Return to blog

Bathing in the Dead Sea: Mud & Salt Benefits + Travel Tips

·
Young woman floating in relaxation in the dead sea.

Traveling the world can be an incredibly enriching and rewarding experience. In fact, while visiting new places, you can also take care of your physical and mental health. And the Dead Sea is a great place for that.

The Dead Sea, located between Jordan and Israel, is a unique travel destination that offers visitors a breathtaking natural landscape and a wealth of health benefits.

If you’ve been planning a visit to the Dead Sea, we’ve got you covered. In today’s post we’ll share:

  • What makes the Dead Sea a unique travel destination
  • Dead Sea mud health benefits
  • Dead Sea bathing tips
  • What Dead Sea beaches and spas have to offer
  • How to get around

Ready? Let’s get started.

What Makes the Dead Sea So Unique?

Located in the Middle East, the Dead Sea is at 1,000 below sea level, making it the lowest point of any body of water on earth that is surrounded by mountains. It contains nine times more salt than the ocean, and, as a result, the surrounding mud and silt are rich in a variety of minerals, such as:

  • Sodium
  • Magnesium
  • Calcium
  • Potassium

The Dead Sea’s high salinity and mineral concentration prevent fish and other aquatic species from growing, giving it its name. But, this is also the reason why it’s highly beneficial for a wide range of health conditions, from muscle inflammation to psoriasis. Plus, it makes it possible to float effortlessly on the surface.

Dead Sea Mud Health Benefits

With its high salt concentration and mineral-rich mud, the Dead Sea has long been renowned for its therapeutic properties and is a popular destination for travelers seeking natural healing remedies.

Taking a dip in the Dead Sea, or applying Dead Sea mud can help you:

However, it’s worth noting that some people’s skin is sensitive to some of the metals the Dead Sea contains, such as nickel and chrome. If you are one of those people, it’s better for you to avoid it as a topical treatment.

Visiting the Dead Sea

Now that you know all the health benefits of the Dead Sea, here are some tips for your visit, including:

  • What to consider before dipping in the Dead Sea
  • What Dead Sea beaches and spas have to offer
  • How to get around

Let’s get a closer look.

Dead Sea Bathing Tips

As you already know, the uniqueness of the Dead Sea provides multiple health benefits. However, given its highly salty nature, you should take some precautions before bathing.

We recommend you:

  • Don’t shave for a day or two before you visit the Dead Sea. Otherwise, the water minerals cause any scratch to sting.
  • Avoid wearing jewelry unless it’s 24-carat gold. The water will make any other metal tarnish (you may still be able to clean it later).
  • Make sure to wear flip-flops. The Dead Sea bottom can be rocky and sharp. Hence, we recommend you wear flip-flops or other similar footwear to protect your feet.
  • Protect your eyes. The high salt content in the Dead Sea can cause stinging and irritation in your eyes. We recommend you avoid splashing or dunking your head.
  • Keep yourself hydrated. Be sure to drink lots of fresh water as the Dead Sea’s dry heat (up to 47°C) can quickly dehydrate you.

Dead Sea Beaches & Spas: What To Expect

It comes as no surprise that the Dead Sea is also an ideal place for relaxation and retreat. Some public beaches on the Israeli side offer various amenities, such as:

  • Open-air showers
  • Shade shelters
  • Changing booths
  • Toilets
  • A paved walkway
  • Nighttime lighting

Plus, the Dead Sea is a great place to retreat yourself in mineral spas. Many of them offer:

  • Mineral baths
  • Health and beauty treatments
  • Freshwater swimming pools
  • Saunas

In some places, you can even smear yourself with invigorating Dead Sea mud.

Getting Around

If you don’t have much time, you can visit the major sites along the western Dead Sea in one day from either Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. A car is the most convenient way to travel, but tours are also available at good prices.

Alternatively, you can also take public transportation, there are multiple buses that can get you around -numbers 444 and 486-. However, bear in mind that public buses don’t run on Friday evenings, Saturdays, and Jewish holidays.

Key Takeaways

The Dead Sea is a unique destination that offers various health benefits. It may be an ideal destination for those who find it hard to travel due to joint pain, or simply want to improve their skin health.

Nevertheless, the Dead Sea’s appeal goes beyond its medicinal properties, as it also boasts stunning views, making it a truly remarkable destination.

Want to get tested before your next adventure? No matter where you are, or what type of test you need, find COVID testing locations near you with our international directory.

Have Travel Questions?

Join our Facebook community full of travelers like you

Join facebook group

Recent posts

COVID Testing in San Antonio

Best Foods for COVID Recovery

COVID Testing in Spanish: What to Know and Who to Ask

COVID Pandemic Effects: Social Impact, Mental Health, Worklife, and more

Share this article