If you are planning a trip to Cartagena, Colombia, you may have heard of Volcán del Totumo, also known as Cartagena’s mud volcano. This famous attraction has become a popular day trip and is worth a visit.
On my family’s trip to Cartagena, we decided to give this mud volcano experience a try. In fact, we went directly to the mud volcano from the airport! I’m so glad we were able to fit it into our Cartagena itinerary. It was definitely interesting and something unique to do.
Based on our experience, I’ve created a complete guide for visiting Volcán del Totumo, including how to get there, what to know before you go, and what to bring on a day trip to Cartagena’s mud volcano.
What is the Volcán del Totumo
Volcán del Totumo is a unique volcano near Cartagena, Colombia. This isn’t your typical volcano though – instead of lava, the center of the volcano is filled with dense, silky mud. The mud is rich in minerals and is said to have special healing properties.
The mud volcano is around 49 feet tall, making it the smallest volcano in the country. To get in you have to climb up slippery stairs, then down into the volcano opening. The inside of the mud volcano isn’t that large but can fit about 20-25 people at a time.
What’s cool about this experience is the mud is buoyant; therefore, you’ll float. My kids absolutely loved this!
In recent years, Volcán del Totumo has become a very popular tourist attraction, and many people visit as a day trip from Cartagena. So, while it is a bit on the touristy side, it is still an interesting thing to do.
Is the Volcán del Totumo Worth Visiting?
Volcán del Totumo is absolutely worth visiting. The mud volcano is unique, and there are very few places that are like it in the world. The rich minerals in the mud bath combined with the warm water make for a relaxing atmosphere, and overall it’s a cool experience.
Not only is Volcán del Totumo an interesting thing to do for adults, but it’s also a fun activity if you are visiting Colombia with kids. Plus it’s only a short trip to get there from Cartagena, making it a great day trip option to add to your Cartagena itinerary.
How to Get to Volcán del Totumo
Volcán del Totumo is located about 60km from Cartagena, so it’s around a 1-hour drive to get there. This makes it an easy day trip option from Cartagena.
To get there you can either take a private tour, join a group tour, take a taxi, or rent a car and drive yourself.
We chose to take a private tour and I highly recommend it. Having a local tour guide made the experience so much easier, plus it was still affordable. Having a private guide also makes the experience much more personalized.
Another option is to join a half-day group tour which includes transportation to and from Cartegena. This particular group tour also includes a bonus stop at Manzanillo Beach.
If you don’t want to take a tour, you can always rent a car and drive yourself. However, I found it beneficial to have a guide because they can provide local insight and knowledge about the place.
Plus, the mud volcano didn’t look like what I had pictured so having a guide ensures that you are in the right place and know what to do.
👉 Check rental car prices and availability 👈
8 Things to Know When Visiting Volcán del Totumo
Visiting Cartagena’s mud volcano was such an interesting experience. We enjoyed our time there and would recommend it to anyone headed to Cartagena (if you don’t mind mud).
However, there are a few things to be aware of before you go. So to help you plan, I’ve made a list below of 8 important things to know for visiting Volcán del Totumo.
1. Tipping is Expected
One important thing to know before heading to Volcán del Totumo is that you’ll need to bring cash (Colombian Pesos) for tips.
Since it has become a popular tourist attraction, several locals from a nearby village come to work for tips at the mud volcano.
The services you will tip for include assistance getting into and out of the volcano, for someone to take pictures of your group while in the volcano, massages in the mud, and help washing the mud off.
For our group of 4 people, there were 8 individuals that we tipped during the experience, equating to almost $55 USD.
2. The Mud is Relaxing
The mud of the volcano is heated by geothermal energy, which makes it warm and relaxing.
Not only does the mud feel good on your skin, but it also has a variety of minerals in it, including magnesium, silica, sulfur, and iron. These minerals are why the mud is believed to have healing properties. In my opinion, the mud feels very therapeutic and is a nice way to relax, since it has buoyancy which makes you float.
3. Be Prepared to be Touched
One important thing to be aware of with this experience is that you will get strangers touching you. This can be a bit uncomfortable, especially if you are not prepared for it.
Honestly, while the mud was relaxing, the massage in the mud was not. In my experience, as soon as I got in the mud the masseuse immediately grabbed my shoulder and started massaging. It was awkward to say the least, especially since I hadn’t had a chance to acclimate to the mud before a stranger immediately started massaging me.
After you exit the volcano, local women will wash the mud off you. They work quite hard to get the mud off every inch of your body, including private areas. So again, be aware that people will be trying to touch you.
4. You Can’t Sink in the Mud
The mud bath is super deep, but you wouldn’t be able to tell because it’s impossible to sink in it. This is because of the density and rich minerals, which causes you to float. I even tried to sink and it didn’t work, making it a great option for those who do not know how to swim.
5. It’s Important to Stay Hydrated
This part of Colombia can get very hot and there is not much shade at the mud volcano. So, while you are visiting it’s essential to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. I’d make sure to bring some water with you, but there is also some that you can purchase there if needed.
6. It Gets Slippery on the Steps
One thing to be cautious of is that the ladder gets slippery going up into and back down from the mud bath. The way down is even more slippery since you are covered in mud at that point, so just go slow and be careful.
In our experience, some of the guides helped our kids get down safely since it was getting so slippery.
7. Get Photos in the Mud
While in the mud bath, there will likely be a local individual who will offer to take pictures for you. We chose to get pictures taken, and while I was nervous about handing my phone over to a stranger the pictures were worth it. Just make sure to tip the person that takes the photos for you!
8. The Mud Volcano is Worth Doing With or Without Kids
As I mentioned above, Volcán del Totumo is a unique attraction and is an awesome day trip from Cartagena. This is true whether you are visiting on your own or with kids.
If you are visiting with kids, just know that some kids will love it while others not so much. It really just depends on their personality, and also whether or not they mind getting muddy. For us, one of our kiddos LOVED it and attempted to get back in when we were trying to leave. While the other got out of the mud as soon as he got in.
What to Bring When Going to Volcán del Totumo
If you are heading to the mud volcano from Cartagena, there are a few things you’ll need to bring. Below, you’ll find a list of some must-have items when visiting Volcán del Totumo (add them to your Cartagena packing list).
An Old Swimsuit
I recommend bringing an older swimsuit when visiting Volcán del Totumo because you will get mud all over it and it can be quite sticky. There is also a slight sulfur smell which may stick to your swimsuit for a few days.
While the mud will get washed off after the experience, I still think it’s best to wear an older swimsuit rather than a new or favorite one. In fact, the mud did not completely come out of my coverup. If you look closely, you can still see a stain from where some of the mud was.
Coverup or Change of Clothes
In addition to your swimsuit, you’ll want to bring a coverup or a change of clothes for after you are done with the mud volcano. That way you aren’t just sitting in your swimsuit on the ride back to Cartagena.
There are bathrooms at the site, but it is pretty rustic. However, if you want to change clothes you can do so there.
Cash
You’ll need to bring some cash to tip on this experience. It’s expected to tip everyone that helps you at the volcano, such as providing a massage or helping wash the mud off at the end.
You will need Colombian Pesos, and you’ll want to bring smaller bills so that you can use them for tips for several people.
To give you an idea of how much tips cost, we tipped about $55 total for our family vacation group of 4. I would plan to bring just enough cash to cover tips and not too much more than that.
Water Bottle
Make sure to bring some water with you to stay hydrated, as it can get very hot in this part of South America. If needed there are a few small stands that sell water, beer, and snacks near the volcano.
Sunscreen
Before leaving make sure to put on sunscreen or bring some with you. The mud volcano doesn’t have much shade, so you’ll be exposed to the sun most of the time you’re there. Sunscreen is also a must-have for a day in the sun with kids.
Sandals or Flip Flops
It’s a good idea to bring some cheap sandals or flip-flops with you since the area surrounding the mud volcano is full of gravel. I personally recommend sandals that your feet won’t slide through, like flip-flops. I wore pool slides and with all of the mud, my feet were sliding through the front opening of the slides.
Towel
Bringing a towel is convenient for drying off. This travel-sized towel is perfect because it easily fits in a daypack and is quick-drying and absorbent.
Small Backpack
Anytime I go on a day trip I like to bring a small backpack, especially when traveling with kids. This allows me to carry water, snacks, or anything we might need while out. There are lots of options, but a day pack, backpack, or large bag works well. This is my favorite travel backpack for kiddos.
FAQ: Visiting Volcán del Totumo from Cartagena
Here are some common questions and answers about visiting Cartagena’s mud volcano.
The mud volcano is an easy day trip from Cartagena and is worth doing. Soaking in the mud is relaxing and is great for your skin due to all the rich minerals. Plus, the experience of going to a mud volcano is definitely a unique one.
When visiting the mud volcano, it’s best to wear an old swimsuit that you don’t mind getting dirty since you will be completely covered with mud. Additionally, plan to bring a coverup or change of clothes before and after you go into the mud volcano.
The mud volcano is located around 50km from Cartagena, so it is about a 1-hour drive from the city. This makes it an easy day trip option from Cartagena.
You cannot sink in the mud volcano, even if you try! This is because the mud’s density and rich minerals make it so you float rather than sink.
Volcán del Totumo isn’t that big, so there isn’t lots of room to swim around in it. You can however float around while relaxing in the mud.
The mud in the mud volcano is warm as it is heated by geothermal energy. However, it isn’t too hot or uncomfortable, so it’s perfect for relaxing in.
Conclusion: Volcán del Totumo Day Trip
Visiting Volcán del Totumo is one of the best day trips to take from Cartagena. Not only is it easy to get there, but it’s also a unique and fun experience to visit the mud volcano.
So, if you are planning a trip to Cartagena, I recommend adding a visit to Volcán del Totumo to your itinerary.
If you have more time in Cartagena, I’d also recommend adding a day trip to the beautiful Rosario Islands, which is another must-visit place in Colombia.
