I decided I wanted to spend my 26th birthday in Bolivia — specifically the Salar de Uyuni. The Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat at over 10,000 square kilometers. It was one of my favorite trips I’ve ever taken, and I have (literally) hundreds of photos of the salt flats. Here are my top 20 favorites from this past week. If you have an opportunity to visit, make sure you take advantage of it! This is one site that should absolutely be on a list of natural wonders. 

Top 20 Photos from Bolivia 

We spent a total of two weeks in Bolivia. During this time, we visited the Salar de Uyuni, La Paz, and Lake Titicaca. Each location was drastically different, which kept each day exciting. Compared to some other cities in South America like Sao Paolo and Montevideo, Bolivia’s cities and towns are clearly still developing. There’s a lot of poverty, and although I’m not sure there’s a clear correlation, culture. 

The more I travel, the more I notice that countries that are less developed seem to have a better grip on their cultural roots. In Bolivia, there were still ethnic groups wearing their cultural dress and cultural events like Cholita wrestling, which you couldn’t have found in other South American countries. 

My Perfect Bolivia Itinerary 

I’d love to visit Bolivia again in about 20 years. It’s a spot I envision returning to as an adult after I’ve had children (although, I’m not sure whether I’d make it a family destination). Here’s how I would plan my return trip. 

• 2 days in La Paz to adjust to the altitude 
• 3 days on the Salar de Uyuni during a new moon + rainy season 
• 2 days on Lake Titicaca (Copacabana) if there was an easier way to get there

If you loved seeing my travels through photos, check out My Favorite Hawaii Photos.