Dead Sea
From World travel guide
The Dead Sea (Hebrew ים המלח, Yam HaMelach), on the border between Israel and Jordan, is the lowest point in the world at -417 m (as of 2003).
Contents |
Get in
From Israel
On the Israeli side, the main access points are the oases of Ein Gedi and Ein Bokek, both accessible via Egged bus from Jerusalem (lines 486 and 487), Tel Aviv (421), Eilat (444), Beersheva and Arad (384). Due to the sparse population services are infrequent, so check schedules before heading out.
From Jordan
On the Jordanian side, the Dead Sea is possible as a day trip from Aqaba or Amman.
Understand
The water in the Dead Sea is extremely salty, and in fact, it's generally reckoned to be the saltiest major body of water in the world. The name comes from the fact that the water is far too saline for any fish or other larger animals to live in it.
Because of water being siphoned off from the Jordan River, the Dead Sea is continually shrinking in size and the water level becoming lower and lower. Pessimistic estimates say that the Sea may disappear entirely within 50 years.
Climate
The Dead Sea is hot, hot, hot. Winters can be chilly by local standards, occasionally dipping under 20°C, but most of the rest of the year temperatures are firmly above 30°C and not uncommonly rocket past 40°C. The area gets an average of 330 days of sunshine per year, with rainy days occurring (if at all) only during winter.
See
- The ruins of Masada (see article) overlook the Dead Sea
Do
- Due to the salt, one can float in the water; in fact, it is nearly impossible to sink! But do not get any of the water in your eyes or your mouth. Both Ein Gedi and Ein Bokek have public access beaches, but Ein Bokek's beach is the better of the two.
- The mud at the shore of the Dead Sea contains many minerals and is thought by some to have medical benefits, notably as an aid for skin ailments like psoriasis. You can buy a packet of black mud to spread on your body to take advantage of these minerals.
Sleep
Budget
- The Ein Gedi Youth Hostel is pretty much the sole budget accommodation option in the area.
Splurge
In Ein Bokek, there are many health resorts catering to those wishing to take advantage of the reputed curative properties of the sea.
- Movenpick Hotel
- Marriot Hotel
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