El Totumo Mud Volcano
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Port
Cartagena, Colombia
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Activity Level
Strenuous
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$94.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Your tour begins with a panoramic view of the San Felipe de Barajas Fortress, located just outside the walled city. This impressive fortification is renowned as the pinnacle of Spanish military engineering in the New World. Its construction, which began in 1536, spanned 121 years, resulting in a formidable and historic structure.
Drive through the narrow streets of Cartagena's walled city and 45 minutes through the countryside to reach El Totumo. This is perhaps Colombia's most intriguing example of a mud volcano. Standing 45 feet tall, it resembles an oversized anthill. Mud volcanoes are formed by natural gases emitting from decaying organic matter underground. As these gases push the mud upwards, it deposits and hardens on the surface. Over time, this process creates a miniature volcano with a crater of rich, creamy, therapeutic mud.
If this is your first experience with a mud volcano, the sensation of the mud on your skin might be quite unusual. Trust the experts and allow yourself to lie back, relax, and enjoy a soothing mud massage, and you'll soon find yourself in a state of bliss. Feeling like a hippo in a mud bath? That's perfect!
When you're ready, simply climb down the staircase and take a leisurely walk to the nearby cienaga (wetland) to wash off the mud.
Notes:
The restrooms at the mud volcano are rustic. Maximum weight is 300 lbs. Participants must climb (up/down) approximately 50 steps on a slippery staircase. Wear an old swimsuit and footwear that you're happy to get dirty, as the mud can stain and may impart a lingering odor.