Laguna Colorada

Bolivia's most remarkable natural wonders include the stunning Salar de Uyuni salt flats and the mind-blowing Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon). It's easy to see why when you consider its beauty, oddity, and breathtaking environment. Only one meter deep, the lake's water wonderfully alternates between deep blue and dark red. Despite popular belief that the water is the blood of gods, red sediments and algae in the lake are what give it its gory red hue.

The 6000-hectare Laguna Colorada is near the Chilean border and is situated there. White borax islands, whose hue contrasts with the water, are scattered across the lagoon. Photographers from all over the world scramble to capture the scene created by the many hues of the lake, the brilliant blue sky, and the far-off snow-capped Andes mountains.

Observing the flocks of flamingos that congregate here is one of Laguna Colorado's main draws. Due to the lake's rich plankton population, three of the world's six species of flamingo can be found here. Here you can find the largest population of the extremely uncommon James' Flamingo. Amazingly, until a small population was recovered in 1956, it was even believed that the James' Flamingo had gone extinct. Despite their abundance here, they are nonetheless considered to be an endangered species since they are constantly under attack. The Chilean and Andean flamingo species are the other two you'll encounter in this area.

Location: Potosí, Bolivia