Travellers visiting Salinas de Garci Mendoza learn about the fascinating civilization that produced the citadel of Alcaya, one of the most important pre-Hispanic archaeological sites in the country, and can visit the same-named museum that houses its famous mummies.

Although the region where Salinas de Garci Mendoza is located stretches between the giant salt flats of Uyuni and Coipasa, its name has nothing to do with the presence of these salt pans. In the last years of the 16th century, in fact, the Spanish captain José Gutiérrez de Garcí Mendoza, attracted by the presence of salt springs in the surrounding mountains, managed to exploit the mineral wealth of the region and in the following years founded the town that now bears his name.

The administrative centre of the entire municipality, Salinas de Garci Mendoza, preserves traces of its colonial past in its urban layout and several old buildings.