Can't Swim? You Still Won't Sink — Laguna Cejar Atacama Salt Lake Review
Laguna Cejar is a natural salt lake inside Salar de Atacama, Chile’s largest salt flat, located about 35 km from San Pedro de Atacama. What makes it world-famous is simple: the salt concentration is so high that your body floats automatically — even if you’ve never learned to swim.
If you’ve heard of the Dead Sea in Jordan, Laguna Cejar is its hidden twin — buried inside the driest desert on Earth. That contrast alone makes it something else entirely.
This guide covers everything you need to know before visiting — how to book tickets, what to bring, what it actually feels like, and what no one warns you about. Written from firsthand experience on Day 5 of our Atacama trip.
Before You Go to Laguna Cejar — What You Need to Know
- Book tickets in advance, always — Entry is managed in timed slots. No booking = no entry.
- Bring cash (Chilean Peso) — Some payment points don’t accept cards. Pay online beforehand or carry cash.
- Screenshot your ticket before leaving town — Signal around the lagoon drops out regularly.
- You get about 30 minutes in the water — Manage your time well. Don’t burn it all on photos at the start.
- Flamingos? Come early — They fly off to feed during the day. Arrive late and you’ll only see the lake.
Emporio Andino — The Best Breakfast Spot in San Pedro de Atacama
Before heading out of town, we stopped at Emporio Andino — a small local café that regulars know well but doesn’t scream for tourist attention.
The star is their Empanada: proper dough, generous filling, nothing greasy. You can taste that it’s made from real ingredients, not a formula designed to move volume. The real surprise was the chocolate cookie wrapped in llama-print black paper — one bite and it’s clear someone actually cared about making it well.
If you’re in San Pedro de Atacama, this place is worth at least one visit.
The Drive to Salar de Atacama — Through the Driest Desert on Earth
Leaving San Pedro heading south toward Laguna Cejar, the landscape shifts immediately once you clear the town.
No green. No movement. Just dry brown earth, bare skeletal shrubs, and a horizon that stretches endlessly in every direction. The Atacama Desert holds the title of the driest non-polar desert on Earth — some areas haven’t seen rain in centuries. The sun hits hard and flat.
Which makes it all the more surreal when, after 35 km of nothing, a vivid turquoise lake appears in the middle of it all.
Laguna Cejar and the Flamingos — Timing Is Everything
Laguna Cejar is one of the best flamingo-watching spots in the Atacama. It’s part of the Cejar Lagoon system, which also includes Ojos del Salar and Laguna Tebenquiche — all within the same Salar de Atacama salt flat.
We arrived mid-morning, which meant the flamingos had already gone off to feed. What remained was a brilliant blue-green lake ringed by white — not snow, but pure salt crust that has crystallized along the water’s edge over time, as water slowly evaporates in the desert heat.
The closer you walk to the edge of this Atacama salt lake, the more the salt formation builds up around you.
The Floating Experience at Laguna Cejar — Why Don’t You Sink?
Staff divide entry into sessions of around 30 minutes per group. Before getting in, there’s a short briefing — the most important rule being no sunscreen in the water under any circumstances, to protect the lagoon’s ecosystem.
The salt concentration in Laguna Cejar ranges from 5–28%, several times saltier than the ocean. The moment your body contacts the water, the density pushes you up automatically. No kicking, no treading, no technique needed.
Lying flat on the surface of a salt lake in the middle of a desert, staring up at the deep blue Atacama sky without having to move a muscle — it’s harder to explain than it sounds.
Watch out for: Don’t stay in longer than 15–20 minutes. The salt is intense and the air is hot — skin starts to irritate with extended exposure. And if saltwater gets in your eyes or mouth, it burns.
After You Get Out — The ‘Salt Human’ Phenomenon
This is the part no travel guide mentions.
Step out of the water, stand in the sun. Within five minutes, the water on your skin evaporates — and all the dissolved salt crystallizes directly onto you. Skin, hair, arms, legs — all turned chalky white. It genuinely feels like someone dusted you with powder.
There are outdoor showers on-site to rinse off before leaving. Wash thoroughly, especially your hair — if you let it dry unsrinsed, it goes stiff and crunchy.
Grocery Run at Supermercado del Atacama — Dinner Like a Local
Back in town, we stopped at Supermercado del Atacama, San Pedro’s main convenience store, to pick up ingredients for a hostel-cooked dinner. Cheaper than restaurants, and there’s something satisfying about cooking your own meal after a day like this — it makes the place feel less like a stop on a tour and more like somewhere you actually lived for a moment.
If you’re staying anywhere with a shared kitchen, cook at least one meal yourself. It’s worth it.
Laguna Cejar — Quick Reference Before Planning Your Atacama Trip
| Location | Inside Salar de Atacama, ~35 km from San Pedro |
| Entry | Must pay in advance (online recommended) |
| Time in water | ~30 minutes per session |
| Best time to visit | Early morning (flamingos) / late afternoon (light) |
| What to bring | Swimsuit, microfiber towel, sandals, water (no sunscreen before entry) |
| Watch out for | No water in eyes, max 20 min in water, rinse hair thoroughly after |
| Getting there | Rental car (SUV recommended) / tours available from San Pedro |
Is Laguna Cejar Worth It?
Yes — without question. Laguna Cejar is one of those experiences that genuinely doesn’t exist anywhere else in the same form. Floating effortlessly in a salt lake, in the middle of the driest desert on Earth, under a sky that deep blue — it’s beyond what words actually cover.
If you’re planning a trip to the Atacama, do not cut this from your itinerary.
Download the full Atacama travel plan for free at nnbooana.com/routes
More from the Atacama Series
- Day 4 — Why You Should Never Cheap Out on Sandboard Rentals in Atacama — A solo sandboarding session at Valle de la Muerte, what to rent, and what no one tells you
- Complete Atacama Travel Plan — Free Download — Itinerary + accommodation + budget, all in one file
What Made This Trip to Laguna Cejar Easier
Things we actually used and recommend bringing:
- Car rental in Chile — Having your own wheels is the most flexible way to reach Laguna Cejar and other spots around the Atacama. Compare rates at GetRentACar
- Accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama — Trip.com makes it easy to compare multiple properties with free cancellation options
- Microfiber Towel — Essential for this trip. Lightweight, fast-drying, and far better at absorbing salt from skin than a regular towel. Shopee / Amazon
- Reef-safe Sunscreen — Apply only after rinsing off post-swim. Choose a formula free of chemicals that damage aquatic ecosystems. Shopee / Amazon
📌 Some links above are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend things we’ve actually used.
Further Reading:
- Laguna Cejar — TripAdvisor Reviews — Real visitor reviews from around the world
- Salar de Atacama — Wikipedia — Scientific background on Chile’s largest salt flat
FAQ — Laguna Cejar: Common Questions Answered
Q: What is Laguna Cejar? A: A natural salt lake inside Salar de Atacama, northern Chile. Famous for its extreme salinity, which causes the human body to float automatically. Part of the Cejar Lagoon system, which also includes Ojos del Salar and Laguna Tebenquiche.
Q: Why do you float at Laguna Cejar? A: The salt concentration here ranges from 5–28% — far higher than the ocean. The density of the saltwater pushes your body to the surface automatically. Same principle as the Dead Sea.
Q: Is Laguna Cejar saltier than the Dead Sea? A: The Dead Sea averages around 33% salinity; Laguna Cejar ranges from 5–28% depending on the spot. The floating experience is comparable — but the setting inside the world’s driest desert makes it feel unlike anything else.
Q: Do I need to book tickets in advance? A: Yes, always. Entry is capped per session. Signal around the lagoon is unreliable — book online and screenshot your ticket before leaving town.
Q: How long can I stay in the water? A: Sessions run about 30 minutes total, but it’s best to limit actual water time to 15–20 minutes. High salinity and heat cause skin irritation with prolonged exposure.
Q: Can non-swimmers go? A: Absolutely. The density of the saltwater lifts you to the surface automatically — no swimming technique required. One of the few water experiences genuinely suitable for everyone.
Q: Can I wear sunscreen before getting in? A: No. Sunscreen chemicals damage the lagoon’s ecosystem. Apply sunscreen after you’ve rinsed off and exited the water.
Q: How do I get to Laguna Cejar from San Pedro de Atacama? A: Drive yourself — about 35 km, 30–40 minutes. An SUV is recommended as some sections of road are unpaved. Guided tours from San Pedro are also available if you prefer not to drive.
Q: What are the opening hours? A: Generally open from morning through mid-afternoon. Hours may shift by season — confirm with your ticket vendor before the day of your visit.
Q: What’s the best time to visit? A: Early morning if you want flamingos. Late afternoon (3–5pm) for the best light for photography. Atacama weather is good year-round, but November–March brings intense heat — carry extra water.