Weather in Uyuni

Bolivia's location in the southern hemisphere near the equator makes its seasons just the opposite of that of the northern hemisphere. The climate of Uyuni, however, is much colder than tourists might expect. The peaks of the Andes are never free of snow and temperatures range between 55 degrees Fahrenheit in January to 40 degrees Fahrenheit in July. At night, the temperature in Uyuni drops well below freezing point all year round. Additionally, the strong winds can raise a dust storm and make the dry air rather uncomfortable at times.

To get an idea of the climate in Uyuni, try mentioning Uyuni to a Bolivian. He will whistle and say "harto frío", which means "extreme cold"! Indeed, chilly winds and harsh temperatures characterise the southern Antiplano. Thus, the best months to visit the Salar de Uyuni would be August, September and October, when the worst of the winter chills have passed and the summer rains are yet to begin. Between May and early July, the stiff winds bring down the wind chill temperature at night to as low as -40 °C. While the summer is warmer, for an arid area, the region experiences quite a bit of rainfall between the months of November and March. No matter which time of the year one is visiting Uyuni, travellers always need protection against sun, wind and cold.