Colchani Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

The South American Puna Flamingo is also known as James's Flamingo (so named for Harry Berkeley James) and Lesser Andean Flamingo. It received its common name "Puna" from its natural habitat - "puna" is the local word for high Andean plateau. The flamingo's characteristic pink / salmon-colored plumage is caused by their beta carotene-rich diet. The Puna Flamingos occur on the high Andean plateaus of Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina where they usually occur at altitudes of over 3,000 m (9,900 ft). Together with the other South American flamingos -- namely the Andean Flamingos and Chilean Flamingos, they inhabit salt lakes and lagoons in the Andean mountains, After the breeding season, most migrate to lower attitudes for the winter. Some remain at lakes near hot springs. #LikeALocal
The South American Puna Flamingo is also known as James's Flamingo (so named for Harry Berkeley James) and Lesser Andean Flamingo. It received its common name "Puna" from its natural habitat - "puna" is the local word for high Andean plateau. The flamingo's characteristic pink / salmon-colored plumage is caused by their beta carotene-rich diet. The Puna Flamingos occur on the high Andean plateaus of Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina where they usually occur at altitudes of over 3,000 m (9,900 ft). Together with the other South American flamingos -- namely the Andean Flamingos and Chilean Flamingos, they inhabit salt lakes and lagoons in the Andean mountains, After the breeding season, most migrate to lower attitudes for the winter. Some remain at lakes near hot springs. #LikeALocal
The only salt-making facilities using salt from the Salar de Uyuni are located in Colchani – a cooperative joint-owned by all salt workers. There is an estimated 10 billion tonnes of salt contained in the Salar de Uyuni, with around 25,000 tonnes excavated and processed at Colchani annually. They scrape salt off the salar into pyramid-shaped piles and leave it to dry in the sun. Once dry (after 4 days or so) the salt is shoveled into trucks and carted to Colchani to be processed. It is cooked in ovens to dry further, then iodine is added and the mixture milled before being sealed into 1 kilogram sacks. The final product – table salt – is sold by the cooperative in Bolivia and Brazil.

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Camper Elegance Uyuni

Camper Elegance Uyuni

2 out of 5
Salar de Uyuni Colchani Departamento de Potosí
The price is AU$888 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
AU$888
22 Feb - 23 Feb
Stay at this tentalow in Colchani. Enjoy free breakfast and daily housekeeping.
Camper Elegance Uyuni
Hotel Jardines de Uyuni

Hotel Jardines de Uyuni

3.5 out of 5
Av. Potosi 113 Uyuni
The price is AU$228 per night from 18 Feb to 19 Feb
AU$228
18 Feb - 19 Feb
Stay at this hotel in Uyuni. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions Museo ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (305 reviews)
The front desk clerk was very helpful and delightful. I am sorry I do not remember her name.

Reviewed on 19 Jan 2026

Hotel Jardines de Uyuni
Hotel Palacio de Sal

Hotel Palacio de Sal

4.5 out of 5
Orillas del Salar de Uyuni Uyuni
The price is AU$578 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
AU$578
1 Mar - 2 Mar
Stay at this luxury hotel in Uyuni. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews.
8.8/10 Excellent! (168 reviews)
The staff is amazing; they have a doctor on-site who helped us with altitude sickness and dehydration! The hotel is a dream. The spa was relaxing. Food is delicious.

Reviewed on 5 Dec 2025

Hotel Palacio de Sal
See all 50 properties in Colchani
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Enjoyable 2-bedroom apartment with WiFi in Uyuni

Enjoyable 2-bedroom apartment with WiFi in Uyuni

Uyuni Departamento de Potosí
Stay at this apartment in Uyuni. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Archaeology and Anthropology Museum of the ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
M
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Reviewed on 20 May 2025

Enjoyable 2-bedroom apartment with WiFi in Uyuni
CABAÑAS SAL Y PIEDRA (perfect lodging in the city of UYUNI )

CABAÑAS SAL Y PIEDRA (perfect lodging in the city of UYUNI )

Uyuni Departamento de Potosí
Stay at this apartment in Uyuni. Popular attractions Museo de Trenes and Plaza Arce are located nearby.
CABAÑAS SAL Y PIEDRA (perfect lodging in the city of UYUNI )
THE LITTLE HOUSE APARTHOTEL

THE LITTLE HOUSE APARTHOTEL

2 out of 5
Colón Uyuni Departamento de Potosí
Stay at this aparthotel in Uyuni. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and housekeeping. Popular attractions Archaeology and Anthropology Museum of the Southern ...
THE LITTLE HOUSE APARTHOTEL
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Cities near Colchani

Uyuni showing landscape views and tranquil scenes

Uyuni