Until recently, Colombia wasn’t a popular tourist destination; instead, it was considered an unsafe place to travel, thanks to the civil war, conflict and drug trafficking. However, this is no longer the case. The country is slowly becoming a major tourist destination, drawing in travellers with its Caribbean coastline, vibrant cities, unique ecosystems, and endangered animals.
One part of Colombia that has become increasingly popular over the past few years is Cartagena. Cartagena is known as the Jewel of the Indies, and it’s easy to see why. It is a magical city with fascinating history, beautiful architecture, delicious food and nearby Caribbean beaches. And that’s not all; Cartagena is also home to several tourist attractions, including the El Totumo Mud Volcano. To learn all about this volcano and why it’s become so popular with tourists, read on:
Where is Cartagena, Colombia?
You may wonder where the volcano is located if you’ve never visited Cartagena. Cartagena sits on the northern tip of Colombia. It is located to the East of Panama. Due to its location, it has a tropical climate, meaning it is warm or hot all year round. Even during the rainy season, tourists won’t be disappointed.
The El Totumo Mud Volcano
The El Totumo Mud Volcano is Colombiaβs smallest active mud volcano. It is a local tourist destination that has increased in popularity recently thanks to its alleged healing mud bath. According to local lore, the El Totumo volcano used to spew lava and ashes, but it was transformed into mud by a local pastor when he scattered holy water into it.
To reach the top of El Totumo, visitors must climb a staircase on the side of the volcano. This staircase can accommodate between 10-15 people at any one time. Once at the crater, tourists can bathe in the warm, dense mud. And that’s not all; they can also book a massage from the volcano attendants. Once you’ve experienced this, you will head back down the staircase before enjoying a warm bath in a lagoon to remove the mud.
Things to Know Before Visiting the Mud Volcano
Before visiting the mud volcano, there are some essential things you need to know:
- You may need a visa β while it would be nice to hop on a plane to Cartagena whenever you feel like it, this isnβt always possible. Depending on where you are travelling from, you may require a visa to visit this part of the world. If youβre unsure whether you do, check out the Colombia check mig form online.
- You will get up close and personal with other people βbecause the volcano is such a popular tourist destination, you cannot walk the staircase on your own. Instead, you will find yourself in a group with people you do not know.
- It can be dangerous β the rickety ladder on the side of the volcano is exceptionally slippery, thanks to all the accumulated mud on it.
- You will need help washing the mud off β the lagoon isn’t as deep as expected. To overcome this issue, business-savvy Colombians have set up giant water jars near the lake, which they keep refilling with water. When you arrive here, someone will greet you before helping you to wash the mud off.
Over the last few years, we’ve seen an increase in the number of tourists visiting Cartagena in Colombia. This beautiful city has something to offer everyone, including gorgeous beaches, tasty food and many tourist attractions. The El Totumo Mud volcano is just one example of a tourist attraction worth checking out in this part of the world. If you’ve never been, add it to your list of things to do.
