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.

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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.

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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.
Camper Elegance Uyuni

Camper Elegance Uyuni

2 out of 5
Salar de Uyuni Colchani Departamento de Potosí
The price is NZ$1,040 per night from 16 Feb to 17 Feb
NZ$1,040
16 Feb - 17 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 NZ$269 per night from 18 Feb to 19 Feb
NZ$269
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
Coscaña Uyuni Hotel

Coscaña Uyuni Hotel

3 out of 5
Av. Avaroa Uyuni Departamento de Potosí
Stay at this hotel in Uyuni. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Markets and Pulacayo are located nearby.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (25 reviews)
Staff was very helpful.

Reviewed on 22 Jan 2026

Coscaña Uyuni Hotel
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.
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
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
White Diamond in the middle of Uyuni salt flats Bolivia

White Diamond in the middle of Uyuni salt flats Bolivia

Uyuni Departamento de Potosí
Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities and balconies. Popular attractions Archaeology and Anthropology Museum of the Southern Andes and Clock Tower are located ...
White Diamond in the middle of Uyuni salt flats Bolivia
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.