Float in a warm clay bath at El Totumo, rinse in a coastal lagoon, then finish the day relaxing at a beachside hotel in Manzanillo del Mar. This full‑day trip from Cartagena blends a quirky geologic stop with sun and saltwater leisure.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Morning light spills over Cartagena as an air‑conditioned van threads the coastal road toward Santa Catalina, passengers trading city noise for a smell of salt and warm mud. The first stop is the Totumo mud volcano: a low, rounded cone where steam and bubbling clay invite visitors into a buoyant, exfoliating soak. Participants climb a short ladder, surrender to the thick mud that grips and lifts, then rinse in the nearby Totumo lagoon — water pushing and cooling like a careful hand.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
8 hours
Fitness Level
Light fitness—able to step on a short ladder, walk on sand, and sit for several hours; suitable for most travelers
Wildlife
History
Totumo is a small mud volcano formed by pressurized gases and saturated clay; locals have used it for therapeutic bathing for decades.
Conservation
Use biodegradable products, avoid soaps in the lagoon, and follow guides’ rules to limit erosion and protect beach and wetland habitats.
Reserve your spot on the Total Adventure in Totumo Volcano with Visit to Beach and Pool today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Bring a sacrificial swimsuit
Mud can stain; choose an older suit or one you don't mind discarding after the bath.
Pack biodegradable sunscreen
To protect local water and marine life, use reef‑safe SPF for the lagoon and beach.
Towel and flip‑flops
Bring a quick‑dry towel and water shoes for walking over muddy or rocky areas.
Hydrate and pace in the sun
Carry water and avoid long exposures between mud bathing and beach time—heat can build quickly.
Swimsuit (old)
Mud can stain and cling — use a suit you won’t mind washing or discarding.
summer
Quick‑dry towel
For drying after the mud bath and pool; dries faster for travel days.
Reef‑safe sunscreen
Protects skin and reduces impact on lagoon and coastal ecosystems.
summer
Water shoes or sandals
Useful for climbing the mud ladder and walking on rocky or uneven beachfront.
summer