The Salt Hotels

In the 1980s there was a hotel, made entirely out of salt, right in the middle of the Salar. Unfortunately, it couldn't be properly plumbed and this caused all sorts of trouble, so it's now just a vacant building. Luckily, two new salt hotels have been built closer to Uyuni (and with fully functioning facilities) so the chance to experience sleeping on a bed made of salt, between 4 salt wall with a salt bedside table hasn't been lost.

The Palacio de Sal (Salt Palace) was constructed in 2007 entirely out of 14 inch blocks of salt. As well as salt walls, floors, tables and chairs, they also have a number of eerie salt sculptures throughout the hotel.

The Hostel de Sal (Salt Hostel) is a new age dream. Built according to Feng Shui principles, they have a different animal of the Aymaran Zodiac carved into the salt headboards of each bed. From the air it is said to look like three coca leaves.

Both hotels offer an all-luxury experience with private bathrooms, hot water and restaurants. As well as being included on most tours of the Salar, they run their own for guests. Prices vary throughout the year, so check the hotels' websites.

A strict 'don't lick the walls' policy is enforced in both hotels to prevent the buildings collapsing.

How To Get There:

The only way to get to the salt hotels if they aren't a stop on your tour is to arrange for them to pick you up from Uyuni. They are both happy to do this and charge about US $10.