Take A Dunk In El Totumo, Colombia's Magical Mud Volcano

DOWN AND DIRTY

Nope, those aren't seals.

They're humans lolling about in El Totumo, Colombia's magical mud volcano. Legend has it that a priest one sprinkled holy water on the crater, turning its steam and fire into a dense, warm, succulent goo.

Relaxation junkies flock from far and wide to "climb up the 50-foot (15-meter) volcano, accessible by a staircase, and jump inside the crater to relax in the natural mud."

And you can get massages!

el totumo mud

el totumo mud

el totumo mud

el totumo mud

El Totumo is about an hour's drive from Cartagena. On a day tour, you can usually chill in the mud pit -- which is said to have skin-renewing properties -- as long as you want before dunking in the nearby lagoon to cleanse.

The mud in the crater is so dense, you float without even trying. It might crust in your ears for a few days after, but your skin will stay "baby soft."

So kick off your shoes, order a cheap massage, and stay a while!

el totumo mud

el totumo mud

el totumo mud

el totumo mud

Before You Go

Relais & Chateaux Santa Teresa

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