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Half-Day Tour to Totumo Mud Volcano from Cartagena

Name: Half-Day Tour to Totumo Mud Volcano from Cartagena
Brand: BackpackersCtg
SKU: 34334P2
Price: 59.00 USD
Rating: 4.5 (397 reviews)

Badge of ExcellenceCartagena, Colombia

5 hours
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Totumo Mud Volcano is a one-of-a-kind attraction home to mineral-infused mud that’s reputed to have healing properties. Avoid the hassle of public transport and the expense of taxis on a stress-free trip to the the volcano, which include snacks and convenient hotel pickup and drop-off. You’ll have ample time to soak in the mud bath and, unlike conventional tours from Cartagena, this excursion includes a stop at Manzanillo Beach.

Save time and travel to Totumo Mud Volcano with ease
Avoid finding a meeting point with convenient hotel pickup and drop-off
Spend ample time soaking in the mineral-infused mud
Make a bonus stop at Manzanillo Beach

What's Included

All taxes, fees and handling charges
Driver/guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)
Snacks

Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

Avenida Blas de Lezo
Av. Blas de Lezo, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Estar debajo de los pegasos para poder hacer continuidad de la actividad

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

We pick up all travelers at the hotel, so we need mandatory the location of your hotel for the pick up, please give detail information.

What To Expect

You’ll be collected from your Cartagena hotel and start the journey towards the Totumo Mud Volcano—around a 1.5-hour drive. On the way, your guide tells you about the mineral-enriched mud that makes the dormant volcano so special.

On arrival, you’ll change into clothes you don’t mind getting muddy and climb the 50 steps to the top of the volcano, before descending into the mud baths below via a ladder. You can opt for a massage or photo at the volcano for a small extra fee, paid directly to the person offering the service.

Once you’ve enriched your skin with the allegedly healing mud, you’ll head to the neighboring lake to wash yourself clean. After you’ve dried off, you’ll head back into Cartagena and stop off for either breakfast or lunch depending on the time of your tour. Your half-day experience ends with hotel drop-off.

Centro Historico

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Volcan de Lodo El Totumo

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Infants must sit on laps
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions

Most travelers can participate
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Swimsuit required inside the volcano
Each traveler is allowed a maximum of 1 suitcase and 1 carry-on bag. Oversized or excessive luggage (e.g. surfboards, golf clubs or bikes) may have certain restrictions, please inquire with the operator prior to travel to confirm if your excess luggage is acceptable
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

397 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 397 reviews

It was ok!

Shonemeca_H, Apr 2024

It was a different experience, however once we got there the volcano was really full of people. The steps going up the volcano were very steep and the ones going down were awkward, slippery and scary. One must make sure they hold on at al times or the could go tumbling down hill. After waiting in the hot sun for my turn it was still crowded once I got in. The mud it self was real great, there's no bottom and you actually float. Once out you had to go to the river and rinse off. Gross to me only because I'm a real germaphobia. The water was nasty and everyone were in a small area using the same water. I didn't feel any different once the mineral was off me. My skin felt the same. This was a one and done for me.

Could find cheaper

aduran1, Apr 2024

The ride was 1 hour each way and they pick you up from your hotel. You’re only in the mud for 15-20 mins. It’s a very small pool of mud and there are several people waiting for get in around you. We spent like a hour at the place. I wouldn’t probably not booked had I known

So many missed opportunities for a good experience. Major fail.

Maree_B, Apr 2024

We signed up for the 1pm volcano experience in Cartagena wanting a local adventure. They stated that they would only wait 5 minutes past the 1:15pm pick up time and we would be left if not there, so we arrived 15min early. We waited in the brutal sun in a spot with no shade available and they were 20 min late themselves. We boarded a hot bus with a broken air conditioning and sat there continuing to roast for another 25 minutes while they ran around looking for other lost guests! It was very frustrating, since we were told they wouldn't wait. Then we picked up other people for 20 minutes around town. They said it was 30 minutes from the last pick up and it ended up being well over an hour drive to the volcano! Every seat was filled and everyone was complaining about not having any air conditioning and it being incredibly hot. The volcano experience was also disappointing. It was packed. We were supposed to get massages in the volcano by local women, but it was two perverted men who literally would push you out of the way to get to the young girls in bikinis so they can rub mud all over their mostly naked bodies. Disgusting. It was very slippery up and down the ladder and they take your shoes so you have to walk back on rocks and dirt to get to the "lagoon" area, which was green and brown water. Older local women insisted on cleaning you off with bowls and tried to take off your clothes in this public setting. Afterwards, we had a snack and a drink that was included. Other women also offered you snacks while in the food area. Then, they would demand $5 for one small snack after you ate it, when we were thinking it was the included snack! As we were packing up to leave, everyone swarmed for their "optional" tips. They were pretty relentless and then came onto the bus to pass the hat in addition. The one bathroom "facility" was beyond repulsive and the one toilet didn't flush and no running sink water. I'll spare you further description of the filth. We were very late getting back and only had 45 minutes to spare before our cruise ship left. This all made for a funny story to tell our friends with some crazy pictures, but I would never do this again or recommend it. (Did I mention one of the tour guides was drinking whiskey with the guests on the way back!) This attraction has a lot of potential to be a memorable experience in Cartagena and to enhance the local economy, if only it were done properly.

Scam! Don’t Book!

Ryan_P, Mar 2024

Do not book this tour! This is through a local 3rd party site (Backpackersctg) and they never arrived to pick us up for our tour. After being told two different pick up locations the night before the trip, we finally confirmed and arrived early to the destination the next morning. After waiting 45 min and reaching out the tour operator several times, we finally called Backpackers, only to be told they couldn’t find us and left! Don’t waste precious time on your trip. Your hotel concierge can find you a driver for a fraction of the price & better customer service

Get your mud on!

Fatou_S, Feb 2024

This was an amazing experience, much recommended. Tour guide was knowledgable, answered questions, paid attention to details/requests and made sure all participants felt safe and had fun. Body felt amazing after!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Que bueno que hayan alcanzado las bondades del lodo

Great time!

Alex_F, Feb 2024

We really had a great time and thought it was a good value. Our tour guide Jose was great. He prepared us well for what to expect and gave us good advice on how to handle solicitations, tips , etc. The mud experience was well organized. The complimentary empanadas were delicious. Thank you!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

gracias por elegirnos y disfrutar de nuestra experiencia esperamos nos refieran con amigos y familiares

Super experienced

joel_v, Dec 2023

This trip had quite some bad reviews so I was a little worried to go. However, it was really amazing experience. And the things other people complained about I did not experience. Maybe also because I did the trip on xmas day: so it was quiet on the road and also at the place we were the first to arrive so as there were no other people waiting we could stay in the mud pool for much longer. It is an experience you cannot describe as you float in the mud. It is similar to floating in the dead sea for those who have been there. Other thing was the harassment about tips: Backpackers now took care of this by instructing us clearly not to give individual tips, but only one tip combined by the group at the end.

Response from Host, Dec 2023

thank you very much for your comment, we are glad to hear that you had a good experience and that you enjoyed our volcano tour, we are always here to satisfy your needs, we hope you come back soon.

Great Guides but Beware of the volcano massage members

shiann_c, Dec 2023

The guide and driver were Amazing and very communicative about what to expect upon arrival and departure! They were not allowed to accompany us to the actual volcano but we were accompanied by staff who held our cell phones and made sure to take amazing pictures. There was one Man who’s name started with an A that I would recommend all women stay clear of. He was very inappropriate while giving massages that were included. Myself and 2 other women had the same experience with him insisting we touch his private parts while in the volcano and since you cannot see through the mud we believe he took full advantage in making us uncomfortable. He was wearing a brown hat and had his name tattooed on his right arm. I’ll provide pictures for single/ women only groups to look out for if possible. The other members of the massage team were professional and quick but the creepy guy stays in with us the whole time and we all agreed that he took things too far! (This isn’t the tour guide or the driver or the amazing person who held our phones, this was a member of the “massage” staff who were waiting for us inside the volcano) The ladies who bathed the mud off of me in a nearby lake after the volcano were great also! I really wish we could have tipped them all individually because everyone and everything else was great outside of the creepy pervert guy!

Response from Host, Dec 2023

Thank you very much for your comment, we are glad you enjoyed our activity. We are sorry to hear what happened with the person you mentioned, we will be attentive.

Perfect trip

Ryan_B, Dec 2023

It was amazing, would do this again. One of the best visiting place in the world. Love love love it.

Response from Host, Dec 2023

Thank you very much for your comment, we are glad you enjoyed our activity we are always here to give you the best experience

Bad experience

Arnaldo_R, Nov 2023

The bus no have air conditioning, the volcano is broken and the restaurants are so bad and dirty. No recommend that tour !!!

Response from Host, Nov 2023

We are very sorry that you had to go through this situation, we will take into account your recommendations we are to improve.

Colombia Mud Slide

LaTranda_D, Nov 2023

I love the experience definitely worth it. I will recommend everyone that’s visited Colombia 🇨🇴 please go.

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Thank you very much for your comment, we love that you recommend us to more people who visit us.

Left a lot to be desired.

Jerene_T, Nov 2023

Our guide Viktor was great and explained everything well. However I’m not sure this tour was really worth it to be honest. The van we took the AC left a lot to be desired with lots of body heat. When we finally arrived after an hour, we were glad there was no wait. We climbed down into mound of mud. Spent about 20 min. The massage lasted about 10 min. Then we went down to the lake. Based on other reviews we were prepared for the women at the lake, who wanted to wash every crevice and orifice. If we had allowed the women would have stripped us naked. No thanks Ma’am. We then had a quick snack (empanada). That trip deserved more than a snack. At the end Viktor suggested collecting the tips while seated in the van. One person didn’t listen (there is always one). The locals swarmed the van for tips. My husband and I were very firm and the locals backed up from us. One couple felt overwhelmed by the swarm. Viktor tried his best. I wished we had chosen another tour and taken Viktor to that tour.

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Thank you very much for your comment we will take notes of the things mentioned in order to improve, as our intention is always to provide a quality service to our customers.

The best. Period.

chanel_c, Nov 2023

Angel was AMAZING. Literally the best we spoke a lot, and I learned a lot about Cartagena. We even got sugar cane juice and sugar cane and I got to juice the sugar cane. Super cool. He made the experience extremely personal and I will forever be greatful. If I could give 10 stars I would.

Response from Host, Nov 2023

I'm glad to hear that you had an amazing experience with Angel in Cartagena! It sounds like you had a great time and learned a lot about the city. Angel made the experience personal and memorable for you, which is always a wonderful thing when exploring a new place. It's great that you got to try sugar cane juice

Horrible experience

Janae_B, Nov 2023

This was just nasty and horrible. I didn’t even want to get in. There was flies and nats everywhere. The staircase to climb up to the volcano was not secure. Very dangerous and I will never do this or recommend to anyone.

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Thank you very much for your comment, we are sorry the place was not to your liking.

Great experience

Jamaal_L, Nov 2023

The tour guide was helpful, The tour itself was a dope experience and the locals were friendly. The only bad part was the lunch/snack that was offered.

Response from Host, Nov 2023

It's great to hear that the tour guide was helpful and that you had a positive experience overall.

They were running late...

Akkowa_A, Oct 2023

They were running late and so we had to forfeit our trip to make sure we caught our flight. They refused to refund our money even though they were the reason we missed. 😢

Response from Host, Nov 2023

We regret the situation that occurred on this day due to the delay issues, however, we are still happy with our experience.

Must experience!

diandrabrice, Oct 2023

The history and people were friendly and the experience was out of this world. The commute from our hotel was a bit long, however the tour guide made it fun along the journey.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Hello! On behalf of Backparkers, we appreciate your positive comments about our service. We are glad that the trip from your hotel to Cartagena, although long, was enjoyable thanks to your guide. Our goal is to provide a wonderful and attentive experience to our clients during every trip. team Backpackersctg

Brokedown Experience with Backpackers

Ebony_B, Oct 2023

The tour group Backpackers could not provide the service and experience paid for. First the time slot we selected was changed to a later time. Once we were picked up and finally on the way the vehicle broke down. We were on the roadside for at least 1.5 hours. Due to the frustration and time/schedule conflict with other events, we no longer wanted to continue the trip. We were told we would have to go because 2 people out of 8 still wanted to go or find our own way back. We told them we were not going, refund our money and that they were going to take us back like they picked us up. They talked to the other people who finally agreed to return. However, the reason they wanted to go is the day before, with the same tour group, they got a punctured tire and couldn’t continue the tour. Lastly, the refund was not automatic as it should have been since they couldn’t provide the service, we had to request but it was issued in 24-48 hours. I would like to do this excursion just not with this tour group. We know other people that went with different groups and had a great experience.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

I understand that this was very disappointing as you were not able to experience the excursion as you had anticipated. It is understandable that situations like this can affect the travel experience and create frustration. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, unforeseen setbacks can occur. I hope that despite this experience, you had the opportunity to enjoy other activities and places during your trip.

Make sure vehicles are maintained

BRITTANY_K, Oct 2023

Van broke down when we were about 15 minutes away from the excursion. It took 2 hours to get a back up vehicle. We didn't get to experience the excursion and we anticipated it. Very disappointing

Response from Host, Oct 2023

I am very sorry to hear that you had problems with the van during the excursion and that it took 2 hours to get a support vehicle. I understand that this was very disappointing as you were not able to experience the excursion as you had anticipated. It is understandable that situations like this can affect the travel experience and create frustration. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, unforeseen setbacks can occur. I hope that despite this experience, you had the opportunity to enjoy other activities and places during your trip.

This some bs

Genesis_R, Oct 2023

The car broke down while on our way to the exvurauin never got to go...They weren't trying to give our money back

Response from Host, Oct 2023

I am very sorry to hear that the car broke down on the way to the tour and that you were unable to make the tour. I understand that this can be frustrating, it is possible that there was some confusion or misunderstanding about the refund. Sometimes it gets out of hand when a vehicle breaks down and we always try to fix it as soon as possible.

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