When to go · Uyuni
Uyuni in January
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Jan–Mar (rain and mud; the mirror effect is spectacular but tours reroute), Jun–Jul nights (well below freezing).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) / 4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 14
- Crowds
- Medium
- Bolivia overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Bolivia overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Jan–Mar (rain and mud; the mirror effect is spectacular but tours reroute), Jun–Jul nights (well below freezing).
Is another month better than January?
January is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- MayGreatInside Uyuni's best window: May–Oct (dry season, clear skies, cold nights).
- JuneGreatInside Uyuni's best window: May–Oct (dry season, clear skies, cold nights).
- JulyGreatInside Uyuni's best window: May–Oct (dry season, clear skies, cold nights).
- AugustGreatInside Uyuni's best window: May–Oct (dry season, clear skies, cold nights).
Weather in January
- UyuniHighs around 20 °C (68 °F), lows around 4 °C (39 °F), rain on about 14 daysHighs around 68 °F (20 °C), lows around 39 °F (4 °C), rain on about 14 days
- Uyuni and the southwest, Bolivia · Salar de Uyuni, Eduardo Avaroa reserverainy
Mirror effect in the rains (roughly Jan–Mar) but some routes flood; Jun–Aug nights reach −20 °C (−4 °F) at the lagoons.Mirror effect in the rains (roughly Jan–Mar) but some routes flood; Jun–Aug nights reach −4 °F (−20 °C) at the lagoons.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Bolivia overall
- Medium
- Prices · Bolivia overall
- Medium
Bolivia overall: Rainy season: Uyuni mirror starts; lowland floods; Alasitas fair in La Paz (24 Jan).
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Uyuni, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Avoid
May: Great (better)
Daytime high
Jan: 20 °C (68 °F)68 °F (20 °C)
May: 19 °C (66 °F)66 °F (19 °C)
Night low
Jan: 4 °C (39 °F)39 °F (4 °C)
May: -4 °C (25 °F)25 °F (-4 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 14
May: 1 (better)
Crowds
Jan: Medium
May: Medium
Prices
Jan: Medium
May: Medium
Festivals listed
Jan: 0
May: 0
January: Listed as a month to avoid: Jan–Mar (rain and mud; the mirror effect is spectacular but tours reroute), Jun–Jul nights (well below freezing).
May: Inside Uyuni's best window: May–Oct (dry season, clear skies, cold nights).
Uyuni: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast