The Healing Mud Bath of El Totumo

Hey everyone! We have had a blast exploring Colombia. I would highly recommend traveling through this beautiful country if you’re in South America. There are so many things to see and so here. I wanted to write a quick post on this awesome adventure we got the opportunity to do in Colombia. We visited the healing mud bath of the El Totumo volcano, which was a little different than your average excursion.  

Mud Volcano

The El Totumo Mud Volcano is a mud volcano located in northern Colombia about an hour from the city of Cartagena. El Totumo is the smallest volcano in Colombia, which is crazy because while standing next to it, it seemed gigantic. This is a super popular tourist destination because it’s known for its healing mud bath. Most people go out of the way to come and see the volcano from the city of Cartagena. To all my adventurous people, who don’t mind getting a little dirty, this is a must-see attraction for you!

According to local folklore, El Totumo used to erupt with lava until a local priest poured Holy Water into the fiery crater and turned it into a volcano full of mud. Ever since it has been a spot for healing and soaking in beneficial minerals. To get to the top, we had to climb up an old wooden staircase, which was a little scary. Once we got to the top, we could instantly smell the mud. A lot of people describe the smell as pungent, almost like sulfur. The mud was not as thick as you would think. It feels like you are floating on top rather than sinking to the bottom.

The mud is warm and very soothing to the skin. Interestingly enough, it contains a lot of minerals including aluminum, calcium, and magnesium. The locals are convinced the mud bath will bring many health benefits, one of them being extremely soft skin. They also say the mud will cleanse your pores by drawing out toxins and impurities. After we hung out in the mud bath for a while, we got to wash off in a magical lagoon. As we washed off the mud, we instantly noticed a difference in our skin. If anything, you will get a good exfoliation from this excursion!

Should You Go? 

This was such a unique experience, and I would highly recommend it. If you’re not afraid to get a little dirty, then you will love this attraction. The only important tip I have for you would be to be careful on the ladder leading to the mud. It can be a little slippery, so make sure you hold on to the railings. This has been a dream come true. Traveling makes me so happy, and I’m glad I have a platform where I can share my experiences with you. If you are interested in learning more about my travel blog, you can read more here. Until next time!