Maravillas Cave of Wonders
The Maravillas Cave of Wonders, or, in Spanish, Cuevas de las Maravillas, located between San Pedro and La Romana in Cumayasa, Dominican Republic, is a spectacular cave system that holds an artistic record of the indigenous Taino people who first greeted Columbus upon his arrival in the Lesser Antilles Islands in 1492. The Dominican Republic is renowned for its extensive cave systems that are the largest concentration of caves in the Caribbean.
It’s about 3 hours south east of the Villa, but well worth the drive:
The geological formations within the cave are reason enough to explore the underground treasure trove, but the incredibly detailed paintings, left behind by the native Taino, only adds to its allure, especially for those interested in historical cultures. Any remaining record of the Taino is extremely significant, as once the Europeans arrived in the Caribbean, the culture went into a steep decline due to disease and the violence inflicted on them by the Spanish. The Taino culture became extinct in the mid-1500s, largely due to the smallpox epidemic that began earlier in the century.Today, there are over two-hundred meters of the cave system available for public perusal. The almost supernatural underground environment is made up of stalactites, stalagmites, huge rock formations, water features and the Taino cave paintings. The paintings range from stick figure-like depictions of humans alongside some beautiful, somewhat impressionistic depictions of animals.
The grounds around the cave area are well maintained, and feature landscaping that consists of some attractive plants of the semi-arid variety. There are public restrooms, a cafeteria and a museum with a shop. Sensor-controlled lights insure visitors have ample vision for underground maneuvering, and ramps and steps help make negotiating the twists and turns inside the cave very easy and safe
Management of the Cave of Wonders is overseen by an independent board that works closely with the Ministry of the Environment. The control, by the independent board, is of a strict nature, which means only small groups under the control of guides are permitted. Every step is taken to prevent any damage to any part of the cave system. No photographs are allowed inside the cave system, unless approval has been granted by the board for some journalists and scientists. Parts of the cave system is handicapped accessible, and an elevator is available for those who have difficulty walking up and down steep elevation changes. Tours are normally an hour in length, and proper walking shoes are recommended.
The Cave of Wonders is a bucket list kind of destination for anyone interested in nature and history.