Join UsInto the Mouth of A Volcano In Colombia
Cartagena, Colombia
Sea of humanity, covered in mud
“It’s kinda gross. I don’t think I’m going to jump in.”
That’s what I said as I looked down upon the pit of mud filled with mud-covered limbs that are attached to dozens of mud-covered people.
Jack was unfazed and couldn’t wait to jump in, but do take a look at that picture above. Tell me you don’t feel just a little squeamish?
What is Vulcan del Totumo?
Vulcan del Totumo (or Volcán de Lodo El Totumo) is a mini mud volcano located about 45 minute drive from Cartagena, Colombia where we have stayed for the last 4 days. When I said mini — I mean it. It’s only a wee 15 m high off the ground (but one source says that is hundreds of feet deep – I tried not to think about it). Instead of spewing lava and other stuff that can kill you, it gently spews mud.
The price tag deterred us at first, but after we decided to hold off on our travel south until after Semana Santa, we started to look outside of the town of Cartagena for things to do… So, why not?
Chest deep in mud
Well, after much coaxing from Jack, I try to ignore the fact that thousands of bodies have all been in this mud pit, and I climbed in.
Hielo from the mud pit
It was not… unpleasant. The mud was lukewarm and of the consistency of yogurt. Jack described it as ‘melted marshmallow’. And once I got over it, it was not bad. It was actually fun. Not like, roller coaster fun, but more like… this is such a weird feeling fun.
The thick mud makes your bodies buoyant and even though you can’t touch the bottom, the mud is so thick you end up standing on top of the viscous liquid. I imagine this what must feel like to be back in your mother’s womb. Minus the other people of course.
It can be hard to move around, not only because of the swarm of bodies around me but because the mud makes your movement unpredictable.
Many times I found myself flat on my stomach and Jack had to help me back to standing position again.
One lady was so freaked out she was clawing at me to help her gain her balance. She should trim her nails. I still have her claw marks on my shoulder.
But I digress. We ended up having a good time being pushed, pulled, losing our balance, and getting our faces splattered by mud. Much more fun than I expected actually.
We were in the pit for about 15-20 minutes and once the novelty wore off we were ready wash the mud off at a nearby lagoon. There were ladies with buckets on hand just in case you needed help. And if you’re traveling by yourself it might be worth it to get their help (2000 COP) because the mud doesn’t just wash off, it needs to get scrubbed off.
Is Cartagena’s Mud Volcano worth a visit?
35000 COP pp (40000 COP in high season) + 2000 COP as tip, booked from Casa Viena
1 USD = 1800 COP
That was our biggest question when signing up.
I’m hesitant to give it a strong recommendation. For 40000 COP that’s quite a large sum of money for the area. However, the fact that we got to see the area outside of Cartagena that we would otherwise not have seen and got to meet other travelers made it worthwhile. If you only have a couple of days in Cartagena, exploring the old city would be better use of your time.
But if you’re staying longer, why not check it out?
Crazy-ness in the mud mosh pit
When will be the next time you get to muck around in a bottomless mud pit?
Even though it looks so busy I still want to go…being in that mud looks incredible!!! Did your skin feel really great afterwards?
Elise recently posted..One Muddy Day In Hue City
When I first went to that volcano years ago there was no one there. I don’t even think it was in the guide book. I had the place to myself… kind of a shame to see it packed like that. But still a cool experience.
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Many of those people don’t have smiles on their faces…
Matthew Karsten recently posted..Daily Travel Photo- The Cloud Bridge
Lol, except for us, right? The old lady who clawed at me for fear of sinking definitely didn’t have a smile on her face.
I said definitely go until I see how much it costs, yuck! Is it because the place is far away? Anything else included?
We went to a mud volcano in Saint Lucia (Caribbean) and I had the reaction like Jack, eager to jumped in, and Ryan like you. The mud was rather thin there, more like regular water. here and there you can grab thicker mud. But the pool itself was quite runny.
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Yeah, it was on the pricey side. It included lunch and transport – that’s it.
Like your post, nice mix of story and recommendation. But 40,000 COP, did you get the Gringo price??
Since we arranged it through a hostel in Getsemani – no doubt! You can get there individually (by taxi or whatever) and the entrance fee is only about 5000 COP I think. It’s the getting there part that’s tricky. I don’t think there’s any buses that go there.
Wait – so could you stand up in it or were you “treading water”? or “mud?”
You mention its really deep…so am very curious.
Sounds like it might be good for the skin too?
Anita recently posted..Please- Don’t Be A Pretentious Traveler Part II
Nope. Not treading it. We were all just ‘stuck’ in it because the mud is so thick. It’s hard to describe. And yes, the mud is supposed to have all sorts of good things for your skin.
Glad you stepped to the edge and took that plunge!
Accelerated Stall recently posted..Head Shots
Fantastic! Glad to see you stepped to the edge and took that plunge.
Accelerated Stall recently posted..Midnight Babysitter
It looks like fun, but lots of people. I think mud can get off wrinkles in the skin
Rabihat recently posted..Exercises You Can Do to Lose Man Boobs
That’s the theory at least. It was a blast!
I think I would have a hard time too with all of the people and the mud. Did you feel a bit claustrophobic? I think I would go in an empty mud pit but not a crowded one.
Suzy recently posted..Traveler’s Block
No, not so much claustrophobic but more like squeamish being so close to so many half naked bodies.
Wow! That looks creepy with all those people enveloped in the mud and in such close proximity to each other! It would make a great scene in a zombie horror movie!
Sure looks like a blast though!
Ken Kaminesky recently posted..The Dead Sea in Jordan – Natural Wonder of the World You bet it is!
We did a mud bath in NZ and my skin felt so amazing afterward! I’m sure yours does, too.
If we had gotten up there this would have been the top of my list!
Jillian recently posted..Good- Bad- Ugly- Hotels
This makes me think of one hot spring resort I visited. The pools were full of naked people, many of them who were getting too frisky with each other, and it made me a little nervous about jumping in especially after seeing floaties in the water. :/ This actually sounds pretty fun though. I can’t believe you have to have the mud scraped off!
Christy @ Ordinary Traveler recently posted..Photo of the Week- Nepali Mountain Beauty in a Red Dress 6
AH! So glad you decided to go, where else can you get rubbed and scrubbed by nature? I remember when we went I didn’t want the old men massaging me at first then I gave in. But I drew the line at the old ladies by the river! Not paying someone to wash down my parts!!!
Mica recently posted..Avocado Wontons
Looks like fun – I’m never one to shy away from mud. The only turn off is all those people…
Rebecca recently posted..Photo of the Week- Waiting for the rain- Thailand
At least you can say you’ve soaked yourself in a volcano. I think I would totally do it, too. Though being in something with the consistency of yogurt might be hard to overcome. Belated welcome to Columbia!
Thanks, Sherry. Colombia has been really great so far. The mud thing didn’t bother me so much as the fact of having to share it with so many people. Very high ick factor for me. Still, I’m glad I did it though.
Am I doing my math wrong or is it around $23/e USD?? Seem cheap to me!! Looks fun, thanks for sharing!
Lol, I guess it’s all relative. It’s about 2 days worth of accommodation here or about 5 meals. So yes, compared to the US living it’s not too bad, but for here in Colombia it’s a little bit on the pricey side.
I actually read about this somewhere and wanted to give it a go however my wife wasnt really in a hurry to get mud in her hair. I hear it is great for the skin.
That looks adventurous! You sound like you’re in two minds about the experience, but I guess travelling’s like that! You get an experience always, but was it an enjoyable one? Still sounds very worthwhile though and I love the pics!
Paul
Paul Goodman recently posted..British and American differences part 4- Driving in Florida
Mud is supposed to be really good for your skin! Like Jack, I think I would try it. I wouldn’t worry as much about all the other people in it. If it got too crowded I probably wouldn’t want to get in but all the mud doesn’t bother me. Now the price – that’s another issue.
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Yeah, the mud is supposed to contain all sorts of minerals that are good for your skin. We really didn’t notice it ourselves but I guess it will take longer than a 15 min splashing around to get the benefit. It was still fun though.
I don’t know if I’d want to go in with that many people, it looks quite crowded. But getting a chance to play in the mud sounds like a lot of fun.
Alouise recently posted..Road Trip Memories Week 5 – Everybody Must Get Stoned
That was the biggest factor of ‘ick’ for me as well – but as soon as I got over it, I was ok with it. And playing with mud was so much fun.
Too funny! I don’t know if I’d want to jump in with all those people too- and that last photo- wow!
I think I’ve seen this photo before. But it was Vegas. And it was Jello…
Raymond recently posted..Semana Santa- Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala — Night Procession
Too funny, Raymond. From the sound of it compared to yours, our Vegas experiences have been really tame
Glad you had fun!! I loved it – wish I made it back this time :\
Roy recently posted..Go To El Totumo Mud Volcano- Not By Taxi
The smiles on your faces say it all!!! Yup, a mud orgy indeed!
Skott and Shawna recently posted..The List That Never Ends- RTW To Do still
Oh wow. This is definitely now on my to do list! (The secret pig inside me says)
It’s incredible how it is so deep when it looks like everyone is standing on the bottom.
Rob W. recently posted..6 things I have learnt being married to a Chilean
I know. We just heard today from someone that his group tried to push each other down into the mud but they couldn’t do it. The mud was just way too thick.
Loved this experience, but holy human soup was it ever packed when you did it. We were lucky when we went in there was only about 7 people and we got massaged and got to lie down and swim around and stuff. Dalene and I really laughed at the rinsing down afterwards too, they were quite aggressive, but it was fun nonetheless.
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Yeah — it was packed!! I’m assuming it was because it’s high season? Wondering if the afternoon group would’ve been quieter.
I visited the volcano. Like you, I was hesitant at first because of the price. But we got a group of people together and hired a taxi who waited at the entrance for us while we slopped around in the mud and then drove us home. It was about the same price but the advantage was that we timed it so that we weren’t there at the same time as all the other tourists (we arrived as the morning group was leaving and before the afternoon group arrived). We also enjoyed a beer and a laugh with the stall holders. It ended up being a fabulous afternoon! Happy travels!
@dodgylodgey
We thought about that, but we couldn’t find anybody who wanted to go with us
Having the volcano by yourself must have been a blast.
OMG!!! This looks so badass and so much fun! I imagine your skin must have been flawless afterwards.
Sheryll recently posted..Viva Las Vegas
Hahahaaa… I wish. I think it would take much longer than a 15 min soak in a mud
Wow, that looks so fun! I want to do it!!
Lauren recently posted..I Bought My Backpack!
You guys are brave to jump in! Did you skin feel baby soft afterwards and what did you do with your camera after you took the picture?
Well, there were people working for tips that would take your camera and take pics of you. You’ll then get it back after washing up (and after giving them the tip of course). Some of those peeps had about 10 cameras hanging from their wrist at one time.
Wow. Looks… fun? So when you say bottomless… how did you stand? I’m confused. Oh, and what’s the exchange of COP’s and dollars?
Kim recently posted..Help Us Travel The World!
Well, it’s so thick and buoyant that you’re just… well, stuck in it. You just stand on top of the mud itself — I know it sounds weird, that’s why it was such a unique experience. And oh 1USD = 1800 COP, I’ll edit the post to mention that. Thanks.
I want to do this so badly!
Erica recently posted..Lucha Libre in Sayulita- Mexico
Oh wow I dont know if I could do that… it seems so dirty…lol!!! I think I could, I just wouldn’t want that many people in there with me.
Jaime recently posted..Photo Round Up – Week 8
Yah, seriously the idea of sharing that small of a space with so many people wearing so little clothing freaked me out a bit. That was probably as close to an orgy as I would ever, ever get.
Mud. Scantily clad people. I thought it would be right down your alley, Jaime
Looks like you two are off to an d”ooze”y of a start!
Dyanne@TravelnLass recently posted..So You Wanna Be an Intl Tour Operator- Huh Part IV the FINAL!
Lol — your’re too much, Dyanne
Yeah ok, it does look a little weird, but I think I would try it. Was your skin softer after washing off the mud? That would be a great incentive for me
Angela recently posted..A Carnival of local markets around the world
I can honestly say this is something I’ve never done. I bet your skin is super silky now, though!
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