Hoyo del Aire

The hole is a collapse doline - a cavern roof that gave way, leaving a shaft open to the sky with sheer walls. Figures given for the depth vary between roughly a hundred and eighty and two hundred and thirty metres and the width is of a similar order, and forest has established on the floor at the bottom, entirely isolated from the surrounding land, so trees grow in a cylinder of rock. The name refers to the air that moves in it. Birds including guacharos, the oilbirds that navigate by echolocation, have been reported nesting in the walls. There is a viewpoint at the rim and no safe way down for visitors; abseil descents have been done by teams with equipment. The country around is limestone with other sinkholes and caves.

What you actually see

• A collapse sinkhole around two hundred metres deep - with sheer walls.
• Forest growing on the floor - isolated in a cylinder of rock.
• A rim viewpoint - the only access for visitors.
• Karst country around it - other holes and caves nearby.

When to go

December to March. Two hours.

Honest expectations

There is no way down for ordinary visitors - the rim is the visit. The rim is unfenced in places. The last part of the road is unpaved. It is remote with no services.

Nearby

La Paz is close; Velez is north-east.