Though point out of the Caribbean may fire up ideas of gorgeous seashores and turquoise water, there may be a lot extra to this various area. That features every part from tradition to delicacies, and sure, even caves. Whereas it might not prime the checklist of locations for avid spelunkers, the area is dwelling to a various array of fascinating caves and caverns simply ready to be explored. Boasting every part from underground waterfalls to glowing limestone formations, these Caribbean caves are a must-visit for journey lovers.
Cayman Crystal Caves (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands)
Cayman Crystal Caves. Picture by Connie D on TripAdvisor
One in every of TripAdvisor’s prime sights on this planet, Cayman Crystal Caves sit on the northern coast of Grand Cayman Island. Having shaped over hundreds of thousands of years, the community of caves boasts spectacular limestone formations, together with numerous stalactites and stalagmites. The one approach to expertise this fascinating system is by reserving a guided tour. Discover three distinct caves (the Open-Ceiling Cave, the Roots Cave, and the Lake Cave) every with distinctive options. Whereas the tour does contain an prolonged quantity of strolling, generally on uneven terrain, it’s a enjoyable family-friendly expertise.
Inexperienced Grotto Caves (Jamaica)
Picture through Inexperienced Grotto Caves Jamaica
At 40 ft deep and a few mile lengthy, these well-known caves have been as soon as the positioning of filming for a James Bond film. Thriller and journey mix to make the Inexperienced Grotto Caves beloved by thrill seekers visiting Jamaica. Greatest accessed through Ocho Rios or Montego Bay, the cave system lies on the island’s northern coast.
Related: Right here’s How You Can Help Hurricane Beryl Aid Efforts within the Caribbean
The primary highlights are its giant labyrinthine format and the beautiful subterranean lake, the Grotto Lake. Plus, a tour of this Caribbean cave system is certain to double as a historical past lesson because it has served as every part from a hideout for runaway slaves to a storage space for arms throughout World Battle II. Nice for all ages, a tour of the Inexperienced Grotto Caves lasts about one hour.
Ceremonial Cave at Sleeping Large (Belize)
Picture courtesy of The Rainforest Lodge at Sleeping Large
Not for the faint of coronary heart, the Ceremonial Cave is a cave system discovered on the Rainforest Lodge at Sleeping Large. A tour of the guest-exclusive cave begins with a hike via orange orchards, adopted by the Belizean jungle, and at last down into the earth. In the course of the tour, get glimpses of Belize’s Maya previous via historical artifacts and even some skeletal stays left behind. Plus, the cave’s many stalactites, stalagmites, and crystal curtains are positive to please. The hike to the cave takes about 45 minutes, whereas the whole tour lasts about 4 hours. Anticipate loads of ledges and a few scrambling, and are available ready to get soiled.
Crystal Cave (Bermuda)
Bermuda’s Crystal Caves. Picture by the Bermuda Tourism Board
Present in northeastern Bermuda, the Crystal Caves are picturesque in each approach doable. Along with its gorgeous limestone formations, the cave system encompasses a walkway and floating bridge over a crystal-clear lake. Soak up the fantastic thing about the rock formations each above and down under within the water. Bermuda’s Crystal Caves have been a crowd favourite for a number of years, having even enchanted Mark Twain. After visiting, Twain wrote about “an excellent lake of clear water beneath our ft and all of the roof overhead splendid with shining stalactites, hundreds and hundreds of them as white as sugar, and hundreds and hundreds brown and pink and different tints.”
Excursions to this simply accessible cave are provided day by day.
Rio Camuy Caves (Puerto Rico)
Rio Camuy Caves. Picture through Uncover Puerto Rico
Carved out by the eponymous Rio Camuy, this Puerto Rican cave system is as complicated as it’s breathtaking. Go to the Río Camuy Cave Park and discover to your coronary heart’s content material. It’s hailed because the world’s third-largest cavern system. It’s also referred to as probably the most intensive on this facet of the world with 220 underground caves and caverns in addition to loads of underground waterfalls, rivers, and sinkholes. A few of the extra accessible caves inside the park embrace one chamber that’s a formidable 200 ft excessive and 700 ft lengthy. The park could be very simply accessible from San Juan, and a lot of the caves function walkways with handrails.
Crystal Cave (Belize)
Picture courtesy of Belize Caving Expeditions
Usually overshadowed by Belize’s extra common caves, the Crystal Cave, discovered within the Cayo district, is a spelunker’s dream come true. Along with being probably the most lovely, it’s probably the most difficult caves within the nation, with many believing it may give the well-known ATM Cave a run for its cash.
Related: Have You Been to These Belize Caves that Are Far Off the Crushed Path?
To discover the Crystal Cave, pay a go to to St. Herman’s Blue Gap Nationwide Park. Excessive depth from begin to end, a tour of this Caribbean cave begins with a vigorous 50-minute hike adopted by loads of steep drops, climbing, and tight squeezes.
