Weeks before we traveled to Cartagena I researched "Things to do" only to realize this destination is all about the romance of the walled city (And it should be, because it's amazing) but in our quest for adventure I came across a tour to "Volcan Totumo". Great, but there were many questions; Is this really an adventure for kids? or. Is it for the adults looking to relax? Is it more like a beauty treatment considering they say the mud can rejuvenate? or... Is it for people who are sick? And most importantly can the volcano erupt with lava while we are there?
El Totumo Mud Volcano is about an hour driving from Cartagena. The locals say the volcano once erupted with lava and ashes. The people were afraid, so a priest climbed the 50 feet high mountain and sprinkled it with holy water because they though it was the work of the devil. The ritual turned the lava into mud, that has healing powers. Today is not possible for it to produce lava, it's gone dead for centuries. (The kids absolutely loved the story as our guide explained it on the way there)
Lots of tours sell it as a "unique Colombian spa experience" and that made us doubt the trip even more. The words "Spa" and "kids" do not belong in the same sentence. But we said, let's just try it. Here is why you should absolutely have this experience with your kids when you visit Cartagena.
The Volcano is perfect for those who don't mind getting as dirty as possible, meaning kids!
There is and endless bottom (Very deep) but rest assure your kids won't drown. The high buoyancy does not let anyone go under, actually it's a truly hilarious experience trying to even remain upright in the mud.
Those who are looking for a "relaxing" experience will find themselves paying $4000 pesos (like 3 or 4 dollars) for a quick mud massage by guys inside the crater who will quickly push you aside to make room for more tourist to come. They are loud screaming directions and getting people in and out, so the relaxing part is a huge myth. Our kids actually can't forget laughing their heads off when a lady lost the bottom part of her bathing suit as they were massaging her.
Being covered in mud it's an incredible sensation and makes for great pictures with the little ones. By the way, you don't have to worry about documenting it all! For a fee of $4000 pesos ( 3 or 4 dollars) someone will get your own camera and take as many pictures of your family as you want.
Then there are the "healing properties" of the mud. The minerals in the mud are said to have therapeutic qualities - whether the Volcano will actually cure your ailments is unclear, but it definitely makes your skin feel great.
It's a quick 15 mins stroll in the mud. Because the crater is really small only 10 to 15 people fit at once. Be prepared to stand in line and be rushed out of the mud once inside.
ALERT: If you don't like your body being touched everywhere and handled by strangers don't participate in this adventure. And it's not that they do it in a weird way, it's just the nature of the process. Before you get out, someone will scrub the mud off of you to make sure it stays in the crater. Then you go down the slippery stairs to the nearby lake.
At the lake, older ladies will give you a bath like the one your mother used to give you when you were a kid. So kids will feel right at home. For $4000 pesos (you already know 3 or 4 dollars) they will scrub you down until all the mud is out. As a grown man, Ric was fine with the lady touching him everywhere because she could have been his grandmother, then she said..."Take off your underwear and remain butt naked until I wash it all". Want to know what happened? Did he stay butt naked in a lake in the middle of Colombia? > Go to the main page of the blog and look for the YouTube video (Once it's published)
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE TOUR * Round trip transportation from most Cartagena Hotels departing between 8:30 and 09:00 and arriving at 3:00 pm. * Bilingual Guide / Driver * A typical lunch and a dip in the sea in Manzanillo del Mar WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED * The massage inside the mud volcano * Your photo taken by a local
* The person helping you take off the mud at the lake.
You can book this tour anywhere in Cartagena. There are many sales offices in the city and at the hotels, but only a few tour operators, so no matter who you book with, you are likely to end up with the same people taking you there. After the volcano experience you will be taken to a local beach for lunch and some swiming time.
Although most tours include few families with kids we definitely recommend it. It's a great form of ecotourism that is fun but also safe enough. With that said... No small babies, you don't want them getting mud inside their mouths.
We hope, Volcan Totumo is another excuse to visit Cartagena with your little ones! If there are any additional questions don't hesitate to contact us.
