Caving in Costa Rica

Did you know that caving in Costa Rica is a thing? Often the country is associated with a tropical paradise due to all its vibrant ecosystems. Exploring a cave is a non-traditional way to find thrills and beautifully unique sights in this tiny country.

Those with a taste for adventure and unafraid to get dirty will have a great time crawling, climbing, and wading through small passages. Depending on where and when you go caving, you can expect to get plenty wet, too. Underground streams, pools, and even curtains of water can be part of the adventure.

This is just part of the charm. Some of these caves were formed about 70 million years ago, so they also include stalactites and stalagmite formations. Looking at these wonders, you’re looking at Costa Rica’s oldest history. It’s a good activity for both experienced and first-time cavers, though because of all the exercise involved, it’s not suitable for small children.

With an insightful approach to Costa Rica’s geography, caving is both fun and educational. And two of the country’s best caving are the Barra Honda and Venado caverns. Check them out!

The Barra Honda National Park is located in Guanacaste, close to the famous Tempisque River. The park protects a system of caves underneath the Barra Honda peak, formed some 70 million years ago. To this day, only around half of the Barra Honda caves have been adequately explored. There are over 40 different caves in Barra Honda, but only one—called Terciopelo Cave or Bat Cave—is open to visitors.

While you descend to the cavern floor at the entrance, don’t close your eyes. During that first descent, you can admire the impressive formations. Stalactites and stalagmites, ghost-like formations of hardened calcium, and rock creations of all shapes and sizes are some of the wonders in this cave.

The adventures in this cave go beyond spelunking, too! For example, the Terciopelo Cave also has indigenous artifacts, and human remains were found in other caves at that park. Though these archeological findings are off-limits, they add to the fascinating nature of this place that has been visited for generations. And even more stories abound! Local folklore says that people believed part of the caves was a volcano due to the roaring sounds made by bats as they left caverns. Such is the pull these caves have.

Another perk is that visiting the cave involves hiking through the tropical dry forest. There is a chance to spot wildlife here. Keep your eyes open for coatis, agoutis, anteaters, and monkeys on the way. Barra Honda is definitely a cave to stop by if you want to see all these sides of Costa Rica!

Picture yourself 8,850 feet below the earth’s surface. Claustrophobic already? These ten limestone caves in the Arenal Volcano area are between 15 and 20 million years old. They were formed by tectonic shifting and a mighty underground river, which explains their shape and composition. These underground passages were once a hidden mystery beneath the pristine tropical forest but are now enjoyed by the most daring.

Inside the cave are limestone rock formations, tons of marine fossils, a waterfall, and even a river. Many of these things were created by water dripping slowly over hundreds of years, and they’re a sight to see. Make sure to shine your flashlight around to find “The Baths” before crossing a curtain of water to find the seashells attached to rocks. You can also expect to see wildlife such as monochrome frogs, exciting fish, bats, spiders, and crickets.

Rumors of the Venado Caverns circulated as recently as 1935, but they were not discovered until 1945. After the locals found them, experts thoroughly mapped them out and unveiled many of their secrets.

The most popular places for caving in Costa Rica are good options for novices and experts alike. To make the most of your trip, make sure to find a reputable guide to ensure your safety and gear quality. Follow their instructions carefully and you’ll be fine! If you’re not sure which company to choose, we always work with the best, so give us a shout and we’ll be happy to help you.

Once inside the cave, look around in all directions. You may see incredible formations hanging from the ceiling as others seem to emerge from the ground. If you simply hurry forward you might miss some of the most interesting parts of the cave.

Caverns in Costa Rica can usually be visited year-round, though some visits may be restricted to the dry season. Bear in mind that during the rainy season (May-December), water levels may be higher inside the caverns as well. To avoid afternoon showers, an early morning start is your best bet.

Yes, you can. Costa Rica has two central cave systems for people to explore - the Barra Onda caves in Guanacaste and the Venado caves near Arenal. as in any country, many caves are dangerous. Therefore, we recommend you only go with experienced guides to caves that are kept up to safety standards.

The Barra Honda and the Venado Caves are great for cave spelunking in Costa Rica. However, Barra Honda is better for checking out the incredible rock formations while you'll enjoy some underground rivers and waterfalls in the Venado Caves system.

This depends on who you ask. Some say that only amateurs use the word “spelunking,” as the pros call it caving. Others believe that spelunking is more scientifically specialized, focused on exploring the forms of plant and animal life found inside the cave rather than just the cave itself. However, most people use the terms interchangeably. Whatever you call it, this type of activity is an adventure on the rise. It intrigues tourists with a rare view into the mysterious underground world.