WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE MUD VOLCANO
VOLCAN EL TOTUMO
This day trip is not for everyone. About half of our group loved it, but I think some people in our group would have opted-out if they knew what they were in for. If you’re curious about the mud bath, here’s some info that I wish I’d known ahead of time. This is just our experience and I’m sharing in the hopes that it helps you make the best decision for you and your group.
HOW TO GET to the mud volcano
Volcan El Totumo is located about a 45 minute drive from Cartagena – it feels very remote. Most tour companies will include transportation in their tour prices. You can book a private tour if you’re a larger group, or join a tour if you’re a solo traveler.
Even if you book a private tour you will be sharing the mud pit with strangers.
how long will you be at the mud volcano
You can expect to be there for about 1 hour.
What does the mud volcano cost
For a group of ten people, it was $30/person. This price included transportation. It was slightly less expensive for us to book a private tour over a group tour, so we did the private tour.
What to wear to the mud volcano
Wear a bathing suit that you do not care about, as well as clothes that you do not care about, and flip flops. After your mud bath, you will wash off, but the mud can still stain your clothes if there’s any residual. Definitely also wear flip flops. You walk on a combination of a hot sidewalk and a slightly rocky dirt path, so flip flops really help.
what to expect
A guide will come and collect your group. If you’d like pictures, you can give him or her your phone and they will document your experience at Volcan El Totumo.
You will start by climbing up about 100 steps to reach the mud bath.
The mud bath is SMALL! As a group of 10+, I think we would have enjoyed the experience more if we had the whole thing to ourselves, but we shared it with a bunch of strangers and it was tight! We definitely felt some arms and legs that did not belong to any of us.
When you enter the mud, your body becomes almost buoyant and it’s hard to get your legs under your body. You feel your body trying to float up. The mud is super viscous and it’s hard to move around.
What’s lurking in the mud?
The mud pit is rumored to be 2,000 meters or about 6,500 feet deep! So you will not reach the ground. The mud is so viscous that you kind of just float. The mud is not smooth. You will feel grit, dirt and minerals in the mud. You will also most likely feel some limbs that are not yours. The people who work there might give you a little helpful push so that you glide across the mud pit and try to get towards your group.
OPTIONAL MASSAGE
When you get into the mud pit, you have the option to get a mud massage. It is included in the price, but our group decided to not participate in the mud massage. All of the people who work in the mud area and give massages are men.
EXITING THE MUD PIT
When you’re done soaking in the mud, start making your way to the exit ladder. This is near the entrance ladder. It may take you a few minutes to get to the exit if you need to slog through all the mud.
When you’re on the exit ladder, the people who work at the mud volcano will wipe your body down to get the mud off. They’ll go down each leg and arm. It’s not bad, but it can be surprising if you’re not expecting it.
After you exit, you will walk down the 100 steps. Be careful! It can get pretty slippery with all of that mud!
cleaning off in the lake
Put on your flip flops and follow the people who work at the mud bath to the lake, Cienaga del Totumo. It is about a three minute walk. You kind of feel like you’re on show walking through the area in your bathing suit, covered in mud.
Each person in your group will be paired up with a woman who works at the volcano. She is in charge of washing you and making sure all of the mud is removed from your body and bathing suit. We were not aware ahead of time, but you will be asked to remove your bathing suit. Yes, the whole thing. Some of us enjoyed this part more than others.
We all felt that our skin was very soft and clean afterwards.
Make your way back to your bus or transportation method back to Cartagena.
a note on tipping
It is advised NOT to tip the women who wash you or the men who massage you. Tip should be included in the base price of the tour you book. If you are unsure, make sure to check with your tour provider.
If you are in a larger group, and someone decides to tip extra, even if you’ve already paid for the tip, other people who work at the volcano will come and forcefully request additional tips.
optional stop: pink sea
The pink sea is on the way home, but it’s only pink at certain times throughout the year – it depends on the season and the amount of rainfall. Check with your tour provider to see if it will be pink during your visit.