Keep in mind that due to the intense saltiness of the water, you likely won’t be able to stay in it too long. You’ll definitely know when it’s your time to get out, but generically, if your skin starts burning, you’ve probably had enough, at least for a bit. This seems to be the case for all skin types, as the saltiness is really dehydrating, leading to a tight, itchy, burning sensation. There’s a quick fix, though– just run up to a mud pit, slather yourself in the rich, nutrient-dense mud, and hop back in when it’s dry to rinse off! It’s also good to have lots of bottled water on hand.

This next tip likely goes without saying, but in the interest of full disclosure… do not swallow the water! It’s so salty that it’s dangerous to imbibe, and a mere few mouthfuls can actually cause your organs to fail. Yikes!

More pleasantly, the saltiness of the water is what leads to that amazing weightless floating. The pictures you’ve seen of people reading while floating along aren’t staged– it’s actually harder to stay under the water than float atop it! Try it, you’ll see! As you can see in the photos above, floating with my hands and feet above the water was totally effortless. It truly is such an odd feeling– you feel like a buoy, being forced up to the surface.

Another note about the mud– all its healing properties aside, it’s very, very messy and tends to leave permanent stains, so this is not an activity for your cutest high-waisted bikini or most-treasured pair of swim trunks. It’s definitely best to wear an older swimsuit that you’re not attached to, so you can really revel in getting as muddy as you want without worrying about ruining your swimsuit. This advice includes black swimsuits! 

You can’t miss the mud experience, though. The Dead Sea mud is filled with nutrients like iron, magnesium, and potassium, which all work wonders on your skin and feel so lovely and cool to the touch. You can rinse most of the mud off back in the Dead Sea when you’re ready, but we definitely recommend rinsing any mud you put on your face with non-salt water… remember that “3-times-saltier-than-most-oceans” water? Really, really not fun to get in your eyes! 

The entrance to the water, as well as the sea floor is very rocky, so it’s best to have a pair of flip-flops or water shoes to protect your feet. As always, I had my trusty Chacos on, and just left them on the whole day. If you have any cuts or blisters, they will definitely sting, and it’s best not to shave before your visit for the same reason.

Surprisingly, even though I visited in January, the water temperature was quite pleasant, so I imagine this would be the case year-round! Certainly a bit cold at first, but quite warm and cozy under the surface. We visited on a sunny day, so the mud was quite warm, too. The low UV rays make for a pleasant visit as well, with less of a chance for sunburn.

Once you’ve had enough of the Dead Sea, take advantage of your hotel pass to spend some time lounging by the pool, and be sure to check out what’s on offer for the included lunch. You can also ask them for some complimentary toiletries if you want to take a quick shower at the pool showers and change back into real clothes prior to heading back to Amman.

If you do decide to stay overnight, there are a few sites you can explore the next day. The Dead Sea is located very close to the “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” pilgrimage site, where John the Baptist is said to have baptized Jesus. You can also explore the wider Wadi Mujib biosphere reserve to the east of the Dead Sea, a UNESCO-protected area especially popular with bird lovers.