Caving

The Dominican Republic’s first inhabitants left behind signs of their presence in numerous underground caverns found across the country, where they once took refuge or performed rituals. Today, hiking into these mysterious chambers, marked with petroglyphs and pictographs, is a thrilling experience. From easy entry to Indiana Jones-style expeditions, there’s a cave to suit everyone. Southeast, Cotubanamá National Park reveals caves punctuated with emerald freshwater lagoons. Just outside of Santo Domingo, Los Tres Ojos National Park is an easy walk into one of the largest underground caverns in the country, linked by a series of lagoons. Near La Romana, Cueva de Las Maravillas reveals hundreds of pictographs. Scape Park, in Cap Cana, takes you into the tunnels of Iguabonita Cave, with its impressive limestone formations. Los Haitises National Park is home to caves that are reached by boat, and boast a high number of pictographs. The most challenging and adventurous of all is Cueva Fun Fun, as the name suggests, not least because you’ll have no option but to rappel into its entrance. The least visited, yet most impressive caves are in the southwest, including El Pomier, and Las Caritas de los Indios.

There’s a cave to match every age and fitness level.

CAVING IN
Dominican Republic

Ancient Taino caves, tucked deep inside the DR’s rainforests and parks, offer the most adrenaline-filled spelunking adventures.

Hoyo Azul

Tucked inside Scape Park, in the Cap Cana area, this “blue hole” cenote offers a refreshing swim in natural, cool spring waters. Surrounded in lush rainforest, Hoyo Azul sits at the foot of a 75-meter (246-foot) tall limestone cliff covered in vegetation.

Punta Cana

Laguna Dudú

Laguna Dudú’s series of turquoise, freshwater lagoons surrounded with caves and lush forest will keep you swimming all day long. Rent a kayak to navigate the waters, explore one of the caves on foot, or brave the makeshift zipline at your own risk.

Puerto Plata

Las Caritas

Climb a series of sturdy wooden steps and explore the large number of petroglyphs across the walls, faces suggesting the presence of Tainos thousands of years ago.

Barahona

Las Ondas

One of multiple cenotes tucked inside Scape Park, Las Ondas sits in an ancient, underground cavern with just a sliver of sunlight, but magical fresh waters. A leisurely eco trail through a dry forest leads towards a steep, wooden staircase that descends into the cave.

Punta Cana

Los Haitises National Park

Los Haitises National Park is one of the crown jewels of the Dominican Republic’s national park system. Los Haitises attracts numerous visitors who come here by boat to see its magnificent series of high rock formations; also, it boasts extensive mangroves along its bay, dotted with keys and caves.

Samaná

Parque Nacional Los Tres Ojos

Take a nature break around ancient Taino caves and lagoons.

Santo Domingo

Playa Frontón

Reached by boat from Las Galeras, Playa Frontón’s stunning shoreline is a sight for sore eyes. Its brilliant fine white sand sits at the foot of a 90 meter (300-foot) metamorphic, rocky cliff, with its shoreline dotted with bright green coconut trees.

Las Galeras, Samaná

Trou Nicolás

Part of the Jaragua National Park, a series of three river fed natural pools tucked in a partially open cave, and hugged by rocky formations.

Pedernales

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Caving

CAVING IN Dominican Republic

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CAVING IN
Dominican Republic