Tour to the Mud Volcano in Cartagena with Lunch
Badge of Excellence
Cartagena, Colombia
- 5 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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What's Included
- Lunch
- Travel insurance assistance
- Air-conditioned vehicleRoundtrip transportation from Cartagena
- Admission Fee - Entrance to the El Totumo Mud Volcano
- Guided accompaniment (English and Spanish)
- Free time to enjoy the volcano
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Massages inside the volcano (tip)COP10,000.00 per person
- Lagoon cleaning service (tips)COP10,000.00 per person
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to your preferred meeting point, or request pickup.
Operating hours.8:00 am
Itinerary
1
Torre del Reloj
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
2
Cartagena
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
3
Volcan de Lodo El Totumo
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
4
Ciénaga Del Totumo
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Cartagena
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Hotel Coco Beach Rooftop & Beach Club
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
7
Cartagena
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- Full Names and Passport Number information is required to be added to traveler insurance assistance.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.5
based on 165 reviews
Destiny_W, Feb 2026
This was an extremely memorable day for my mother and I. Our guide stayed with us the entire day and gave a clear run down on what to expect for day. From how much to tip the locals who were working the volcano ,even being a buffer to make sure we weren’t being overcharged, to what lunch and the pool day(dangerous beach conditions)would consist of. She was a gem and made a huge impact on how great the day went. This is such a great deal, make sure you book!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
It's great to read your comment, thank you for trusting us and I'm glad you enjoyed your experience. A big hug from the Unique Travel team
Frank_D, Jan 2026
A different kind of experience that you do once in your lifetime. The mud bath is crowded but still relaxing. While you are told the massages, cleaning and holding of items is optional it is not really so expect to pay 40000 pesos per person while you are there. Be sure to have cash. The beach following the mud bath is the same beach at Marbella. Not the cleanest but not the worst. There is a pool you can swim in as well. Lunch was decent.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Hello, good afternoon, thank you for your comment. Regarding the additional services, they are only available if you request them; otherwise, they do not charge you for a service not received.
Eline_P, Dec 2025
We did a few tours in Colombia and this guide was the best one! David is super friendly and goes above and beyond, we definitely recommend doing this activity on this tour!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you so much for your comment. We're delighted you enjoyed your activity. Unique Travel and the entire team do everything possible to ensure you enjoy your vacation.
KAWAN_A, Dec 2025
AMAZING!!! A must do N Cartagena. The drive 2 this mountain of mineral mud is not far from the city. Our guide was funny, informative and engaging. The playa stop and lunch on the way back was so refreshing. ENJOY!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Hello, thank you for your comments. Unique Travel appreciates your honesty about your
experience
Andrew_S, Nov 2025
The "volcano" is a man made mud mound with a hole in the top and mud inside. You get to spend about 15-20 minutes in it depending on how many tourists are there. The locals push an mud massage (rubbing mud on your back for 30 seconds) for 10K, hold your shoes for 10K, help you wash mud off at the lake for 10K. You about have to fight to refuse these services. Minus the locals trying to get the extras it was sort of a neat experience.
After the mud you go to a little beach hotel for lunch, pool, and ocean. Reasonable prices on alcohol and no one harasses you there.
My guide was great. Probably one of the highlights of the trip.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hello, thank you for your comments. Unique Travel appreciates your honesty about your experience; however, the volcano is completely natural, not artificial as you have stated. Sincerely, Yeniffer Osorio
Donna_W, Nov 2025
This was a wonderful tour. They graciously agreed to pick us up at our hotel that is near the airport. This saved us both time and money by not having to go down to old city to meet them.
Tour guys were super friendly and helpful in preparing us as to what to expect at the volcano. I know a lot of people complain about the tipping that’s involved, but if you want, you can manage without tipping. You can leave your shoes, towel, and all your clothes on the bus and walk out in bare feet. You can give your camera to someone else on the tour to take your pictures. Or, you can support local people. Your choice.
Our bus had a slight breakdown, which is not uncommon in developing countries. However, they got us to the mud volcano and went to go fix the bus while we waited. It took a little bit longer than expected, but I didn’t mind. You can just soak in the views and we all just relaxed, read books, and had snacks at the local restaurant.
The mud experience was amazing... Nothing like I experienced! The mud is so soft and thick, yet you can float! Our tour guide took a picture of us with his phone when we got out of the mud, and were kind enough to send us the picture the next day, which I know is extra effort for them!
They made up the lost time waiting for the bus to be fixed at the beach club. This was a great experience where you had a choice of both pool or beach, both were great. Lunch was also delicious as well!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for your message 💚
The Totumo Volcano is a magical place where nature and local traditions meet. We love that you were able to connect with the locals, learn about their customs, and enjoy the cultural authenticity that characterizes this experience.
Your visit directly contributes to community tourism, supporting the families who keep this ancient tradition alive. 🙌
Breanna_R, Sep 2025
I would not recommend . They’re way too money hungry around here . They kept me and my friends shoes on the floor by the mud volcano . Not in a locker or a safe space away from the mud just nothing and had the nerves to charge us for keeping our shoes just out in the open on the floor. They’re too desperate for money and nothing but scammers . They held our van hostage until we paid them for keeping our shoes on the floor . Plus the actual mud volcano you’re waiting like 3 hours to only be allowed in for like 5 minutes max . Very unprofessional and unpleasant experience
Response from Host, Oct 2025
It's a pleasure to greet you. I understand that your experience wasn't the best. I apologize in advance. However, please remember that the guide provides information during the activity and also sends you information describing the activity days beforehand, allowing you to decide whether or not to take additional services. These services are not part of our services. Therefore, it's important to inform us whether or not you wish to receive these additional services.
Sincerely,
Yeniffer Osorio
Nancy_J, Jul 2025
Got picked up at my hotel at the time I was told. It was a large tour bus and we continued to pick up people along the way.
I wasn't sure what to expect and the actual mud part was smaller than I thought it would be, but it was a lot of fun!
They offer many different services including massages in the mud and also photograph. You pay for the services you use.
The mud is body temperature and super thick, you are "standing" upright but not touching the ground! My skin felt amazing afterwards.
After rinsing off it was off to lunch at a nice place with a pool right on the beach.
Dropped back off at my hotel.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Hello, thank you very much for your beautiful comment.
Nicola_B, Jun 2025
From start to finish, this was an amazing birthday experience. From the communication to the guide, to the timeliness, everything about tis excursion was great. This is a must do activity in Columbia. Thank you guys, I enjoyed myself.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Hello, I'm glad to know that you enjoyed the activity, thank you very much for your trust.
LESLEY_A, Jun 2025
Pickups at the nearest location to all hotels was very accommodating thank you Nevis. Going in the morning is highly suggested to avoid wait time. Locals available for mud photos/videos, deep massage, & river cleansing for tips only. Otherwise do not get service to avoid hostility. All 3 services are equivalent to $10 USD. Coco Beach was nice too.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
I'm glad you enjoyed the experience.
Jennifer_R, May 2025
repared!
Overall, the experience was amazing! Transportation was smooth — they even offered to pick us up, which was a nice touch. There was a bit of confusion about the ride back, but the guy handling it was super helpful and even offered to pay for our transportation home. That kind of service is rare and very appreciated.
One major highlight that sets this experience apart from other Airbnb or excursion listings is access to the beach club — none of the other options offer this! It was such a fun bonus and made the day feel like a full getaway. Plus, the lunch was actually really good — it’s the first time I didn’t feel like I was starving during an excursion. Everything was well-organized, and we felt taken care of the entire time.
Just a heads-up: the clay/mud from the volcano will definitely stick to your clothes, so wear something you don’t mind possibly losing. Also, bring lots of small bills — they charge for everything, from taking pictures to rinsing off, and most services are around 5,000 COP each.
Highly recommend this experience — just go prepared, and you’ll have a blast!
Response from Host, May 2025
This is a great detailed description of the activity, I'm glad you enjoyed it. We do our best to make sure you meet your expectations with our experiences.
Kharanina_M, Apr 2025
This was a great experience! Let me start off by say Nevis our tour guide was amazing she informed us of everything to expect. I've read the reviews and was a bit hesitant at first because of what I read about the locals and their expectation of tips, but Nevis told us to give her the money and she would pay them so they wouldn't try to make us pay more because we were foreigners, so we just gave her the money for the services used which was 2 usd each (in my case was shoes and photo) and she paid them so we didn't have to worry about being harassed. Lunch was delicious and the hotels and beach were clean and beautiful. This was all around a pleasant excursion and I would definitely recommend it with Nevis.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
I'm very happy to read this comment. We're working hard to help native speakers improve their services. Thank you very much.
Sade_W, Mar 2025
Absolutely loved my time. The guides were caring, fun, and attentive. Would definitely book with them again. The guava candy at the end also a sweet finishing touch.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you very much for your nice comment, we appreciate it very much.
Adilah_R, Feb 2025
Be prepared to be muddy. Like super muddy!!! Be prepared to be immersed and surrounded by a lot of people once in the mud.
It was an overall good experience. We would do it again. The massage was good. My skin was very soft afterwards.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you very much for your comment, I am glad to know that you enjoy the activity.
Frances_E, Nov 2024
While I don't regret this experience and got some great pictures, it wouldn't be the top thing I'd recommend in Cartagena. No explaination on the origins or background of this mud volcano was provided. When you go you are given the heads up of extra "services" you can pay for such as pictures (with your personal phone) being taken and having the mud washed off you. What isn't explained is how pushy everyone is involved with this experience. I had to tell the guy in the mud I didn't want a massage which he still attempted to charge me for afterwards. The woman helping me wash the mud tried to charge me more than the price told by our tour guide. And after we got on the bus the guides let the mud volcano workers on the bus to essentially shake people down for money. We then went to a hotel pool/beach spot that we spent way too much time at. It wasn't a bad experience but you can skip it.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you very much for your comment
Claude_G, Oct 2024
The journey to Cartagena's famous mud volcano was smooth, with our bus delivering us safely to this unique attraction. What sets this experience apart isn't just the novelty of floating in a mineral-rich mud bath, but the array of services that come with it.
Our tour guides were upfront about the various services offered during the excursion, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. From personal belongings security to photography and post-mud cleanup, these services enhance the overall experience significantly.
Key points:
- Towel holders keep your items clean and dry
- Photographers capture your muddy memories
- Guards watch over your belongings
- Helpers assist in cleaning off stubborn mud
While it might seem overwhelming at first, these services prove invaluable. The best part? They're incredibly affordable, especially when compared to U.S. prices.
Pro tip: Embrace these services. They allow you to fully immerse yourself in the experience without worrying about logistics or cleanliness afterwards.
The mud volcano excursion offers a unique, slightly chaotic, but ultimately enjoyable adventure. It's a quintessential Cartagena experience that combines natural wonders with local entrepreneurship.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
wow! I really liked this description, thank you very much for your comments
David_M, Sep 2024
El tocayo David, he took good care. Thank you! The place were we have lunch very clean good food and drinks.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Thank you very much for your comment
Lakeytria, Aug 2024
David was wonderful host really enjoyed the tour from the mud 🫣 which wasnt my thing but hop in and jump right out to the lake down to coco beach was great time and wonderful food with the best drink ever coco passion ohh we that was some good stuff
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you very much for your comment, I really appreciate that you enjoyed the activity and trusting Unique Travel
Taschia_D, Apr 2024
Book it! We met at a central location. Eliana was our guide and she took good care of us. We took an air conditioned bus to the mud volcano and then to a resort to enjoy lunch. The resort was meh but good for the price. The experience was great just be ware that everything costs. The massages in the volcano, the ladies waiting at the pond to help you clean, the photographer, etc. Tip 10,000 cop individually which is equivalent to $4usd
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you very much for your comment, we appreciate it very much.
Tony_B, Mar 2024
It was a unique experience and I truly enjoyed it. The tour guide was amazing 5 stars! The locals can be hounding so be prepared and don’t let anyone do anything for you unless you are prepared to tip! Literally anything
Response from Host, Mar 2024
You have given an excellent and brief explanation of the events during this activity. Thank you very much for your comment.
Shakira_H, Mar 2024
The enjoyment was superb! The our guides Oscar &(forgot the other) were awesome .! Very informative and knowledgeable . The lunch was like dinner portion. I tried the fish soup & fried fish dinner and everything was delicious. This is a really good deal compared to other rates ! Awesome experience . Book here
Response from Host, Mar 2024
I am very happy to know that you had a great time in the activity. Thank you very much for your rating.
Olivia_A, Feb 2024
This tour company was not accommodating to my friend nor myself I would not recommend them to others as there are many better options for the mud bath tour.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Thank you very much for your comment, Mrs. Olivia, but you never attended the activity, we called you and waited for you for an hour at the meeting point and you never attended, if you need we have evidence
adedolapo_o, Feb 2024
Vanessa was very experienced and knowledgeable. Made my friends and I feel welcomed. Translated all instructions in English for us so we were aware of all extra fees. The actual mud bath is pretty small compared to what we thought it would be. It was definitely something to experience.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Thank you for your comment, I really appreciated it.
Samantha_T, Jan 2024
Meeting location was confusing but the rest of the trip was great
Bring cash because the added features of the volcano aren’t really optional
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Thank you very much, I really appreciate your comment.
Gary_M, Nov 2023
The bus ride was great and very comfortable also the guide yeniffer was amazing and very sweet. The snack was great and not too much. The natives at the volcano where also great they where nice and helpful. The best part of the trip was the beach we stopped at for lunch it was so relaxing and no vendors or beggers was there bothering us. And the lunch was so delicious I had the fish and it was amazing.in all I'm glad I picked this one because it was well worth the money great trip
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Thank you very much, I really appreciate your comment.
Tiffany_O, Oct 2023
As many of the other reviews state you are hassled by all the people wanting you to tip them. While I understand their perspective, I think there should be a system in place to keep tourist feeling safe and not pressured to tip EVERYONE. The mud was great however, I would not recommend getting it in your hair (real or fake). The mud left a horrible black coating in my hair. Now onto the horror of the day. After the volcano we were bussed to the beach for a nice lunch and beach time. After our arrival the bus was switched out with our items on the old bus our AirPods were stolen and hat missing they returned the hat the next day. I took off stars because they did not accept responsibility for the AirPods. I wouldn't recommend this tour as we were told the items would be safe on the bus but were not. They blamed other patrons.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Hello, how are you? Thank you for your comment. Regarding the AirPods, you should keep in mind that you notified us of this loss days after the activity. We secured all forgotten objects. On the same day, other clients left cell phone chargers and sandals, everything. was returned, as we also returned your hat, we did not find your AirPods, what you were informed was that perhaps you had left them somewhere else and that you should keep in mind that this is an activity that is not private, perhaps some Another person has taken them due to distraction or mistake, however it is a shame that this happened to you, I apologize in advance for the inconvenience
Jooy_C, Oct 2023
This mud bath was a very unique experience and would recommend to anyone who has an extra excursion day in Cartagena. Much of details could have been better communicated but we were overall well take care of.
Our condo was not listed as an available option for hotel pick-up and we were told me instead meet up with the guides at 8 AM in the walled city. We then spent the next hour and half picking up everyone else around Cartagena and drove past our condo multiple times - looks like we could have been picked up in locations much closer to our condo but this was not clearly explained in the listing. We started heading towards the volcano around 930AM and were provided guidance on tipping instructions before getting off. We thankfully had sufficient cash, but wish we were provided this guidance in writing before the tour so that we could plan how much cash we should exactly pull or try to spend before this excursion.
The mud volcano was pretty much as advertised - I knew from prior research that they will be aggressive about receiving tips for holding your phone and bathing you and make it seem like you have no other option. They will start massaging you in the mud right away, bathing you in the lake right away, and tell you to take off your shoes at the lake so that they can clean them for you, then will demand for tips on each “service” after. The photos taken in the mud aren’t amazing, and if you’re coming with a someone else you’d be better off taking turns holding the camera. But like I said they make it seem like you have no other option so you just have to be very assertive when denying additional “services.” You are definitely at a disadvantage if you are not a Spanish speaker, but the guide did a decent job keeping us in the loop for the most part.
After the tour we were taken to a resort-like venue located halfway to the city. It was quite nice with plenty of space and decent meal (fish was much better than the chicken) that was included with the tour package. My biggest complaint is that there was too much down time - I’m not exactly sure why we were sitting around for so long after our meal? The listing is advertised as 6-7 hours but the entire experience was almost 9 hours and we lost our day when we thought we would have some more daylight after getting home.
This was overall a good experience, but the communication and advertising could be more clear so that we know what to expect.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Good afternoon, Thank you for your comment, in the reservation you indicate that you pick it up at the clock tower, this is the first pick-up point, in terms of information about the activity I always send all clients everything related to the activity a time you make the reservation or before the activity, so if you were informed, and if you are right, the issue of the natives is a problem that we are working on, thank you very much
Jasmyne_L, Sep 2023
Our tour guides Isaac and Nevis were amazing! The entire experience was great with the exception of the way the mud volcano was done. We were FORCED to give our shoes (even water shoes), FORCED to get the massage, and FORCED to get washed off by the women and then when time to give tips, we were yelled at and the locals were even allowed to come on the bus to FORCE us to give them a tip for services we constantly said “NO” to. If these services are going to be FORCED it should be included in the price and the tour operators should give them the tip for all tourist. (Just a suggestion to ensure a smooth transition and respect for the tourist.)
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Good morning dear, thank you for your comments, however I always send you a message to watsaap or to the TRIPADVISOR chat indicating that if you do not want the service from the natives, you are not OBLIGED to obtain it and just say NO, you simply DO NOT want it and You don't get it
Jasmon_J, Sep 2023
My husband and I really enjoyed the mud volcano along with relaxing at the beach!! I would recommend this tour to all tourists! It was well worth it. The tour guide was fluent in Spanish, but she always translated everything in English for us. She kept all the tourist entertained! I also like how the provided us with a snack and cup of juice before the bath too! Then we had lunch and drinks at the beach! The individual who is over the tour also booked my transportation back to the airport. I really appreciate everyone! Thank you so much for the lifelong memories!!
Response from Host, Sep 2023
I appreciate your nice comment, thank you very much.
Daniella_B, Sep 2023
The tour to the mud volcano in Cartagena was amazing! Lilliana from Chiringuito Tours was so hospitable and really helpful. I would definitely recommend this tour to someone else!!
Response from Host, Sep 2023
I appreciate your nice comment, thank you very much.
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