Measuring in at 10,582 square kilometers (4,086 sq mi), Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia is the world’s largest natural salt flat and gleams brilliantly white beneath the sun. The crust serves as a source of salt which is exceptionally rich in lithium – indeed some 50 to 70% of the world’s lithium is found here, which is currently in the process of being extracted.
The environmentally conscious green traveler will be impressed to learn that this enormous salt flat is the ideal breeding ground for several species of pink flamingos, which can be seen if you are to be taking a trip there.
To support ecotourism in Uyuni, then you can do no better than sign yourself up for a guided tour with San Jos? Tours, which have been operating for 18 years. They boast vegetarian food as their specialty, and also do not use any middlemen, so you can rest assured that your pennies are pumped straight into the local economy.
Another option is to check out BoliviaBella.com, a hub for all attractions that come under the banner of ecotourism in Bolivia. Bolivia is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet (known as the 10 mega-diverse regions). Here you can go trekking or rafting, take bird watching and wildlife observation tours, visit ancient ruins and even experience living history in towns where time seems to have stopped and people still live in much the same way as they did hundreds of years ago.
Ecotourism is important to Bolivia’s economy and benefits the people who act as your tour guides, and provide your meals, accommodations, and transportation. For some families and entire towns, this is their only source of income, so for every eco-minded traveller, Salar de Uyuni should be at the top of your list.