Half-Day Tour to Totumo Mud Volcano from Cartagena
Description
Climb inside Mud Volcano, in an amazing activity near to Cartagena in one of the world's smallest volcanos and enjoy a relaxing soak in the warm mud inside. Some locals say the mineral infused mud has healing properties and skin benefits which make you look and feel younger. After mud immerse with the help of a kind local who will rinse off the mud, it's optional but we recommend it because the mud remains can be uncomfortable. Get a delicious local snack than you can choose: arepa de huevo, empanada or carimañola and a soda. For this experience you'll be accompanied by a bilingual tour guide, that give you a interesting speech about volcano making your experience unforgettable throughout the journey. Massages, photos or mud-cleanse have an additional price around $2 USD. All native or local people make a living from MUD VOLCANO. We invite you for be part of the growth of a community and support a sustainable tourism. *Please notice this tour is NOT a fancy and luxury experience.*
Tour Options
Itinerary
Step into a one-of-a-kind adventure with our exclusive guided tour to Volcán del Totumo, designed to offer comfort and relaxing bath. With perfectly planned timing, you’ll enjoy this natural wonder to fully connect with the serenity of the surroundings. Immerse yourself in the warm, volcanic mud, where the natural buoyancy creates a sensation of effortless weightlessness. Let the mud’s therapeutic minerals refresh your body, leaving your skin soft, smooth, and revitalized. Enhance your wellness with gentle massages, designed to release tension and elevate your relaxation. From local people who make a living from it, this service cost $2 USD but it's optional. After mud bath with the help of a kind local who will rinse off the mud, leaving you renewed, glowing, and completely refreshed. This service has an additional cost $2 USD, it's optional but we recommend it to you because the mud remains can be uncomfortable. *Please notice this tour is NOT a fancy and luxury experience.*
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pick-up time start around 8:15 a.m. or 1:15 p.m., according to the schedule you choose (A.M. or P.M.), please be ready at time in your accommodation place. Sometimes we're going delay because traffic, so we appreciate your understanding and patience. We pick-up in your accommodation place as long as this is located at Bocagrande, Castillogrande, Laguito, Cabrero, Marbella, Crespo y Boquilla, this last-one until Sonesta Hotel. ***Please give us your pick up location specific detail for been on time.*** Remember we need mandatory contact info to guarantee your assistance to our experience. E.g.: phone number and e-mail.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Swimsuit required inside mud volcano
- Each traveler is allowed a maximum of (1) suitcase or carry-on bag. Do NOT allowed oversized or excessive luggage.
- Valuables Security: Upon arrival at the volcano, please keep your valuables secure. We make the vehicle we travel in available as a safe space where all guests can leave their belongings. The vehicle will serve as your secure location.
- Tipping and Local Community: The native community of this village relies solely on the commercial activity of the volcano. It is common for local residents to offer assistance with items you carry and subsequently ask for a tip. Tipping should be voluntary and at your discretion. To simplify the process and avoid solicitations, we highly recommend ascending the volcano without any personal items—just go in the clothes you intend to enter the mud with.
- Massage and Exfoliation: Once inside the volcano, there are local individuals who offer massages. Please make it very clear if you do or do not want this massage and exfoliation service.
- Cleaning Service: When exiting the volcano, a group of local women will offer to clean the mud off your body in a natural lake. If you do not wish to use this service, you are also welcome to clean yourself on your own.
- Extra Costs: Please note that any assistance you receive, regardless of whether it is offered by the guide or not, will incur an extra cost.
Reviews(1,602)
Cesar was our guide and explained everything well. If you had questions he made sure to answer them. The overall experience was interesting in a good way. The locals are persistent with trying to wash you but you need to firmly say no. At the end it was fun
We had an amazing time with Ana. She took care of my mom, my daughter and I.
This experience is one I wouldn’t do again, upon booking it does not say to bring towels, hair wraps if need be, and pesos for tips. So not knowing this until we pull up to the volcano was very disappointing. When we get there I told the massagers to not go above the neck as I do not want mud in my face or hair. The first guy understood the second guy decided to “try” and get mud out of my eye but touched my hair- I was furious and irritated, I got out to go wash the mud off and as I was washing off the ladies in the lake with small bowls helps you get the water off (if you do not intend to tip- TELL THEM NO, they are aggressive) the bathrooms are really nasty and there is no clean running water to wash your hands. These folks are HUSTLERS so again if you don’t plan to tip do not let them hold your stuff, wash you off in the lake, take your pictures in the mud (get someone else to do it for you- friend, stranger) and do not get a massage. After the mud activity we went to the beach and had lunch, the lunch was cold and not good, drinks were watered down as they had been sitting out and you’re literally spending 2 hours bored on the beach which you could do on your own time. There were some people that called an uber and left early (which I wish I would’ve done)
Ana was amazing and informative. She made everyone feel safe and welcome with her warm personality ! 10/10 experience!
Ana was amazing! Super nice, helpful, and she gave a wonderful history lesson! Would recommend doing this again!
The place is great. Cesar, who was our guide, was wonderful and gave us the best advice. A 100% recommended experience.
My experience was amazing. I love the mud bath Anna. Was great wish I it was longer admission was good
Great tour and José did a great job. Only complaint is the ride didn’t have good AC
The excursion itself was great but the beach portion is full of scammers. I was so mad I ubered back to my hotel from the beach. They have a list of prices shown and then will try to charge your card double the amount same thing with US dollars. DO NOT GET ON THE JETSKI DO NOT GET A MASSAGE.
Our tour guide Milton was fantastic, and our driver John Carlos got us there and back safely. The van has definitely seen a few years, but the A/C worked perfectly—and trust me, you'll be grateful for that Cartagena heat! I absolutely loved this experience. What should you know before you go? Bring some Colombian pesos (COP) for tips. The people who make this experience memorable work incredibly hard and depend on them: The guy who takes photos and videos with your camera The mud massage expert inside the volcano The woman who helps wash the mud off afterward in the lagoon The mud is warm, the water is even warmer, and the entire experience is unlike anything I've ever done. This is not a luxury excursion. It's a little quirky, a little chaotic, and completely authentic. If you're expecting a polished resort experience, this isn't it. But if you're up for something unique, fun, and memorable, you'll have a blast.
Thank you so much for your incredible and detailed review! We are absolutely thrilled to hear that you loved this unique experience and that you found it unlike anything you’ve ever done before. We will definitely pass your fantastic words along to Milton and our driver, John Carlos. They will be so proud to know their guidance, hospitality, and safe driving kept you comfortable and well taken care of. We also want to deeply thank you for sharing such valuable tips with the TripAdvisor community. Your description is spot on! The Totumo Mud Volcano is indeed a quirky, rustic, and completely authentic Colombian experience rather than a luxury resort, and bringing cash for the hardworking locals who assist with photos, massages, and washing up is the best advice you could give. Thank you again for embracing the adventure and the Cartagena heat with such a great attitude. It was an absolute honor hosting you! Best regards, The Backpackers Travel SAS Team
