Get off the beaten path on an underground adventure.

The caves of Puerto Rico offer adventurous visitors the opportunity to go hiking, spelunking, rock climbing, rappelling, or rafting in some of the Island's less-visited parts.

Wade through narrow rock openings waist-deep in an underground river with only a headlamp for illumination. Rappel through the mouth of a cavern alongside a giant waterfall. Discover indigenous hieroglyphs after a climb. Or, if you're looking for an easy hike and some stunning pictures, that's readily available, too. The caves of Puerto Rico offer diverse and unique ways to experience the Island that few tourists or even locals know about. 

Here are some of the best caves you can explore while visiting Puerto Rico:

Two people exploring the Cañon de Tanamá in Utuado. 

Exploring the Cañon de Tanamá in Utuado. 

Cañon de Tanamá

Utuado

Deep in the mountainous region of Puerto Rico is the Tanamá river of Utuado. Over millions of years, its flowing waters have carved a network of caverns, canyons, and tunnels in the limestone cliffs. 

Several ecotourism companies lead caving, cave tubing, rappelling, hiking, and rock-climbing tours in this area, among them Aventuras Tierra AdentroTanama River AdventureTanamá ToursCacique EcoAdventures, Caribe Adventures and others. All will require participants to be in excellent physical condition, but the level of difficulty and type of activities varies according to the operator and the tour you choose.

Have a Canyoning Adventure in Puerto Rico

Camuy Caves

Explore the ecosystems of Río Camuy, the third largest underground river in the world.

Río Camuy Cave Park

Camuy

You can find the world’s third-largest underground river and one of the more complex cave systems on the planet at the Río Camuy Cave Park. Explore its ecosystems — where there are over 16 bat species, the natural forms of stalagmites, stalactites, and even sinkholes.

You can visit the park Wednesday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. AST. Reservations are required. For more information, please contact the Department of Natural Resources by calling (787) 898-3100 / (787) 999-2200 ext. 3474 or emailing [email protected]

Learn more about things to do in Camuy

Interior view of Cueva del Viento in Guajataca State Forest

View of Cueva del Viento in Guajataca State Forest 

Cueva del Viento

Isabela

Located inside the Guajataca State Forest in the northwestern town of Isabela, Cueva del Viento (Wind Cavern) is easily accessible via trails originating at the parking area and ranger station at KM 9 on Route 446. Once you reach the cave entrance, steps lead down, but inside there is no illumination or guardrails, so bring sturdy footwear and flashlights if you want to explore the cave. The cave is made of limestone, with beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations. Be warned the cave is also home to many, many bats.

First time visitor? Plan your trip around the Island.

An expansive view of the green hills of Morovis, Puerto Rico.

Morovis is a fertile farming region.

Cavernas Las Cabachuelas

Morovis

In the center of the Island, the town of Morovis boasts one of the most impressive underground systems in Puerto Rico, the Cavernas Las Cabachuelas, or Cabachuelas caverns. It's comprised of over 60 caves, caverns, and ravines that house diverse flora and a variety of wildlife, including several endangered species. Be amazed by the intricate stalactite and stalagmite formations, and discover the art etched and painted in the caverns by the Taíno people, who originally inhabited the island. Explore this natural wonder on a guided tour offered by the Cabachuelas Worker Cooperative (CABACOOP) or the Diógenes Colón Gómez Cultural Center.