Are you curious about visiting Jordan’s Dead Sea but all you found was a bunch of expensive resorts and spas? In this post, we’ll go over exactly where you can visit the Dead Sea in Jordan for free to check it off your bucket list!
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If you want to be able to experience the best of Jordan on a budget, then visiting The Dead Sea for free is a great way to do it. It’s such a unique and mesmerizing experience you don’t want to miss out on.
There are several beaches, resorts, and spas along The Dead Sea but none of these are free, and some even range to hundreds of dollars a night. I will cover exactly where you can go to visit The Dead Sea in Jordan for free so you can save money but still experience this natural beauty!
All About The Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is an incredible place that should be high on your list of attractions to visit! It’s actually a lake nestled between Israel and Jordan. It can be accessed from either country but in this post, we’re going to focus on the Eastern side from Jordan.
This body of water is about ten times as salty as the ocean and also the lowest point on Earth. Because of the high salinity content, no sea animals or organisms can survive there which is how it got its name as The Dead Sea.
Because of how salty it is, it’s actually impossible to swim there. Go ahead and try it for yourself! You’ll be surprised to find that you start to naturally float. This is one of the unique and interesting features of this super salty lake.
Best Time To Visit The Dead Sea
Spring (March-May) and Autumn (October & November) are the best times of year to visit The Dead Sea. This is when temperatures are at their best and comfortable for soaking in the lake. Summer months can be very hot so it’s advisable not to visit during July and August.
I visited in early February and while it wasn’t very cold out, the water certainly was. As beautiful of a place as it is without getting into the water, I had to! Why would you come all this way to not feel the powers of naturally floating?
How To Get There
The best way to get around Jordan in general is going to be by rental car. It’s about a 1.5 hour drive from the capital city of Amman. Or about 3.5 hours from Wadi Rum.
If you are not renting a car and are not able to get around by yourself, there are tours available from Amman. Some tours range from simple day tours to 2 or 3-day tours of Wadi Rum and Petra as well as The Dead Sea. It just depends on what you’re looking for!
Here are some examples of possible tour options if you are not renting a car :
Dead Sea Resorts & Public Beaches
Dead Sea Resorts
Most of The Dead Sea resorts and hotels are going to be located at the northern tip of the lake. This area is called Swemeh but it is close enough to Amman that it can sometimes be referred to as such.
Here there are hotels that range from $150 to $300 a night. However, they do have direct access to a private beach right on The Dead Sea. This is a great option if you want to splurge and pamper yourself.
However, if you are traveling on a budget, you most likely want to save money instead of paying an entrance fee to swim for about half an hour.
Public Beaches
Instead, there are some public beaches you can access for the day for an entrance fee. One of these is Amman Public Beach with the entrance fee being around 20 to 25 Jordanian Dinars ($28-$35 USD).
Here they have proper showers and towel rentals but since you likely won’t be ‘swimming’ all day, this may be a steep price to pay. This is what I thought which is why I sought out a cheaper or free option.
Free Access To The Dead Sea In Jordan
It can be a little tricky to find information about where to visit The Dead Sea in Jordan for free. Especially because many areas that border the lake are rugged cliff edges – so you cannot get there by simply walking. But luckily, I have visited this place and can tell you it’s a great free alternative.
This free Dead Sea area is located about 1 mile (1.3km) south of Wadi Mujib Bridge. If you type in Dead Sea Free Swimming on Google Maps you should be able to find the exact location.
This spot is located right off the main road and there is plenty of free parking available. There are even some locals that are selling refreshments, showers for when you leave, and even Dead Sea mud masks filled with all sorts of minerals.
Once you park at the top, it’s about a ten minute walk down to the lake. Make sure you are wearing proper shoes because the salt forms these salt crystals all over the ground, making it hard to walk at times. Unfortunately, there is also a ton of litter around this area including glass.
The salt crystals and the beautiful turquoise waters are the main attraction. You likely have never seen such formations and if you’re anything like me – you could spend hours just staring at these interesting structures.
Of course, the other reason people visit is to effortlessly float along The Dead Sea. The trick is to fall onto your back – your body and feet will naturally float leaving you shocked. It’s an interesting but strange sensation.
Once you are done soaking, you are going to want to shower or rinse off. We bought some water bottles ahead of time and left them in the car so we could rinse ourselves off before we changed. We then took a proper shower at our hotel later that night.
Here’s a quick reel of mine if you want to see this place during sunset!
Tips For Swimming In The Dead Sea
- Avoid shaving a few days before visiting, and/or entering with any large cuts or wounds – it will sting and burn! You don’t want to literally add salt to your wound.
- It’s a good idea to wear water shoes or outdoor sandals because the ground is filled with sharp salt crystals that can hurt your feet if you’re not careful.
- Do not put your face, eyes, lips, or even head under the water, it will sting as well!
- The high salt content is known to stain certain fabrics so be mindful of the bathing suit you choose to wear. Just in case it stains, you don’t want to ruin a brand-new suit.
- Do not stay in the water longer than 10-15 minutes at a time. The high salt content can cause dehydration and skin irritation.
- Make sure to rinse off or shower after your visit. It’s best for your skin to make sure you clean off as much salt residue as possible.
- Do not wear any jewelry into the water, it can tarnish very easily. You also don’t want to accidentally lose it.
This is by no means a fancy alternative to visiting The Dead Sea in Jordan but it is a free and adventurous alternative. This way you get to save money and still experience an incredible bucket list destination. I hope this helps you on your journey to visit The Dead Sea. I promise you, it will be worth the effort!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I swim in the Dead Sea for free?
By typing in Dead Sea Free Swimming on Google Maps, you should be able to find the exact location in Jordan. This access is located about a mile south of Wadi Mujib Bridge along Route 65. It’s easily accessible and there is free parking.
Can you access the Dead Sea from Jordan?
Yes, The Dead Sea is accessible from both Israel and Jordan. It just depends if you’re visiting from the east side or the west side. There are several resorts and hotels located along the ‘sea’ but also a free option if you’d rather save money.
Is the Dead Sea in Jordan worth visiting?
Absolutely! The Dead Sea is a bucket list experience, not only because of the unique natural floating but because of the beautiful, naturally formed salt crystals and deep blue water. Trust me, you will want to visit The Dead Sea at least once in your lifetime!
For more Jordan information, you may also like:
- The Best & Complete Jordan Road Trip Itinerary (With Map)
- Little Petra: Jordan’s Wonderful Hidden Secret
- Fantastic 17-Day Itinerary For Remarkable Egypt And Jordan Trip