Private Mud Volcano Before the Crowds & local flavors
Recommended by 96% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Cartagena, Colombia
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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What's Included
- Private transportation
- bilingual guide
- Snacks2 Empanada or Arepa + 1 Water or Soda (per person)
- Admission Fee - Entrance tickets
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
We pick up at all hotels, if not your hotel or Airbnb show up don't worry we pick them up (they send us an internal message with your address) plus we need a phone enabled to contact them coordinate the pickup and send them recommendations
Itinerary
1
Volcan de Lodo El Totumo
4 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infants must sit on laps
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
When looking at this tour, we read both the good and not so good reviews. I was prepared for it to be ok or “so-so”. I was wrong. IT WAS AWESOME.
Our guide was fantastic. We got picked up at our hotel and the trip out was easy. GO EARLY!! We did and we were the only ones there. You’re back at your hotel by noon at the latest (if you want) and you’re on your way to whatever’s next.
It’s unlike anything we’ve ever done and such a great experience. 10/10
Don’t forget tip money for the folks at the volcano. ~100k p/p for everything but it’s worth it.
Would do it again without question.
Reviews
4.8
based on 189 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
The experience was 5 stars but the way people pushed and demanded tips (after we already tipped) afterward left a bad taste in everyone's mouth. That brought what could have been a perfect day to be a negative.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're delighted to know you enjoyed the experience overall, and we're sorry that the requests for additional tips left you with a disappointing final impression.
The community you visited is independent and relies heavily on tourism as its primary source of income. While they are the owners and custodians of the area, and therefore not directly under our management, we continuously work with them to encourage respectful interactions with our guests. Managing these situations can sometimes be challenging, but we take feedback like yours seriously and will continue reinforcing that gratuities should always be voluntary and never diminish an otherwise memorable experience.
We truly appreciate your honest comments and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back to Cartagena for an even better experience.
Warm regards,
its a pretty fun time
bring cash for all the people you will likely need to tip
pack sandals you mind getting wet and muddy
Response from Host, Jul 2026
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We had an awesome tour to the mud volcano. Rafael and the driver were fantastic guides for us. Rafael explained the tipping process to us in advance so we could be well prepared. The best choice we made was going at 6:30am. When we got there, we were the only ones there. After the nice massage experience we were allowed to float for a long while on our own. The cleaning process was easy, the ladies did a nice job but we still had a little mud in our ears a day later. We definitely recommend this tour and highly recommend going early. When we left we saw several large tour buses on their way.. we will likely do this again some day
Response from Host, Jun 2026
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We had a great time experiencing the Lodo Volcano Mud Bath in just outside Cartagena! It is such a unique experience! We weren't sure if we would like it, but decided to try it because it was so out of the ordinary and I'm glad we did!
Gilberto, our driver was so nice, and very informative on the hour plus drive there and back about different sites, and things taking place in and around Cartagena, and took really good care of us the entire time!
Once we arrived at the mud volcano, he introduced us to the staff that would be taking care of us. They were instrumental in helping us in and out of the mud bath, making sure we were safe ascending and defending the volcano, and helping to wash the mud off of us down in the lagoon/lake. We even chose the option to have a massage inside the mud bath, and that was awesome! The guys did such a great job! Then after we were cleaned up and had changed clothes, we had a snack with tasty homemade beef and chicken empanadas and soft drink!
It was a top notch experience from start to finish and I highly recommend you try this unique experience!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for choosing us, always delivering the best to our customers
It was an interesting experience. Would not do again. Steps down super slippery and a bit dangerous. Bathers afterward were a bit rough. “Massage” was hmmm. Bit if you’ve never taken a mud bath it’s an experience.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
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So I should start off saying, we absolutely loved the experience of the volcano. The reason I’m leaving such a low review was the service provided by the tour. To start off, I was expecting a little more engagement on the ride out there from a “bilingual” tour guide, but her English was pretty rough. It was a mostly silent ride.
She told us on the way out there to expect to tip $25 to all the people (guy who takes photos, guy who holds your stuff, massage, and the lady that rinses you off). So it should’ve been $50 total for us. At the end of it she told us we needed to tip more, $40 total for each of us. And then she proceeded to count the money that we gave them and told us we weren’t tipping enough even though she gave different amounts in the car. To me, at $280 for two of us, the tour guide should be looking out for us with the locals and not the other way around. Plus, everything online says you only need to tip each person $2-$4, so the original amount she told us in the car was already more than what everything online says. I will say, getting there early before the crowds (8am) is amazing, you have the whole thing to yourself. But you could do this for far cheaper in a taxi or an uber
Response from Host, Dec 2025
We are sorry, our tour guide tried her best but she couldn’t find the apropieted words to communicate with you and let you know the correct instructions.
Very unique it was a bucket list experience. Everything was great but I didn’t give it a 5star because our driver acted like we didn’t exist. We road in silence while the had their own conversation.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for choosing us. We will talk to ur staff about it.
I think the best way to go for this tour is the private tour option and first thing in the morning! We were the first ones in the mud and enjoyed every minute of it. I appreciated the wash off in the lagoon followed by a yummy snack. Our guide Gilberto was great!
Response from Host, Aug 2025
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Excellent!! One of the best things I have ever done. Highly recommend Gilberto and this experience! You get a private experience in the mud volcano with a 25 minute massage. No other tourists. The locals that run this love this company because it respects what the locals are trying to achieve. We didn't have to tip much to get an amazing experience. Gilberto handled all the fees/tips which was nice. Excellent massage with Enrico under the beautiful sky. The mud was cool and smooth. When we got washed up in the lake we then ate delicious arepas and empanadas. As we did the tour busses showed up and you could see it wouldn't be the same experience. Gilberto is doing tourism the right way with his company. When we come back we will book everything through him. Excellent English and history. 10/10
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you Cory.
My experience was great! We had a private driver that came and picked up us. The morning of they reached out and picked us on time. Our driver was very informative, we drove about 45mins to a hr and we had great conversations. He told us about the history of mud volcano and how everything will go when we arrive. Once we arrive we received vip service ! They held our bags, took pictures and we asked for a lot of pictures. We received massages which was optional and then we got in a bath in a warm water lagoon. We received a lil snack and then headed back out before the rain. Doing the private tour was very much worth it, we had our own privacy and didn’t have to want on anyone. But this overall experience was amazing and I would recommend.
Response from Host, May 2025
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We both liked the volcano mud bath. Getting cleaned up in the lake w woman pouring water on me was a new experience. I rated this low cause it was a private tour. We both felt our guide should have had more interaction w us and not the driver. I thought car smelled like an ashtray but it was comfy.
Response from Host, May 2025
Hi karen. We already noticed the tour guide, that for sure will pay more attention to customers having more interaction with you.
Great Experience… Our tour guide Gilberto was friendly, welcoming and very knowledgeable.
GO GET MUDDY! After enjoy a TASTY Colombian lunch!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
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Breathtaking views, nice and friendly staff. Informative guide. Awesome experience. Would highly recommend!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
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Mud volcano was once in a lifetime, fun, and oddly awkward. Our driver and guide were fabulous, accommodating and knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
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Such a unique experience! Gabriella was our guide, and she was amazing. Highly recommended getting there early (we left our hotel at 6am) because you can have the experience all to yourself.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
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be prepared for the wild experience. I did it - no regrets, but my partner was not comfortable. I doubt if I would do it again. But thanks to everyone who helped me to get this mud slide on my list of accomplishments.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
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This is not a volcano. It is a small hill that is open at the top and filled with mud that is about 10 ft x 10 ft in size. We had an early 7am pickup and arrived at the "volcano" at 8am and were the first ones there. Locals come to collect your bags and phone for photos (arrive dressed in your swim suit since there is no where close to change clothes). You climb down a ladder into the mud and there is someone there to give you a massage. We did not get a massage. It seemed creepy to me. We were alone in the mud for about 10 minutes before another couple arrived and with us and them in the mud, it felt crowded so we got out. I can't imagine being in the mud with a busload of people. When you get out you walk to the lagoon, where women wash the mud off of you with buckets of water. That also felt a little creepy. A small snack of egg empanada and water is provided. We were back at our hotel by 10am. It was an odd experience but not sure I would recommend it and I'd never do it again myself. Everyone expects a tip - the women washers, the bag and photo holder, and massage man in the mud. Bring a towel since one isn't provided. The drive is about an hour from the walled city. Go early to beat the crowds.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
This is a kind of volcanos called diapers, there are places where you can change your clothes, and we understand that this kind of experieces aren’t for everyone
A few helpful nuggets:
-It looks smaller in person vs in pics
-Tour guide was excellent and we felt well prepared
-If possible I would ask for the snack before you go into the mud. There’s no running water there so it felt more sanitary to eat beforehand
-We were able to leave our change of clothes in the car
-We were told we would receive drone footage but I haven’t heard back on this
Response from Host, Dec 2024
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This is a must do when visiting Cartagena, not only is it an amazing experience but it also helps the local community. With the private tour we had the mud volcano all to ourselves before all the tour groups began arriving. Our guide Gilberto was great, explaining everything we could expect.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
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This was an amazing tour, and I am glad we opted for the private tour. We arrived early, around 7am and had the place to ourselves for an hour. It was perfect! The experience was amazing, for the mud bath and the attentiveness of everyone there. The food was also great!
Response from Host, Nov 2024
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We had a 3pm appointment and it was the best decision. We had the entire spot to ourselves. Everyone was so attentive and the massage was amazing. Our guide was so informative and so helpful. It was an experience I will forever remember.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
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My husband and I took a quick trip to Colombia and last minute decided to do this tour. Gina our tour guide and Oswaldo our driver were great. Gina went above and beyond. The mud bath was exciting, and fun. It was su surreal to not be able to sin and float in the very dense and deep mud pit. The massage in the pit was great, and the bath afterwards was nice. The helpers who carried our belongings and took our pics was a nice added touch. I’d suggest having money hand to up at least 8 people; tour guide, driver, massagers, handler and photographer as well as the bathers. And, let’s not forget the cooks for the delicious authentic Colombian snacks. We’d definitely recommend this activity with this tour group.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
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We had a great experience with Gina! She was a very knowledgeable guide. The vehicle we were picked in was spacious, clean and air conditioned. The mud bathe was a unique experience.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
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We had an incredible time! We opted for a 6:30 pickup on a Wednesday and were the first people there. We had the volcano all to ourselves for at least 30 minutes.
The people who work there were super nice and friendly! They took great photos and looked after our belongings and were very respectful when doing the mud massage and bathing.
Our driver was right on time, very respectful, and looked after us to make sure we were comfortable while we were at the volcano.
Overall would definitely recommend! The private tour was worth it. Remember to bring a lot of smaller peso bills to make it easy to split tips to everyone involved in the experience.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
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This was definitely different and interesting to say the least! The pickup was smooth they came right to our air bnb, the driver Gilberto was very nice and answered any questions we had. On the ride their he gave a detailed explanation of the excursion. When we got there there were several locals waiting to be “at our service”. One held our bag so it wouldn’t get muddy, one took photos, one gave a massage in the mud if you opt in of course. I did get the massage it felt great. The mud is thick and tricky to balance in. Im not one for mud so wasn’t my thing but I’m sure others enjoy. We chose the private tour so we got their around 730am. We did this so that we can relax have time and space it was just the two of us. Later in the day bus full of tourists were coming who all got in together or waited in line for a short turn. Private tour and early way worth the $$. When the mud is done you have the option of cleaning off in the shower or a “lagoon” with the help of a local Colombian women. I chose the shower which was makeshift but did the job then changed. My partner chose the lagoon which then she was washed down like a baby by the locals. She said it was something to remember. If you like your privacy chose the shower. Then after all cleaned we had some food and drink that was provided it was actually very tasty. Lastly on the way out all the locals that helped along the way will come to retrieve their tips. Gilberto let us know what fair tips were on the way so we were prepared. They took pesos and US dollars. The experience overall was fun not something I would do again but I would recommend to people who haven’t done it yet!
Response from Host, Aug 2024
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Excellent tour. Would recommend. Super cool experience- once in a lifetime for sure. The people are great, massage was wonderful.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
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Mud volcano is awesome experience. Gina our guide treated us like VIPs and made the mud very relaxing by having everyone treat us well and even serve us all beers while taking mud bath.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
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Private tour early before tour groups. We had the mud to ourselves for 20 mins. Very memorable experience.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
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Our family loved this mud volcano tour. The guide Gilberto was on time at our hotel for pick up and drove us to the mud volcano while giving a brief of what to expect and how much to tip for the additional services. The optional services includes carrying bags, taking pictures, massages and bath after the experience. Highly encourage to take this trip early in the morning to avoid the crowd and spend more time in the mud pool.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
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We loved this experience! We selected the 6:30am time which I highly recommend because we had the place to ourselves. The mud pit is rather small so you may want to avoid going midday when more crowded.
We also opted to have the women at the lagoon bathe us which I also recommend because the shower area is very modest. Overall you do feel very immersed in nature and it's beautiful.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
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Member Pricing
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$135.85
per personWas $143.00(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Private Mud Volcano Before the Crowds & local flavors
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Attractions in Cartagena, Colombia
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