you and your group safe as you travel far out into the desert plains.
What’s the Best Time of Year to Visit Laguna Colorada, Bolivia?
Timing your visit to Laguna Colorada depends on a number of factors. During the Bolivian dry season, which lasts from May through October, the skies are clear and sunny, and daytime temperatures in the highlands range from 15 to 20 Degrees Celsius. The roads of the Altiplano are also much more passable than during the wet season when they get muddy and quite challenging to travel.
During the wet season, which lasts from December to April, the Altiplano experiences sporadic rainfalls, and daytime temperatures that range from about 20 to 22 Degrees Celsius. And while the roads can get pretty muddy, the additional rainfall raises the water levels in Laguna Colorada which attracts larger concentrations of flamingos who feed and nest in the area. You’ll also enjoy dramatic skies reflected in the mirror-like waters of the lakes which make for some superb photo opportunities.
Essentially, Bolivia’s Altiplano is a year round destination although the tourist high season lands in the middle of the dry season, between June and August. So if you’re looking to grab some bargain flights and cheaper hotel prices, then you should avoid these peak months. It’s worth noting that night time temperatures in the high plains of the Andes get very cold all through the year, so always make sure to bring some warm layers on your trip.
What Is There To Do At Laguna Colorada and Uymui, Bolivia?
Explore Laguna Colorada on a 2 Day Guided Tour of Uyuni Salt Flats and Laguna Colorada
The perfect way to explore the Altiplano salt flats and Laguna Colorada is with this guided 2 day excursion. Led by an experienced local guide, and departing from the town of Uyuni, you’ll travel in a comfortable 4×4 vehicle while enjoying the stunning views of the desert landscapes. You’ll stop off at local indigenous villages, visit geysers and hot springs, see the top beauty spots including Incahusasi Island, and explore Laguna Colorada and the nearby multi-coloured lakes. You’ll stay overnight at a lovely hotel in the middle of the desert and have lots of time in the evening to take in the awe-inspiring canopy of glittering stars that light up the clear desert nights like a heavenly chandelier.
Pick up and drop from all Uyuni hotels is included. You can find out more and book your places on this unique 2 day tour of the Uyuni Salt Flats and Laguna Colorada, here.
Join a Star Gazing Night Tour of the Uyuni Salt Flats
This delightful star gazing tour of the Uyuni salt flats sees you explore the enchanting desertscape after dark, illuminated only by the vast sea of stars above. You’ll be picked up in a sturdy 4×4 vehicle from your hotel before setting off to experience the magic of the crystal clear night sky. Ideal for some incredible photography, a romantic evening with a loved one, or simply an opportunity to see a once-in-lifetime view of stars reflecting on the waters of the salt flats below.
The tour includes free bottled water and complementary wine, as well as lots of chances to take some photos that will light up your social media feeds! You can find out more, and book your spot on this magical starlight excursion, here.
Dine at the Restaurant Casa de Sal, Uyuni
No stay in Uyuni would be complete with stopping by the Restaurant Casa de Sal for a delicious meal with your travel partners. Situated in the Casa del Sal Hotel, the restaurant serves a lovely range of local and international cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant caters for vegetarians, and the seasonal menu is always packed full of stand-out chef’s specials. A cozy place for a romantic evening meal, or a family lunch after a morning spent exploring the town, the Casa de Sal is a local favourite, so it’s worth reserving your table in advance!
To find out what’s on the menu, and to book a table at the restaurant, you can contact the Casa de Sala hotel on their official website, here.
Explore the Creepy Train Cemetery of Uyuni
The Train Cemetery is a strangely haunting open-air collection of railcars and locomotives that lay rusting in the desert air. Abandoned in the mid-20th Century after mining operations in the region ground to a halt, the eerie collection of trains have a real Steam Punk vibe and provide a unique backdrop for some pretty unusual photos!
Located about 3km from the center of Uyuni, you can walk to the cemetery in around 40 minutes or jump in a taxi and be there in less than 10 minutes. Definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for something out of the ordinary to do in Uyuni, and a popular stop for photographers!
You can get an idea of what to expect at the Train Cemetery, here.
Stay at the Coscaña Uyuni Hotel, Uyuni, Bolivia
This charming hotel in central Uyuni is ideally situated for your visit to Laguna Colorada and Bolivia’s enchanting Altiplano. Offering a good range of rooms at moderate prices, with air conditioning, private en suite bathrooms, free toiletries, a TV with multiple channels, free WiFi and a 24 hour front desk service. Family rooms and doubles are available, all of which have en suite and full mod cons.
You can start each day with an American buffet breakfast before heading out to start your explorations of the area. Located just 2 km from the Uyuni airport, the hotel is your perfect home from home in the high plains of Bolivia’s dramatic Andean scenery.
You can find out more, and book your room at the Coscaña Uyuni Hotel, here.
