The Río Camuy Cave Park

The Rio Camuy Cave Park, in the lush limestone karst country of northwestern Puerto Rico, protects one of the largest and most impressive cave systems in the western hemisphere. Carved over millennia by the third-largest underground river in the world, it is a spectacular subterranean realm of vast caverns, dramatic stalactites and stalagmites, and gaping sinkholes where daylight streams down onto the jungle below. Visitors descend into the enormous Clara Cave and peer into the immense Tres Pueblos sinkhole, exploring a hidden world of remarkable scale and beauty.

What you actually see

• Cueva Clara - the enormous main cavern with towering formations.
• The Tres Pueblos sinkhole - the immense gaping sinkhole.
• The underground river - the great river that carved the caves.
• The karst scenery - the lush limestone hills above.

When to go

December to April, the drier season, is best, as heavy rain can cause the park to close for safety when the underground river rises; it is wise to check that the park is open before travelling, as it has faced closures for maintenance and after storms. The caves stay cool and comfortable year-round.

Honest expectations

The park has suffered closures and reduced access following hurricanes and for maintenance, so it is essential to check its current status before visiting, and heavy rain can shut it for safety. Access is by guided tram and walkway rather than free exploration. When open, though, its vast caverns, dramatic formations and immense sinkholes make it one of the most spectacular and worthwhile natural attractions on the island.

Nearby

The Arecibo area and the northwest karst country surround it.