I can’t believe the trip to Cartagena is coming to an end. Today we decided to get outside the city and try something different. A lot of people come for the beaches but we decided for the weird – to climb inside a volcano filled with mineral-rich mud with therapeutic properties. Sign us up!
Located about an hour northeast of Cartagena is “Volcán de Lodo El Totumo.” Once inside, you can float, get a massage or just play in the mud. Or maybe act out your dream of doing something like you’d see in The Amazing Race? The volcano was featured in an episode where contestants had to dive to the bottom and retrieve items. I’ll stick with the massage.
Volcan de Lodo el Totumo
Looking down into the muddy volcano
For us, the first challenge was getting inside. Kevin and I were clinging for our lives as we descended the slippery and rickety ladder into the muddy bowels.
Slippery ladder going into the volcano
Once inside, workers will slap mud all over you. Kevin (wisely) asked them to avoid his head and face. I, on the other hand, told them to go nuts… Only to later find mud all over me — I’m talking in my ears and other places you’d rather not want to read about. I looked like the last-place contestant in one of those tough mudder races.
Kevin, a random person (in the middle) and I get all slathered in mud
Beware of the the creatures from the black lagoon
I’d recommend booking a trip here through a tour company rather than trying this one on your own. We considered doing it solo with a rental car, but ultimately figured it would be a bad idea. Why? Because you’ll need someone to stick around with all your items while you’re in the mud. Also, you risk getting your car filthy. In the end, it was just worth having someone else drive us there.
We arranged the trip through Cartagena Tour Guides. The 3-hour trip includes towels, driver and a guide (which wasn’t really necessary but hey, if you’re inquisitive he’s there to answer anything). The tour wasn’t cheap at $130 for 2 people, but we enjoyed beating the crowds since you can arrange your own departure time. Many of the hostels arrange full-day trips, which involves a beach stopover and is at a fraction of the cost. We pretty much just wanted to see the volcano — boom, 3 hours and we’re out!
We left our hotel at 9 AM to beat the crowds. There is a worker at the top of the volcano tasked with taking photos inside. He even took the very artistic landscape photo below, which cracks me up!
Scenic view from the top of the volcano
We were in the mud for about 30 minutes before told to get out. And we made our way up the scary ladder. I had knee surgery so this was really tough – if you have knee issues, there isn’t a handicap ramp here. And you’re covered in mud making it even more difficult.
I am covered in so much mud, it is everywhere!
I’m the mud man! Though they somehow missed a few spots on my shoulder
You’ll walk back down to the bottom of the volcano to a lake where a bunch of ladies will wash you down with water collected in giant plastic garbage cans! The ladies have no issues with bodies. This part is not for the meek! At one point, my swim trucks were pulled open from my body and she continued dumping water inside. And that water… oh, the muddy water. You’ll definitely need to take a real shower once back at your hotel.
The ladies will be ready to wash you down at the end of your mud bath- with nice and muddy water!
Last word of advice — come with small denominations of Colombian Pesos to tip. You can leave your cash in the trunk of the hired car (you’ll risk losing it in the volcano so leave it there). You’ll need to tip the photographer, the massage guy and the ladies that washed you. A few bucks each is fine.
Would we do it again? Probably not! But one of those things we’ll always chalk up as “an experience!”
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