Island of the Fish, Rock island in Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Island of the Fish, also known as Isla del Pescado, is a rocky outcrop that rises from the surface of the Salar de Uyuni salt flat in Bolivia, covered with giant cacti. It sits near the center of the salt flat, making it one of the most isolated points in the entire expanse.
Millions of years ago, this area was covered by a vast prehistoric lake, and the rock that forms the island was once a coral reef beneath its waters. As the lake dried up over time, the reef was left exposed, gradually taking the form visible today.
The island is part of a network of rocky outcrops across the salt flats that Aymara communities of the region regard as sacred landmarks. Fossils of ancient sea creatures are visible in the rock surface, and many visitors are surprised to find them here, in the middle of a salt desert.
The island is only accessible by crossing the salt flat, typically on a guided tour that departs from Uyuni or nearby Tahua. Bring warm layers and sun protection, as the altitude keeps temperatures low and the open white surface reflects a lot of light.
The giant cacti growing on the island develop at an extremely slow pace, with some of the tallest ones estimated to be over a thousand years old. A walk among them means passing alongside living organisms that were already old when many European cathedrals were being built.
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