Uyuni Salt Flats in November

Dry season (May to October) gives you the classic white desert experience. The salt hardens into those geometric patterns, making it safe to drive across. Temperatures hit 70°F during the day but drop to 5°F at night. August brings the clearest skies but also the biggest crowds. Wet season (December to March) creates the mirror effect that breaks Instagram. But tours get cancelled frequently due to flooding, and you can't access some areas. The water reflects perfectly only when there's no wind — which happens maybe 30% of the time. April and November offer the best compromise. You might catch some mirror effect from lingering water, but roads remain passable. Crowds thin out, and prices drop. Avoid June through August if you hate cold — nighttime temperatures regularly hit -10°F. And don't come during Bolivian winter holidays (July) unless you book months ahead. The few hotels fill up fast.