Plan your visit

Planning Your Visit

Prepare for rapid temperature shifts, extreme salt concentrations, and high desert UV exposure.

Laguna Cejar and Ojos del Salar Tours

Salar de Atacama, San Pedro de Atacama

GPS -23.0635, -68.2137

Open directions

Getting there

Most visitors join afternoon excursions departing from San Pedro de Atacama.

How	Time	Cost	Notes
Tour: Book a half-day guided excursion departing from San Pedro de Atacama in the mid-afternoon. Tours usually include hotel pickup, a bilingual guide, and sunset cocktails.	4-5 hours	30,000 - 50,000 CLP	Entrance fees to the lagoons are typically not included in the base tour price and must be paid separately.
Car: Drive south from San Pedro de Atacama on Route CH-23, then turn onto the marked Route B-355 dirt road towards the salt flat.	30-45 minutes	Varies based on rental	The last 8 kilometers are on an unpaved but well-maintained gravel road. A 4x4 vehicle is not strictly required, but driving carefully is advised.
Bike: Rent a mountain bike in San Pedro de Atacama and ride the 28 km to the lagoons.	2-3 hours one way	10,000 - 15,000 CLP	Recommended for experienced cyclists only due to intense desert sun, high altitude, and the rough, dusty return trip in the dark after sunset.

When to go

QuietModerateBusyPeak

The lagoons are open year-round. Summer (December to February) offers the most comfortable water temperatures for swimming. Spring and autumn provide clear skies and pleasant weather.

Afternoon visits are standard. This timing aligns the swimming portion with peak daytime warmth, leaving the Laguna Tebinquinche visit for sunset.

What to bring

Swimsuit (wear it under your clothes to save time)
Microfiber travel towel
Flip flops, sandals, or water shoes (salt crystals on the lagoon floor are very sharp)
Warm jacket, fleece, or windbreaker (essential for the rapid temperature drop at sunset)
Minimum 2 liters of drinking water per person
Sunscreen (apply well in advance so it absorbs before you enter the water)
Sunglasses with UV protection and a wide-brimmed hat
Moisturizing lotion or body butter (salt water and desert air dry out the skin rapidly)
Cash in Chilean Pesos (CLP) for entrance fees, as electronic payment signals often fail in the desert

Your ticks are saved in this browser only.

Temperatures can drop from 25°C to 5°C after sunset.

Bring a warm jacket for the end of the tour.

How the day runs

Typical tour structure.

The typical afternoon route from San Pedro de Atacama.

15:00
Departure
Leave San Pedro de Atacama and travel 28 km south.
15:45
Laguna Cejar & Piedra
Float in Laguna Piedra and shower off the salt. Limit time in water to 30 minutes.
17:00
Ojos del Salar
Visit the two freshwater sinkholes. Some guides allow a quick jump.
18:00
Laguna Tebinquinche
Walk the trails and view the sunset reflection over the Andes.

Packing Essentials

Wear your swimsuit under your clothes to save time at the changing rooms. Bring a microfiber towel and water shoes. The salt crystals on the lagoon floor are sharp. Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and at least 2 liters of drinking water per person. See Packing guide.

Safety and Rules

Do not submerge your head in Laguna Piedra. The extreme salt will painfully burn your eyes. Avoid shaving the day of your visit. Shower immediately after swimming to prevent salt crystallization on your skin. See Laguna Piedra Floating.

Easiest way to do it

A woman floats peacefully in a blue lagoon with majestic mountains in the background.

Laguna Cejar: Flota en las lagunas más famosas de Atacama

4 h 5.0 (78)

Picnic
Entrance fee

From$86per person

Viator$86 GetYourGuideCompare

Cancellation terms differ by platform and listing. Check them before you pay.

Planning questions

Can you sink in Laguna Cejar?

No. The water in Laguna Piedra possesses a higher salt concentration than the Dead Sea. Sinking is impossible.

Is the Laguna Cejar tour safe for children?

Yes, but you must ensure they do not splash or put their faces in the water. The salt will burn their eyes.

Are there showers at Laguna Cejar?

Yes. The Solor Community provides mandatory freshwater showers to wash off the heavy layer of salt after swimming.