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Laguna Cejar: Float in the Atacama Desert

Experience effortless floating in the Atacama Desert's Laguna Cejar, a surreal landscape of turquoise waters and salt formations.

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Laguna Cejar, located within the Salar de Atacama, offers a unique experience: effortlessly floating in its highly saline waters. The intense turquoise color of the lagoon, combined with the surrounding crystallized salt formations and views of distant volcanoes, creates a surreal landscape.

A brief summary to Laguna Cejar

  • San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta, CL

Local tips

  • Bring water and snacks, as there are limited options to purchase refreshments on site.
  • The high salt content can irritate cuts or sensitive skin. Shower after swimming and apply moisturizer.
  • Wear light clothing for the day, but bring warmer layers for the evening as temperatures can drop significantly.
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Getting There

  • Taxi

    From San Pedro de Atacama, a taxi to Laguna Cejar is a direct option. Taxis are readily available in town. The journey takes approximately 38 minutes. Expect to pay around $9 - $12 USD.

  • Tour

    Many tour operators in San Pedro de Atacama offer guided tours to Laguna Cejar, often combined with visits to other nearby attractions like Laguna Tebinquinche and Ojos del Salar. These tours typically include transportation, entrance fees, and sometimes snacks or drinks. Tour prices vary, but expect to pay around $31 USD for a shuttle. Entrance fee to Laguna Cejar is CLP $15,000 per person.

  • Driving

    Driving to Laguna Cejar from San Pedro de Atacama involves taking Route 23 southeast for approximately 16 km, then turning right onto a dirt road following signs for 'Laguna de Cejar'. The drive takes about 38 minutes. Be aware that the dirt road can be rough. Parking is available at the site. The entrance fee to Laguna Cejar is CLP $15,000 per person.

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Discover more about Laguna Cejar

Laguna Cejar is a sinkhole lake nestled within the Salar de Atacama, Chile's largest salt flat. Situated approximately 28 km from San Pedro de Atacama, this lagoon is renowned for its exceptionally high salt concentration, ranging from 5% to 28%, rivaling and even surpassing the Dead Sea in certain areas. This extreme salinity allows visitors to float effortlessly on the surface, providing a unique and unforgettable swimming experience. The landscape surrounding Laguna Cejar is characterized by its stark beauty. The water boasts an intense turquoise hue, contrasting with the bright white salt crust that lines the edges of the lagoon. In the distance, the imposing silhouettes of volcanoes like Licancabur, Acamarachi, and Láscar dominate the horizon, adding to the otherworldly atmosphere. The topography of the Salar de Atacama itself is quite rough due to years of evaporation and infrequent surface water. While Laguna Cejar is a highlight, many tours also include visits to nearby attractions such as Laguna Piedra, Ojos del Salar, and Laguna Tebinquinche. Laguna Piedra offers another opportunity for swimming in highly saline waters, while the Ojos del Salar are two deep, freshwater sinkholes. Laguna Tebinquinche is known for its stunning sunsets, where the reflection of the sky on the water creates a breathtaking spectacle. Visiting Laguna Cejar is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the unique landscape of the Atacama Desert and experience the unusual sensation of floating in its highly concentrated salt water.

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