El Totumo

El Totumo, Colombia, may not have the towering grandeur of a traditional volcano, but it has a magnetic charm that draws visitors from around the world. This petite geological wonder stands at just 15 meters, a far cry from the colossal peaks that typically characterize volcanoes. However, what El Totumo lacks in stature, it makes up for with its unique offering: a chance to bathe in its mud-filled crater, which is said to have therapeutic properties.

Located near the city of Cartagena and the Caribbean coast, El Totumo's mud volcano is a natural spa, believed by locals to have healing powers due to its mineral-rich content. Tourists and Colombians alike climb up a rustic staircase to the lip of the crater, then descend into the warm, dense mud where they can relax and enjoy massages given by local attendants. The experience is not only a spa treatment but also an opportunity to float effortlessly, thanks to the mud's buoyancy.

After soaking in the mud, visitors rinse off in the nearby lagoon, completing the refreshing and rejuvenating experience. The site is often visited as part of a day trip from Cartagena, offering a quirky contrast to the historic city's colonial architecture and vibrant street life.