Review: Cartagena Mud Volcano Tour with Lunch

Okay, so you’re thinking about taking that trip to the Mud Volcano, or El Totumo, near Cartagena? You’ve probably seen the photos: people covered head-to-toe in grey mud, grinning away. It looks, too it’s almost, like a crazy, fun experience, and it could be! However, very, very, that hype should have some, just a little, caution mixed in, I would suggest. As someone who’s actually done the “Recorrido Hacia El Volcan De Lodo En Cartagena Con Almuerzo” – the whole shebang, tour included – I want to share my thoughts, too it’s almost, like give you the lowdown, alright. This is, just a little, a peek behind the mud-curtain, alright, to help you decide if it’s really a good idea, basically, alright, especially, too it’s almost, for your time and dinero.

What’s the Big Deal with El Totumo Anyway?

Alright, so El Totumo, in some respects, could be seen like, virtually, a stubby volcano – don’t picture some huge, smoking mountain! In fact, as I was saying, this is, that, just a little, a mud-filled mound about 50 feet high, basically. This particular, anyway, “volcano” is believed to have formed from a mix of gases and mineral deposits way back when, actually, with all that combining to create this naturally occurring mud bath, alright. But, anyway, the really neat thing, as a matter of fact, and actually what attracts people, too it’s almost, the site so, alright, much, is that you can actually get in this mud! You climb up the side – which can, kind of, that be a bit slippery, you know – and then lower yourself into the gooey, slightly warm mud, which is kind of cool.

And actually, there’s that floating sensation, or kind of lack of. The mud’s consistency seemingly makes it really, almost impossible to sink, actually. The overall result is, in fact, that you’re suspended in the mud. Too it’s almost, there’s this feeling, so, okay, like weightlessness that I did find strangely pleasant, actually. But anyway, the purported benefits, okay, too, I want to point out that are a draw! Many folks very much believe that the mud is positively packed with minerals, in a way, so, and has therapeutic effects, really. The idea is, you know, in short, that it can, that, help with skin conditions and aches and pains and things. I can’t really vouch for that part, though I did feel oddly relaxed afterward.

The Tour Experience: Highs and Lows

So anyway, about this tour I mentioned – “Recorrido Hacia El Volcan De Lodo En Cartagena Con Almuerzo”. The package deal that I selected had, you know, transportation to and from Cartagena. You could find yourself packed, very much literally, into a bus or van, anyway, potentially. In fact, my ride felt sort of, you know, packed and, arguably, might be too small, kind of, honestly, for everyone. So you can start to think about that, alright.

The trip out very likely can take a chunk of the morning and some of the early afternoon, honestly, as the volcano is definitely somewhat outside of Cartagena. What very likely awaits upon arrival? Picture this: a somewhat rustic set-up. Not only that, there are lots of folks around too, possibly with vendors, as well as local “masseuses” eager to offer their services. Right so, it kind of, that, ends up, you know, feeling kind of intense, for real.

Anyway, the actual mud bath does really, almost last only 10-15 minutes, frankly. Very much a quick dip. You hop on in. Basically, I found that a little, you know, underwhelming given the travel time to get there. But in general, the sensation is different than most people are use to! As a matter of fact, you may just find some random person there to give you a very short massage, by the way. Basically, then you, or anyone very near you is led back down towards the nearby lake for a rinsing by, literally, local women, really, who’re waiting there in the lake. They just help remove the mud, so. Then they expect, that, in short, a small tip is expected from that, too!

Lunch and Other Considerations

The lunch portion, in general, of the tour… okay, look. I will point out that it depends heavily on your expectations, just a little. Honestly, in our specific situation anyway, at the end of the day, the food very likely can be very simplistic; it may include fried fish, rice, and maybe some patacones, which can, that, I should note are like fried plantains, just a little. You know, this will depend if that sounds tasty. Obviously. However, you know, be prepared that there is no “fancy,” obviously, fare or a range of choices at the end of the day. It may only come out as a modest local meal.

A really big thing, I have to make note of! It’s all the “extras.” The overall additional costs may catch you a little off guard, so, too it’s almost. For instance, if, like your, you take photos, very likely the person taking the photos may want you to pay them after for photos. Similarly to, unlike that there lake clean, as a matter of fact, tips are not really included and in general may add, possibly, upwards of $10-$20 to, like your, expenditure in total. Very. If not even way more.

Is It Worth It? Weighing the Pros and Cons

We have to ask this, like your. At the end of the day, is the Mud Volcano experience basically worth the cost and time at all? A little something may, arguably, weigh, like your, heavily on your expectations, to be honest. Look. Honestly, let’s quickly examine some of those factors: very few would disagree about the unique experience in and of itself, honestly! Basically. To point out that for many people in fact, the actual appeal is honestly derived pretty much from, for example, being able to do, right, some kind of novel and offbeat travel encounter, right. As a matter of fact it may bring something kind of unique to your travel pictures at all!

In other words, or at least in the way I see things anyway: honestly, and more to the point, so: you should know, alright, as I was saying, if and when there could be a huge swarm of people at all there you might feel like the whole excursion had too many tourists for a more calm excursion, as I was saying! Furthermore it might actually begin to feel very rushed because you just, literally, get a very short little blip there and not much time, very.

Very generally, right. Is that, really? I really feel like too much travelling for too little volcano mud submersion? A question to think about might be this one right now too as well: “what could it offer for cultural experience” In short! Too! What’s important to know: if this is actually what your ultimate main goal may or may not become the excursion to take instead and more to the point in my opinion: maybe instead seek opportunities with Cartagena, for instance to begin! A more thorough immersion among the culture will often require longer time periods spent along local areas like Getsamaní and, you know: you actually will very probably appreciate experiencing that.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit

Basically I might have to impart my expertise as the professional guy! And some helpful things to have! One idea for the whole shebang tour to, I suppose the Cartagena mud volcano! Firstly! One would want you! Right then very briefly let me enumerate so you are able too actually to appreciate our tour more effectively!!

• Arguably it can be a smart idea: you can find that old swimsuit that you wouldn’t become devastated whenever anything untoward would affect its own appearance! Like becoming brown due to some possible muddy stuff that could or could never, obviously, show and cause trouble!
• Cash as opposed to card!! To clarify too much any tour guide or people will prefer real money and that’s all right in the first place and no need ever that, alright to be alarmed about, generally so that may occur! At the same time a few things to keep in mind!
• Too brief! You might be aware of their schedule and prepare you to very calmly keep going along along. And always think about: keep in the vicinity any valuables too because any and every situation may change just a little quickly too much whenever the volcano excursion comes!

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