Cartagena: Totumo Mud Volcano Bath & Beach Lunch Day Trip

Summary

Cartagena’s mud volcano soak and a beachside costeño lunch

You’ll float in warm volcanic mud at Totumo Volcano just outside Cartagena, then rinse off and head to Manzanillo del Mar for a traditional fried fish lunch right on the sand. Expect laughter, local stories from your guide, and that gentle Caribbean breeze as you dry off by the sea — it’s an experience you’ll remember every time you feel sand between your toes.

What’s the experience like?

“If you drop your ring in the mud, don’t worry — we’ll find it,” joked our driver as we bounced along the road out of Cartagena. I thought he was kidding, but by the time we reached the Totumo Mud Volcano, I could see why he said it. The place is basically a giant, grayish cup of thick, warm mud — way more buoyant than I expected. Climbing up those uneven wooden steps with the salty breeze in my face, I hesitated for a second before lowering myself in. The texture was… odd? Kind of silky and dense at the same time. There were locals inside who gently guided us around (and yes, they really do help if you lose anything). My skin felt slippery and weirdly clean after — hard to explain unless you’ve done it.

After rinsing off with buckets of lake water (cold but necessary), we piled back into the van still laughing about how light everyone felt in the mud. Our guide, Andrés, kept telling stories about his grandmother using volcanic clay for her knees — he swears by it. We drove on to Manzanillo del Mar for lunch. You could smell fried fish before you even saw the ocean. Lunch was pescado frito with coconut rice and patacón — simple but so good after all that floating around. Sitting there under a faded umbrella with sand stuck between my toes, watching kids play soccer on the beach… honestly, I didn’t want to leave yet.

I keep thinking about that strange silence when you’re half-submerged in mud and can only hear people’s laughter echoing off the rim of the volcano. It’s not what I pictured when I booked a day trip from Cartagena to Totumo Mud Volcano — maybe that’s why it stuck with me more than any postcard view ever does.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Mud bath and beach relaxation

• Arrive at Totumo Mud Volcano
• Take a mud bath for skin
• Relax with a short mud massage
• Shower with clean water
• Enjoy typical lunch at Manzanillo del Mar
• Spend afternoon at the beach

Top questions

How far is Totumo Mud Volcano from Cartagena?

It’s about 45 minutes by car from central Cartagena.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

The tour includes pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle.

What should I bring to Totumo Mud Volcano?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sandals or flip-flops, and maybe a change of clothes.

Is lunch included on this Cartagena day trip?

Yes, a typical costeño lunch (fried fish, coconut rice, salad, patacón) is included at Manzanillo del Mar beach.

Are guides or locals present at Totumo Mud Volcano?

Yes, locals are there to help inside the volcano and guides accompany you throughout.

Can infants join this tour?

Infants are allowed but must sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended due to stairs and uneven surfaces.

What’s included

Your day includes entry to Totumo Mud Volcano with guidance from locals inside the crater, bottled water during transport, air-conditioned transfers from Cartagena city center to each stop, plus a traditional costeño lunch of fried fish with coconut rice and patacón served right on Manzanillo del Mar beach before heading back in the afternoon.