Laguna Cejar
A group of highly saline lakes on the northern edge of the salt flat, where you can float effortlessly in the lake like in the Dead Sea, with views of the Licancabur volcano.
Laguna Cejar lies about 20 kilometers south of San Pedro, on the northern edge of the Salar de Atacama. It is a group of sinkhole-like lakes formed by groundwater rising to the surface. The water is deep blue and far saltier than seawater, so you can lie back and float without effort. The whole area is managed by the local community and includes several lakes. Swimming is currently banned in Laguna Cejar itself to protect wildlife such as flamingos. Visitors float in the neighboring Laguna Piedra (Stone Lake), which has shower facilities by the shore. One ticket (about 15,000 Chilean pesos for foreign visitors) covers the whole area. A typical tour continues the same afternoon to the nearby Ojos del Salar (two round freshwater pools) and the Tebinquiche salt lake to watch the sunset, where a stand serves pisco sour and snacks by the shore. Please note: the water is icy cold and very salty, so keep it out of your eyes and any cuts, and do not dive. Your skin will be coated in salt when you get out, so be sure to rinse off. There is no shade by the lake, so bring plenty of sunscreen. Bring flip-flops, as the lake floor has sharp salt crystals. Most visitors come on a half-day tour, though self-driving is also possible.
Opening hours
Approx. 09:00–18:00 (swimming times set on site)
Nearby sights
- Ojos del Salar
- Laguna Tebinquinche
- Aldea de Tulor
- Piedra del Coyote (Mirador de Kari)
- Church of San Pedro de Atacama
- San Pedro de Atacama
- R. P. Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological Museum
- Valle de la Muerte (Valle de Marte)