La Cueva Del Guacharo is Venezuela’s longest, largest and most visited cave, located just over 10 km from the city of Caripe. Only 11 km of this cave have been explored to date with only 1.2 km being open to tourists (In August/September, if the rains have been heavy the water level will restrict visits to only the first 500m). The cost to enter the cave (at the time of writing) was 5,000 Bs per person (approx $2). For this price we received a guided tour of the cave. Bags cannot be taken into the cave but can be left near the ticket office. There are bathroom facilities near the reception area but they are not recommended! Camera cases are allowed and pictures can be taken in the cave (although you may have limited success in the dark). Flashes can only be used once you have passed through the first chamber of the cave. The tour lasted approximately an hour and a half. Although our guide spoke no English, we lucked out as one of the guys on the tour with us (arranged by Posada Nena) was able to translate.
Guacharo Cave (Cueva Del Guacharo), Venezuela
Being our first time in a cave, we were astounded. The cave was massive with huge galleries interconnected by narrow passages. It was completely dark with only the lanterns of the guides leading the way. The first chamber of the cave is home to the very interesting Guacharo who is very unique in behavior and features. This large bird has a wingspan of over a meter, a curved beak and long whiskers. They are nocturnal and only leave the cave at night in search for fruit. Guacharos use a bat-like echo-location system in order to maneuver. The strange shrieking noise of the birds (Alfred Hitchcock actually sent a team to Venezuela to capture the sounds of the Guacharos for “The Birds”) fills the first chamber and it is somewhat of a relief when you pass through the narrow passage into the second chamber known as El Silencio due to the absence of the loud birds. Although the birds got the cave named after them, it is also home to spiders, crabs, fish, frogs bats and some very bold rats who don’t mind chowing down on a tasty meal of dead Guacharo right in front of you. The cave is filled with amazing rock formations of which a few actually do resemble the names which have been given to them (the leaning tower of Pisa, the Piano, Moses etc.). Although we are certainly not experts in stalactites and stalagmites we thoroughly enjoyed this visit to the cave.
The only negative thing about the experience was the mass number of tourists that we had to share the cave with. There were only a few places along the way where we did not have groups in front and behind us. Despite this fact, the cave still maintained its majesty and was well worth the visit. If you are planning on a trip to the Cave of the Guacharos wear long pants and non-slippery sneakers/shoes as trampling through the bird and bat dropping can get VERY dirty and slippery. We did see one local manage the trip in heals but we imagine that she was fairly covered in guano by the time she emerged.
At the entrance/exit of the cave there is a small stream and some running taps that you can use to attempt to clean the droppings off of your shoes. Our hand sanitizer definitely came in handy.
Just across the road from the cave and about a 20 minute hike along a marked trail there is a beautiful high waterfall (La Paila) that is well worth the walk.
See all of our photos of Guacharo Cave
Comments
Mike - April 9, 2010 3:05 PM
I visited the cave in 2005 with my wife (who is from Cumana). The tour takes you in 1200 meters, and the cave has been explored ato just over 10KM. However, our guide said some (scientists?) speculate that Cueva del Guacharo could extend all the way to Colombia.
Anil Seecharan - December 26, 2010 11:55 PM
The caves was a fantastic experience for me in 2005, the guides were helpful and the trip memorable.
kevin wicks - May 13, 2011 10:19 AM
this information sucks balls