Cartagena: Totumo Mud Volcano Tour & Local Snack Pickup

Summary

Totumo Mud Volcano soak with Cartagena pickup and local snacks

You’ll float in warm volcanic mud at Totumo near Cartagena, get rinsed off by friendly locals in a lakeside splash, then snack on something freshly fried while your skin feels new. Expect laughter, simple comforts, bilingual guidance, and moments that linger after you’re back in town.

What’s the experience like?

We pulled up to the Totumo Mud Volcano just as the sun started to get heavy on our backs — not too hot, but enough that you notice. There’s nothing fancy about this place, which I liked right away. Our guide, Andrés, chatted with us in both Spanish and English (he switched mid-sentence sometimes), telling stories about how the volcano isn’t really a volcano at all — more like a big muddy bubble. The steps up looked steeper than I expected. I hesitated at first, but honestly, everyone else was laughing and slipping a little so it didn’t matter.

Inside the mud? It’s weirdly weightless — you try to sink but you just float there like an awkward starfish. The smell is earthy, not bad though, and there’s this warm hush except for people giggling or calling out to friends. One of the local women offered a massage for a couple bucks; I went for it mostly out of curiosity (she grinned when I flinched — guess my shoulders were tighter than I thought). Getting out is messier than getting in. You shuffle down to the lagoon where more women wait with buckets and zero hesitation about scrubbing strangers clean. It’s quick and practical — water splashing everywhere, mud in places you didn’t know could hold mud.

I picked an arepa de huevo from the snack stand after (still steaming, crispy edges), washed down with a cold soda while we sat on plastic chairs watching other groups come and go. Andrés pointed out some birds overhead that I’d never have noticed otherwise. My skin felt oddly soft — or maybe that was just in my head because everyone kept saying so. Either way, it stuck with me longer than I expected.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit and bathe in Totumo Mud Volcano

• Travel to Totumo Mud Volcano
• Climb inside the mud volcano
• Soak in warm volcanic mud
• Enjoy optional mud massage
• Rinse off mud with local help
• Eat local snack and drink soda

Top questions

How far is Totumo Mud Volcano from Cartagena?

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

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, pickup and drop-off at your accommodation are included.

Do I need to bring anything special?

You’ll need a swimsuit for the mud bath; leave valuables in the van for safety.

Are massages or cleaning services included?

No, massages and post-mud cleaning are optional extras (about $2 USD each).

What kind of snack is served after the mud bath?

You can choose between arepa de huevo, empanada or carimañola plus a soda.

Is this tour suitable for kids?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult.

Is this experience luxury or basic?

This is a simple experience without luxury amenities; expect rustic facilities.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Cartagena by private van, bilingual guiding throughout the journey, entry to Totumo Mud Volcano with time to soak in the mineral-rich mud bath, plus your choice of local snack (arepa de huevo, empanada or carimañola) and a cold soda before heading back into town.