Laguna Cejar: Floating in Chile's Atacama Salt Flat

Laguna Cejar is a salt lagoon in the Salar de Atacama, roughly 28 km south of San Pedro de Atacama at an elevation of about 2,400 meters. The complex is operated by the Atacameño Community of Solor, which limits and manages access. A single ticket includes the main Cejar lagoon — a tile-blue pool ringed by white salt crusts — and the smaller Laguna Piedra, the only one where swimming and floating are permitted. Chlorophyll and minerals give Cejar its vivid turquoise color, while the dense brine at Piedra pushes your body toward the surface.

What makes Laguna Cejar different

A hyper-saline lagoon, not a swimming pool

The water contains roughly seven times the salt of seawater. That salinity is why floating works: you can lie back with your hands behind your head and stay level without treading water. The effect is similar to the Dead Sea, but with Licancabur volcano rising over the salt flat in the background. Current visitors report that Cejar itself is observation-only — you walk the raised boardwalks, photograph the water, and watch for flamingos — and your actual float happens at Laguna Piedra within the same complex.

Wildlife and salt-flat scenery

The lagoons sit inside a saline wetland that the Solor community has protected for generations. Elevated walkways keep visitors off the fragile salt crust and make birdwatching accessible. Andean, James's, and Chilean flamingos pass through, and brine shrimp in the water support them. It is worth bringing binoculars if you have them — most day tours spend only 20 to 30 minutes on the boardwalks.

Getting there and practical planning

Distance and transport from San Pedro de Atacama

The drive from San Pedro de Atacama takes 30 to 45 minutes via Route CH-23, turning off at kilometer 1118 onto the signed access road. A shorter 18 km interior route exists but is rough and suitable only for capable vehicles and confident drivers. Organized half-day tours are the most common option, typically departing mid-afternoon and returning after sunset. Taxis and private transfers are available in town but should be arranged in advance, since pickup at the lagoon is unreliable.

Tickets, hours, and rules

Entry costs CLP 15,000 for adults aged 13 to 59 and must be purchased online through the official Solor community website — tickets are not sold at the gate, and travelers regularly get turned away after arriving without one. A convenient machine-readable tip: buy your ticket the evening before, confirm the QR code opens, and screenshot it. Opening hours are typically mid-morning to early evening, with last entry before around 18:00. There are clean showers and changing rooms on site, a detail that matters when you are coated in salt. Rinse your swimsuit afterward; the brine stiffens fabric.

Floating safely at high altitude

The lagoon sits at 2,400 meters, so pair the swim with a slow first day in San Pedro. Keep your face above water and avoid contacts — salt in the eyes stings sharply, and fresh water is available for rinsing. Limit soak time to around 15 to 20 minutes; the density is hard on skin and eyes if you linger. Sunscreen alone is not enough in the desert, so bring a hat and a long-sleeve layer for the drive back.

Best time to visit and how to combine stops

Seasons and timing

The Atacama is dry all year, but the lagoon is most comfortable from March to May and September to November, when daytime temperatures ease and the light is clear. Afternoon outings dominate because the water catches the best color before sunset. Peak summer (December through February) brings more visitors, especially on weekends — expect queues at the boardwalk entrance.

Pairing with other salt-flat sights

Most tours bundle Cejar with Ojos del Salar, two round freshwater pools in the middle of the salt flat, and Laguna Tebenquinche, a shallow mirror lake that turns pink and copper as the sun drops. A typical loop runs about five hours door to door. Come prepared with a swimsuit under your clothes, a towel, water (one to two liters per person), and CLP cash for small purchases; the salt flat has no ATMs. Prices and hours can shift by season, so check the official Solor community site before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to book Laguna Cejar in advance?

Yes. Tickets are sold only online through the official Solor community website and are not available at the entrance. Book at least a day ahead and keep a screenshot of your ticket.

Can you actually swim in Laguna Cejar?

No — Cejar itself is observation-only, with boardwalks for viewing. Swimming and floating happen at Laguna Piedra, which is covered by the same CLP 15,000 ticket.

How salty is the water?

It is about seven times saltier than the ocean, dense enough that most people float without effort. Limit your soak to roughly 15 to 20 minutes and keep the water out of your eyes.

What should I bring for the float?

Swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, and drinking water. Changing rooms and showers are available on site, so you can rinse the salt off before the drive back.