Bolivia (Uyuni Salt Flats)

The Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats) are a 10,582-square-kilometer expanse of white salt in southwestern Bolivia. It's one of the most surreal landscapes on Earth — completely flat, completely white, completely empty. When there's a thin layer of water, the ground becomes a mirror, reflecting the sky. Tours involve 4x4 vehicles, camping in the salt flats, visiting flamingo-filled lakes, and witnessing a landscape that doesn't feel like Earth.

A 3-day tour costs $150–250 all-inclusive (vehicle, guide, accommodation in salt hotels, meals, activities). It's the bargain version of scenery that typically costs $1,000+ in other parts of the world. The tour is physically demanding (high altitude, bumpy roads) and not luxurious, but the experience is genuinely otherworldly.

Bolivia overall is extremely cheap — meals cost $2–5, accommodation $10–20, and there's plenty to do beyond the salt flats. The country is less touristy than Peru or Chile, which means lower prices and more local interaction.

Uyuni Salt Flats 3-day tour: Vehicle, guide, accommodation in salt hotel, meals, visit to lagoons and flamingos. $150–250 depending on season and tour operator. Book in Uyuni town (La Paz is too far).

Laguna Cejar: A saltwater lagoon where you float (brine level keeps you buoyant). Not on basic tours but worth adding. $20–30 extra.

Flamingo lakes: Pink flamingos in turquoise lakes surrounded by volcanoes and salt flats. Included in most tours. Surreal.

La Paz city exploration: High-altitude capital with colonial architecture, markets, and llama fetishes. Free to walk, $3–5 for museums. 1–2 days enough.

Budget:: Hostel in Uyuni before/after tour. Dorms $8–12, privates $20–30. Tour provides salt hotel accommodation (basic, but memorable).

Mid-Range:: Nicer hotel in La Paz. $30–50/night.

Splurge:: Luxury salt hotel (Explora or similar) $80+/night, or La Paz luxury hotels $60–100/night.

Lunch en route (on tour): Bread, cheese, hard-boiled eggs, instant soup. Basic fuel. Included in tour price.

Saltena: A Bolivian pastry filled with meat or cheese, eaten for breakfast. $1–1.50.

Quinoa soup: Traditional Andean grain soup, warming and nutritious. $2–3.

Alpaca steak: Lean, tender red meat, grilled or stewed. Andean specialty. $4–7.

Fresh fruit juice: Mango, passion fruit, or papaya, freshly squeezed. Street vendor, $0.50–1.