Mud Volcano Tour Cartagena: Lunch & Honest Review
Heard about the El Totumo mud volcano close to Cartagena, Colombia, and wondering if it’s something you ought to add to your travel plans? Very well, you’re in the perfect spot. This is a breakdown of what to anticipate from a medical mud volcano visit with lunch, focusing on the complete experience, that is, what’s good, what could be better, plus some honest recommendations.
What’s the Deal with El Totumo Mud Volcano?
Essentially, the El Totumo volcano isn’t what you think of when visualizing a volcano. It’s actually a small mound, perhaps about 50 feet high, filled with naturally warm, squishy mud. It’s almost famous for that therapeutic properties many attribute to it, some suggest because the mud contains minerals. The sensation of floating in this thick, somewhat lukewarm mud is very peculiar, in a fun way for sure, it’s said. It’s basically one of the more idiosyncratic tourist pulls that individuals explore when they’re near Cartagena.
Booking Your Medical Mud Volcano Tour
Typically, that mud volcano adventure can be booked through various agencies inside Cartagena, or maybe using online tour sites. Options may vary in price, and it’s almost important to compare what’s included. So, be sure transportation is factored in. A few tours bundle other activities, that could be a trip to the Galerazamba pink sea, yet most simply center on the mud bath itself.
Talking of cost, that typical tour, encompassing transportation and admission, arguably sits somewhere in the range of $30 to $70 USD. Lunch is pretty much included, and it’s almost always a typical Colombian meal, often fish or chicken with coconut rice. I would say that it’s good to ask the specifics beforehand, to just confirm what your tour has in store, that is, with reference to lunch plus any additional costs, such as those ‘optional’ massages around the volcano.
The Medical Mud Bath Experience
The experience begins by scaling several stairs up to the top of the volcano, that’s where the mud pool awaits. The mud’s consistency may surprise someone; it’s very thick, and also buoyant. Getting in could feel a little strange to you to start, yet once you’re in, you naturally float. Folks tend to bob around, unwind, plus coat themselves in the mud, it’s said.
Something to think about; that pool may get pretty crowded, particularly during peak times. Also, local helpers will provide, perhaps ‘offer’ is a better term, services such as massages or picture taking, and of course they expect a tip. Should you accept, that’s very alright, yet understand it’s virtually not included inside the original tour price.
As for any perceived medical gains, is that, mineral content and skin improvements; this is more anecdotal, yet countless visitors have shared having felt invigorated after their bath. If anything, that novel experience and that fun of floating around probably makes the trip worthwhile!
Lunch Time: What to Expect
Lunch often happens after you are through using the mud bath. Typically, you’re driven to an area nearby, where they usually serve that meal at a restaurant. Count on seeing straightforward, pretty much traditional Colombian fare. Choices typically involve fried fish or chicken, coconut rice, plantains, plus a simple salad. Vegetarian options could be limited, that said it’s a worthy shout to check on options ahead.
Realistically, the food’s quality could vary. The focal point truly isn’t gourmet dining; yet, that opportunity to sample local flavors after that unusual mud bath is arguably a satisfying end to that main event.
Things to Keep in Mind
There’s are some bits you may think over for this particular adventure. So, it’s almost important not to wear any jewelry, that is, or something you care about, as there’s always a chance it will get lost within the mud.
Talking of that, if you plan on taking photos, either bring a waterproof case for your smartphone, that is, you are OK with handing your camera over to a local. They’re usually willing to take photos to suit your needs to suit your requirements, that’s where they might need a tip after.
After a mud bath, women are escorted to a lake where local women will wash the mud off you and your swimwear in exchange for a tip. While it can seem intrusive it’s a vital task as it’s very difficult to remove the mud yourself. Some report feeling uncomfortable, though, for most it’s a really simple service to get you back to square one, ready to go to your hotel and change. Note too it’s a good idea to bring some clean clothes including undergarments given the state of your swimming costume post-clean.
Ultimately, have patience. That area around the volcano might get busy, that is, and also the processes involved, for instance getting to the volcano, washing off, perhaps waiting for lunch—can take time. Embrace it and find the fun around the quirky event as an element of the whole adventure.
Is That Medical Mud Volcano Tour Worth It?
Alright, should you visit El Totumo? That depends what you cherish during travels. Should you expect a tranquil spa experience, is that not so much. If you wish to do a very peculiar plus truly local activity, then you just might find this up your street.
For plenty of, floating inside that mud, the slight risk of this all, and all that stories to share makes the trip worth that effort. Keep your expectations practical, prepare yourself for all the possible extra expenses, and arguably you’ll make some memories from the Medical Mud Volcano near Cartagena.