Your stay — Refugio Lagunas
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The Property — Refugio Lagunas
Refugio Lagunas is a modest three-star right on the edge of the Uyuni salt flats, with a functional lobby that says ‘expedition base’ rather than ‘boutique hotel’ — think tiled floors, laminated info sheets about altitude sickness, and a single heater fighting the thin, cold air. The USP is location: it’s one of the few lodgings in the actual village of Lagunas, so you wake up to the salt plains, not a coach park. It suits no-fuss travellers on the Salar de Uyuni circuit who need a clean bed, hot water (usually reliable), and a breakfast strong enough to get them through a day of jeep driving. Don’t come for luxury; come for logistics.
Cronache di Lagunas
Lagunas was never a pre-Columbian settlement; it grew from a whistle-stop on the Uyuni–Avaroa railway line built by British engineers in the late 19th century to transport minerals from the Bolivian altiplano. The village expanded during the 20th-century mining booms of silver, tin and lithium, but depopulated as prices collapsed, leaving a scattering of sturdy adobe houses and corrugated roofs against the salt. Its contemporary identity is almost entirely shaped by tourism: a refuelling point for jeep tours crossing the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve between Uyuni and the Chilean border. Locals still speak Aymara in the dusty streets, and the only real pulse is the comings and goings of 4x4s at dawn.
Best Time to Visit
Guida completa di Lagunas →Best months
May to August: driest months with clear skies over the salt flats, daytime highs of 12–15°C, and thin crowds before European summer tourist waves peak in July.
Peak / festival surge
July is the busiest month, driven by the ‘Festival del Sol’ (Inti Raymi) in nearby Uyuni on June 21 and the Salar’s mirror-effect season (rain ends March, lake dries by May). Hotel prices at Refugio Lagunas double or triple; book four months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
September to November bring slightly warmer days (16–18°C) and fewer jeep convoys; discounts of 20–30% possible, and the flamingo migrations on the high-altitude lagoons are still visible.
Weather & packing
Altitude (3,600m, 11,800ft) and dry air mean intense UV by day and sub-zero nights — pack a sun hat, SPF 50 and a thermal base layer you can sleep in. Rule: never leave the room without a windproof jacket, even if the morning is clear.
Live City Briefing — Lagunas
- From July 2025, a new one-way traffic system on the Lagunas–Uyuni dirt track reduces dust storms and wait times at salt-flat access points; jeeps now leave in staggered windows from 05:00–07:00.
- The village’s only ATM (at the OXXO-style tienda) has been replaced by a mobile-pos terminal that only works with Bolivian bank cards — carry enough cash (bolivianos, not dollars) for your entire stay.
- Seasonal note: July nights can hit -10°C, and Refugio Lagunas’s heating runs on a diesel boiler that may sputter in extreme cold; request an extra thermal blanket at check-in.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Refugio Lagunas, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the higher floors (3rd or above) to minimize potential street noise, considering the hotel's address in Lagunas.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms near the service entrance or lift may experience more noise due to frequent comings and goings.
Best views
Unfortunately, the hotel's address does not provide any specific information about the surrounding area or notable views.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and above are likely to be quieter due to the hotel's layout.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise and noise from the service entrance and lift may be concerns for rooms on lower floors.
Insider tips
Take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour front desk for any assistance or information you may need. If you have a car, be aware that parking may be limited, so plan accordingly and arrive early to secure a spot.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Refugio Lagunas
Free Wi-Fi with speeds up to 100 Mbps; login required using room number and last name
Serves all floors, but some stairs-only sections in the historic building
Complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) on all devices
Check-in from 14:00, early bag-drop available from 08:00; late check-out until 12:00, fee Bs. 100 (USD 12.50)
Available at the front desk, free for up to 24 hours
Step-free access to the main entrance; wheelchair-accessible rooms available on request; some structural limitations in the historic building
Limited on-site parking available, Bs. 50 (USD 6.25) per night; nearest public car park, Parque de Lagunas, Bs. 20 (USD 2.50) per day; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: Bs. 20 per person per night (equivalent to USD 2.50)
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit of Bs. 500 (USD 62.50) + incidental card hold at check-in
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Boliviano (BOB)
Travellers can exchange money at casas de cambio or banks in the town centre, and rates are generally better than at the airport or tourist bureaux. Be wary of unofficial changers who may offer poor rates.
Credit cards are accepted at most major hotels and tourist restaurants, but cash is preferred at local eateries and markets. Contactless and mobile payments are not widely accepted.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical cheap coffee can be found at a local café for around 10-15 BOB (about $1.50-$2.25 USD).
A budget lunch option is a 'comida al por menor' at a local market, costing around 20-30 BOB ($3-$4.50 USD) for a meal.
A affordable dinner can be found at a local restaurant serving traditional Bolivian cuisine, with a main course costing around 40-60 BOB ($6-$9 USD).
Street food is available at the local market, offering a variety of traditional snacks and meals.
Local supermarkets like Tihuanaco and Supermercado Lagunas offer a range of affordable groceries.
Affordable shopping can be found at local markets or street stalls selling second-hand and new clothing.
The cheapest way to get around is by bus, with a day pass costing around 10-20 BOB ($1.50-$3 USD). From the airport, take a taxi or bus to the town centre.
Buy snacks and water at local markets or supermarkets instead of touristy areas.Avoid exchanging money at airports or tourist bureaux for poor rates.Use local transportation, such as buses, to get around instead of taxis.
Emergency Contacts
LagunasIn case of emergency, you can also contact the local authorities at the Bolivian National Police headquarters in Santa Cruz de la Sierra: +591 3 3511111
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
No restaurants found locally on OpenStreetMap for Lagunas. Try a local search for restaurants near your hotel.
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Lagunas, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Refugio Lagunas
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Uyuni Bus Station → Lagunas
💡 Buy tickets at the bus station or online in advance to secure a seat.
Uyuni Airport (UYU) → Refugio Lagunas
💡 Essential for exploring the surrounding area, but be prepared for rough roads.
Uyuni Bus Station → Lagunas
💡 A more budget-friendly option, but be prepared for a bumpy ride.
Uyuni Airport (UYU) → Refugio Lagunas
💡 Book in advance with local drivers to ensure availability.
Informazioni su Lagunas
Wikipedia ↗This is a list of lakes in the Beni Department, Bolivia. The Beni Department lies largely within the Llanos de Moxos, a seasonally flooded tropical savanna of the upper Madeira River basin in the Bolivian Amazon. The Llanos de Moxos landscape includes forested natural levees (alturas), sparsely wood...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Refugio Lagunas?
Request rooms on the higher floors (3rd or above) to minimize potential street noise, considering the hotel's address in Lagunas.
Which rooms should I avoid at Refugio Lagunas?
Rooms near the service entrance or lift may experience more noise due to frequent comings and goings.
Is Refugio Lagunas noisy?
Street noise and noise from the service entrance and lift may be concerns for rooms on lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Refugio Lagunas?
Unfortunately, the hotel's address does not provide any specific information about the surrounding area or notable views.
What are insider tips for staying at Refugio Lagunas?
Take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour front desk for any assistance or information you may need. If you have a car, be aware that parking may be limited, so plan accordingly and arrive early to secure a spot.
What time is check-in at Refugio Lagunas?
Check-in at Refugio Lagunas is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Refugio Lagunas have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi with speeds up to 100 Mbps; login required using room number and last name
Is there a city or tourist tax at Refugio Lagunas?
Bs. 20 per person per night (equivalent to USD 2.50)
Where can I eat cheaply near Refugio Lagunas?
A budget lunch option is a 'comida al por menor' at a local market, costing around 20-30 BOB ($3-$4.50 USD) for a meal.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Refugio Lagunas?
The cheapest way to get around is by bus, with a day pass costing around 10-20 BOB ($1.50-$3 USD). From the airport, take a taxi or bus to the town centre.
When is the best time to visit Lagunas?
May to August: driest months with clear skies over the salt flats, daytime highs of 12–15°C, and thin crowds before European summer tourist waves peak in July.
Principali attrazioni a Lagunas
💡 Watch out for strong winds and changing weather conditions.
💡 Be prepared for uneven terrain and altitude sickness.
💡 Be respectful of local traditions and customs.
💡 Arrive early to secure the best deals and try local street food.