WHY

The mud in the salt lakes is good for skin conditions, such as eczema and also for stiffness and aching joints. You should see other people walking around caked in mud, they are usually Spanish

This a completely free experience, a fun day out, best done in a small group. Ideal for your visitors to experience

If you like to be well organised take with you:

1) A bucket
2) Something to scoop up the mud - a cut off bottom of a plastic water bottle with some holes punched in it to allow the water to drain out is ideal
3) A sponge for washing off the mud
4) Clean, dry clothes and of course a towel
5) A pair of old sandals

WHERE

San Pedro de Pinatar is about 25 - 30 minutes drive south of Dreamhills. It is situated on the edge of the Mar Menor. Drive south on the N332, following the signs for San Pedro de Pinatar until, as you start to enter the town, you come to a roundabout with a boat in the centre. Turn left here, rather than going to the town centre and follow this road over another 2 roundabouts. This should bring you to the most northerly edge of San Pedro de Pinatar and the begining of the Mar Menor. There is a long promenade dividing the Mar Menor from the salt lakes

Parking is usually available unless it is very busy

San Pedro de Pinatar is on the Mar Menor and there is a promenade, which goes out around the Mar Menor, towards La Manga. You cannot walk all the way to La Manga, but the path goes out about 2 miles and makes a very pleasant walk on a hot day, as there is usually plenty of breeze. This photo shows the promenade, with the Mar Menor, on the right and on the left are some salt lakes, where the mud can be found
		About 500 metres along the promenade from San Pedro de Pinatar is a dividing bank on the left
This photo shows the dividing bank To the right of the dividing bank is the salt lake containing the mud. In the centre is the ditch containing the salt To the left is another salt lake which is used to rinse off the mud. It can be accessed from the wooden platform shown in the photo above
Walk out on the right hand bank and from there walk into the right hand salt lake, it is very shallow, and part fill a bucket with the mud Bring it back to the bank and start applying it
		How much you want to put on is entirely up to you. You will see Spanish people who perhaps cover their knees and other joints or just their noses
		After applying the mud you need to let it dry This can take up to an hour depending on how much you applied and the weather on the day
		When the mud has dried you walk into the next salt lake. It has a wooden platform and some steps that you walk down Wash all the mud off. A sponge will be helpful
	You then go into the dividing ditch. This is very shallow water with a large concentration of coarse salt granules These are used to scrub yourself with and are also placed on joints
The penultimate act is to cross the promenade and go into the Mar Menor for a dip, and to wash all the salt off Afterwards you should feel exhilarated and that your skin is very soft Where the promenade returns to San Pedro de Pinatar there is a nice bar on the other side of the road which does nice Tapas
View of the promenade from the bar with the Mar Menor on the right