While walking the streets of the walled city of Cartagena, you can easily get lost in it’s vibrant colors. Couple that with the amazing food, great museums, and lively music, you could easily stay in this area forever. But that would be a mistake. Whether you explore the world’s third-largest barrier reef that makes up Islas del Rosario National Park or you swim in the Totumo Mud Volcano there is plenty to do outside of the city! However, just a 10 minute stroll outside the city walls, you can discover one of the best kept secrets to exploring Cartagena street art: the neighborhood of Getsemani.

Walking around Getsemani, you'll see some the most amazing displays of Cartagena street art! See why exploring Cartagena Street art needs to be on your bucket list! #CartagenaStreetArt #CartagenaGraffiti #GetsemaniStreetArt
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A Brief History of Getsemani 

The neighborhood of Getsemani has had a rocky evolution. Originally, the Spanish invasion pushed out the indigenous tribes from Cartagena and all surrounding regions. Getsemani became the local barrio for African Slaves of those in the walled city next door. In the early 1800s, a free man of color, Pedro Romero, led his “Lanceros de Gestemani” against the Spanish, becoming a hero of Cartagena’s independence movement.

Sadly, after independence was obtained, Getsemani fell into a dismal state. It developed a reputation as a neighborhood of drugs, violence, crime, and prostitution. Though less than a 5 minute walk from the famous walled city, every traveler to Cartagena was warned that Getsemani was an unsafe place to explore.

Luckily, that all changed at the turn of the 21st century. As Cartagena opened it’s doors to tourism, a sort of cultural renaissance slowly came to Getsemani. Suddenly, the old remnant run down buildings were being converted to hostels, shops, and restaurants. Plaza de la Trinidad became a center for local musicians, street performers, and artists to share their talents.

This rebirth and revitalization all came to a head around December 2013. Getsemani became a vivid graffiti scene of protests toward the gentrification and increasing tourism of the area. Rather than discourage the Cartagena street art, an International Festival of Urban Art was held on the Streets of Getsemani. For this event, both local and international street artists were invited to share murals featuring everything from animals to events important to the people of Cartagena. The result was one of the most amazing and largest displays of street art in the world. Thankfully, it preserved and easy to explore.

Note: Below are some of the amazing murals and pieces of Cartagena street art we found. Some of the images are thumb nails. Feel free to click on them to see the images in full view!

Exploring Cartagena Street Art in Plaza de la Trinidad

There is no doubt that any visitor to the neighborhood of Getsemani will end up at Plaza de la Trinidad! Here you will find amazing street food, cheap drinks, and plenty of opportunity to people watch as you are entertained by the local musicians and artists. But, if it is Cartagena street art you are looking to explore, then look for the Black Bird known as “Maria Mulata” behind the statue of Pedro Romero.

Yurika MDC created the mural based on of a local legend. According to the story, there were once colorful birds called Maria Mulatas that loved to sing in Cartagena. One day a horrible fire broke out and engulfed the city in flames. The colorful birds flew into the fire ravaged area and with their long beaks scooped up the locals and flew them to safety. Sadly, by flying back and forth through the smoke and soot, the Maria Mulatas lost their colorful feathers and were blackened forever. It is said that on bright days, locals can still see the brilliant colors in the bird’s black plumage.

Getsemani street art on social issues

Just because Cartagena embraced the street art scene doesn’t mean that protests toward the gentrification and increasing tourism stopped. This is evident when Peruvian artist, El Decertor, created his giant mural titled, “Defender Lo Que Nos Queda.” This large mural showcases the struggle of the locals from Getsemani who are working to preserve the identity and memory of their community.

Another Peruvian artist known as Jade also chimed in on the gentrification of Getsemani. He created this mural of a lower class man holding the flag of Cartagena while protesting the sale and higher prices of housing in his home town.

Honoring Cartagena’s favorite sons

Whether it is a hero of Cartagena’s independence movement, their famed salsa singer, or great athletes, you are bound to find some of the cities favorite sons immortalized in the Cartagena street art.

Pedro Romero, hero of the independence movement

Famous salsa singer Joe Arroyo

The Boxers

One of Cartagena’s favorite sons is former two-time world middleweight champion boxer and Cartagena native, Rodrigo Valdez. This mural immortalizes his with epic rivalry with Carlos Monzón.

The strong women of Cartagena

When exploring Cartagena street art, many strong women of different backgrounds can also be seen. From a mural of the Smiling Afro-Colombian woman to the local model Ana Luisa Muñoz, the women of Cartagena are showcased with strength and confidence.

Immortalizing the Palanqueras

The palanqueras or fruit sellers, are one of the most iconic characters of Cartagena. You can see them walking around everywhere in their vibrant dresses usually balancing large bowls of fruit on their heads. Historically, these women would trek into Cartagena everyday loaded with fruit harvested from trees surrounding their native Palenque. With such a rich history and vibrant aesthetic, it is easy to see why they would be immortalized in Cartagena street art.

Remembering the indigenous people

Before the Spanish invasion of what is now Cartagena, the area was originally inhabited by the Calamari people that dominated the Caribbean coast. Throughout Getsemani you will find a number of murals that pay tribute to the original indigenous inhabitants.

The amazing animals

While strolling around, you are bound to see many beautiful depictions of animals in the Getsemani street art. Some are simply beautiful images, while others portray a more environmental warning to onlookers.

The doors of a barrio

American best-selling novelist Katherine Karen Dunn once said, “Behind every locked door on Skid Road are a thousand stories.” With such a seedy history as a neighborhood of drugs, violence, and prostitution, there must be crazy stories hidden within Getsemani. As you walk through the streets, make sure you also look at the doors to see some incredible street art hiding in plain sight.

How to find the amazing Cartagena street art

While wandering up and down the colorful streets of Getsemani, you will easily find plenty of murals and paintings. Calle de La Sierpe (The Street of the Serpent) is a great spot to begin your tour as most of the street is covered with large murals. From there, simply stroll the areas of Getsemani around Plaza de la Trinidad, Plaza del Pozo, and any of the adjoining side streets.

If you prefer a more organized walking tour of the Getsemani street art there are several available. These tours are great because they allow you to check out the city’s diverse street art scene and you meet with local artists at their studios.

• Getsemaní Neighbourhood Tour in Cartagena – This tour is an extremely popular 2-hour guided tour of Gestemani. Not only will you discover the amazing Getsemani street art, but you will also meet the locals, learn the barrio’s history, play a game of ludo, and even get involved in a community art project.
• Cartagena Art Tour – This 3-hour exploration of Cartagena street art will take you into the Getsemani neighborhood. From there, you will meet with local artists at their studios, tour the newest galleries and check out the city’s diverse street art scene with a certified art historian guide.

As you can see, exploring Cartagena street art is another unique bucket list experience offered in Colombia! Have you ever explored the Cartagena street art scene? Is seeing all of the amazing murals in Getsemani on your Bucket List? Let us know in the comments below!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your Favorite Bucket List Board!

Disclosure: This post, “Exploring Cartagena Street Art ”, may contain affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

The post Exploring Cartagena Street Art appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

There is no doubt Colombia is a great destination for bucket list travel, especially along the coast. From celebrating Carnival in Barranquilla to “discovering” Ciudad Perdida when you Tour Santa Marta, it is easy for any traveler to find adventure. However, one of the craziest and most unique bucket list experiences is to bathe in the Totumo Mud Volcano!

Colombia’s Mud Volcano

Just 45 minutes outside of Cartagena, at 49 feet high, lies the smallest volcano in Colombia, Volcan del Totumo. El Totumo, as it is known to locals, is an active volcano in the municipality of Santa Catalina. However, instead of spewing hot lava and ash, El Totumo contains dense, geothermally heated mud containing supposedly body-benefiting minerals. According to the welcome sign at the base of the Totumo Mud Volcano, this giant cauldron of mud contains all-natural ingredients including calcium, magnesium and aluminum, among others.

Legend has it that at one time, El Totumo was a work of the Devil and in fact spewed fire, lava, and ash. But a local priest fought to banish the Devil by sprinkling holy water into the fiery pit and it was turned into mud. Thus, the fabled birth of the Totumo Mud Volcano.

Discover how you can have one of the craziest and most unique bucket list experiences when you swim in the Totumo Mud Volcano! #TotumoMudVolcano #VolcanDelTotumo #VisitColombia
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Climbing to the top

When you arrive at El Totumo, local guides immediately direct you to take off your shoes and hand over your cameras. Don’t worry, your assigned guide will take care of your camera and take pictures of your experience. From there you climb up a rickety set of steps to the top of the mud volcano and a platform about 15 feet in diameter. At the top, the views of the valley and lake below are truly amazing! Once there you will wait in line with a bunch of other adventurous souls for your chance to climb into the pit.

Hot Tip: There is no protection from the sun at the top so make sure you wear plenty of sunscreen!

Getting in the Totumo Mud Volcano

When it is finally your time, you tell your guide which camera is yours and then proceed down the mud caked ladder into the pit. The mud is extremely dense so the first thing you notice is that you can’t sink. As you bob around through the crowd of other muddy bodies, make your way to one of the local “massage therapists” for the ultimate Totumo Mud Volcano experience.

Get ready to be handled

Once in the Totumo Mud Volcano, get ready to be groped. Inside the pit are several locals who are there to give you full body mud massage. They will coat your entire body with the mineral rich mud and massage your legs, back and scalp. It is wise to let them cover your face so as to not get any of the mud in your eyes.

After your massage there is plenty of time to relax and take it all in. You will be allowed to bob around in the mud for as long as you want. But know that it does start to get a bit crowded and there will be legs and arms flailing all around you.

Hot Tip: Wear an old bathing suit or pair of shorts that you don’t want anymore. They will be ruined by the mud.

Escaping the pit

Once you are done, you will climb out of the pit on another muddy and slippery ladder. Take your time exiting because you don’t want to slip and fall back onto the throngs of other muddy bodies! When you exit, your guide will take a few more photos and then wipe off any excess mud drippings from your body. From here you will make your way back down to the base of Totumo via another set of rickety steps.

Hot Tip: Also, take heed to your trunks as they tend to be filled with mud and can easily slip off as you climb the ladder out. The last thing you want to share is your white buttocks with the crowd below! 

Getting cleaned off

Once you are at the base of Totumo Mud Volcano, grab your shoes and towel and head to the lake. Here, an old, local and quite aggressive woman will grab your hand, place a colored ribbon around your wrist and guide you into the water. Get Ready! She will douse you with water from her bucket as she works to clean the mud off of you with no concern for boundaries or personal space. Prepare for her to demand you take off your bathing suite so she can clean it in the water as you sit shamelessly beneath the surface.

Hot Tip: Bring an old pair of flip flops with you as the paved path to the lake is extremely, hot but your feet are caked in mud!

Finishing up

After your bath in the lake, you can claim your camera, change your clothes, and perhaps grab a beer or some food. Make sure you bring enough cash for tips. Everyone from the camera man to the ladies who washed you will approach you asking for a cash tip for their “services.”

Swimming in the Totumo Mud Volcano in Colombia is definitely a crazy and unique experience! Discover why you need to add this to your next trip to Colombia! #ElTotumo #TotumoMudVolcano #VisitColombia
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How to get to the Totumo Mud Volcano

From Cartagena: If there are several of you in your group, you can pay for a round trip cab to Volcan del Totumo. In general, it is about a 40-minute drive from Cartagena in the Santa Catalina district. You will need to pay the entrance fees along with your tips inside.

However, it is easier and probably a little safer to take part in one of the several Totumo Mud Volcano tour groups out of Cartagena. The tour groups generally pick you up at your hotel or a central location. They offer you round trip transportation, a nice lunch at a nearby Manzanillo Beach, and possibly a tour of the natural areas of the Santa Catalina district.

• Totumo Volcano Transportation from Cartagena Tour – After pickup from your Cartagena hotel, this tour will take you via air-conditioned bus to the Totumo Mud Volcano. Your guide will also provide great insights into the Bolivar region as you pass atmospheric mangroves and splendid seaside sights. (@$50.00 USD)
• The Mud Volcano from Cartagena Tour – On top of transporting you from your hotel to Volcan Del Totumo, this tour includes a stop at the Caribbean beach Manzanillo del Mar and a typical Colombian-style lunch for a relaxing tour at great value. (@$40.00 USD)
• Half-Day Tour to Totumo Mud Volcano from Cartagena – In addition to providing transportation to and from your Cartagena hotel, this tour includes a stop at Manzanillo Beach. (@$35.00 USD)

Explore nearby Cartagena

Let’s Get Muddy

As you can see, bathing in the Totumo Mud Volcano is one of the craziest and most unique bucket list experiences a person can have in Colombia! Have you ever swam in the Totumo Mud Volcano? Is it on your Bucket List? Let us know in the comments below!

Don’t forget to Pin the Totumo Mud Volcano to your Bucket List Board!

Disclosure: This post, “The Totumo Mud Volcano – A Bucket List Adventure”, does contain affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

The post The Totumo Mud Volcano – A Bucket List Adventure appeared first on The Bucket List Project.