I took a mud bath in Colombia’s volcano and laughed the whole time
The weirdest fun you’ll ever have floating in warm mud
The moment my body sank into the warm, thick mud of El Totumo Volcano, I couldn’t stop laughing. There I was, suspended effortlessly in gray volcanic sludge alongside complete strangers, all of us transformed into giggling, mud-covered creatures. Located just 45 minutes from Cartagena, Colombia, this 50-foot-tall mound contains what might be the world’s most unusual swimming pool – a crater filled with naturally warm, mineral-rich mud that feels like floating in space.
The adventure begins with a rickety climb
“When God created El Totumo, he spilled holy water into what was once a lava-filled volcano,” explained Miguel, our guide, as we approached the curious dirt cone. “Now it heals the body and makes the soul happy.” I climbed the weathered wooden staircase clinging to the volcano’s side, heart pounding with both excitement and slight trepidation. Below me, dozens of mud-slathered tourists laughed as local attendants spun them around like human washing machines.
Surrender to the strange buoyancy of volcanic mud
The dense, mineral-laden mud makes sinking impossible. The moment I lowered myself into the crater, my body shot upward like a cork. “First time? Just relax and let the mud take you,” suggested an attendant with a wide grin. His hands appeared from the gray soup to gently push my shoulders down. The sensation was otherworldly – suspended in warm, velvety mud that supported every limb effortlessly.
“The minerals in this mud have healed people for generations. It’s nature’s spa treatment, and much more fun than those fancy places where no one smiles,” explained Rosa, a local woman who’s worked at El Totumo for thirty years.
Sharing strange intimacy with complete strangers
Perhaps the most bizarre aspect of El Totumo is the unexpected intimacy. In the small crater, about twenty of us floated together like human alphabet soup. Strangers from across the globe, laughing nervously as we bumped into each other, apologizing in different languages. Personal space becomes a foreign concept when you’re all suspended in volcanic mud wearing only swimsuits.
A French woman nearby couldn’t stop giggling as an attendant gave her an impromptu massage. “This is the strangest thing I’ve ever paid for!” she exclaimed between fits of laughter. I couldn’t have agreed more.
The riverside rinse – another adventure entirely
After twenty minutes of floating and mud massages, I carefully climbed out, now resembling a clay statue. The second part of this unusual experience involves walking to a nearby lagoon, where local women wait to help rinse away the mud – a service that requires another small tip and surrendering the last shreds of your dignity.
As I walked toward the water, I felt a kinship with other travelers who’ve experienced unusual natural wonders around the world. The lagoon washing ritual was equally hilarious – local women scrubbing us clean with the efficiency of a car wash.
Tips for your own volcanic mud adventure
If you’re planning your own visit to El Totumo, bring small bills in Colombian pesos for tipping the various helpers. Wear an old swimsuit you don’t mind getting stained. Leave jewelry, glasses, and cameras with a friend on solid ground. The experience costs about $45 USD for a tour from Cartagena, plus tips for the mud attendants and washing ladies.
“The best travelers come with an open heart and leave with muddy memories,” Miguel told me with a wink. “Those who worry about getting dirty miss the magic.”
Beyond the mud: Colombia’s other hidden treasures
While El Totumo might be Colombia’s quirkiest attraction, the country offers numerous other extraordinary experiences. From dramatic waterfalls to hidden villages with rich culinary traditions, Colombia rewards travelers willing to venture beyond typical tourist paths.
After my mud bath experience, I understood why small, unique destinations often create the most lasting travel memories. Like the ancient sites that reveal historical secrets, El Totumo offers something that can’t be replicated elsewhere.
A shared memory of joy and mud
Back in Cartagena that evening, I spotted several people from my tour group at different restaurants. We exchanged knowing smiles and raised our glasses in silent recognition of our shared absurdity. Sometimes the strangest experiences create the strongest connections. My mud-stained swimsuit may never fully recover, but the memory of floating weightlessly while laughing with strangers from around the world will buoy me for years to come.