Although mention of the Caribbean might stir up thoughts of beautiful beaches and turquoise water, there is so much more to this diverse region. That includes everything from culture to cuisine, and yes, even caves. While it may not top the list of destinations for avid spelunkers, the region is home to a diverse array of fascinating caves and caverns just waiting to be explored. Boasting everything from underground waterfalls to sparkling limestone formations, these Caribbean caves are a must-visit for adventure lovers.
Cayman Crystal Caves (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands)
Cayman Crystal Caves. Photo by Connie D on TripAdvisor
One of TripAdvisor’s top attractions in the world, Cayman Crystal Caves sit on the northern coast of Grand Cayman Island. Having formed over millions of years, the network of caves boasts spectacular limestone formations, including countless stalactites and stalagmites. The only way to experience this fascinating system is by booking a guided tour. Explore three distinct caves (the Open-Ceiling Cave, the Roots Cave, and the Lake Cave) each with unique features. While the tour does involve an extended amount of walking, sometimes on uneven terrain, it is a fun family-friendly experience.
Green Grotto Caves (Jamaica)
Photo via Green Grotto Caves Jamaica
At 40 feet deep and about a mile long, these famous caves were once the site of filming for a James Bond movie. Mystery and adventure combine to make the Green Grotto Caves beloved by thrill seekers visiting Jamaica. Best accessed via Ocho Rios or Montego Bay, the cave system lies on the island’s northern coast.
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The main highlights are its large labyrinthine layout and the gorgeous subterranean lake, the Grotto Lake. Plus, a tour of this Caribbean cave system is sure to double as a history lesson as it has served as everything from a hideout for runaway slaves to a storage area for arms during World War II. Great for all ages, a tour of the Green Grotto Caves lasts about one hour.
Ceremonial Cave at Sleeping Giant (Belize)
Photo courtesy of The Rainforest Lodge at Sleeping Giant
Not for the faint of heart, the Ceremonial Cave is a cave system found at the Rainforest Lodge at Sleeping Giant. A tour of the guest-exclusive cave begins with a hike through orange orchards, followed by the Belizean jungle, and finally down into the earth. During the tour, get glimpses of Belize’s Maya past through ancient artifacts and even some skeletal remains left behind. Plus, the cave’s many stalactites, stalagmites, and crystal curtains are sure to delight. The hike to the cave takes about 45 minutes, while the entire tour lasts about 4 hours. Expect plenty of ledges and some scrambling, and come prepared to get dirty.
Crystal Cave (Bermuda)
Bermuda’s Crystal Caves. Photo by the Bermuda Tourism Board
Found in northeastern Bermuda, the Crystal Caves are picturesque in every way possible. In addition to its stunning limestone formations, the cave system features a walkway and floating bridge over a crystal-clear lake. Take in the beauty of the rock formations both above and down below in the water. Bermuda’s Crystal Caves have been a crowd favorite for several years, having even enchanted Mark Twain. After visiting, Twain wrote about “a brilliant lake of clear water under our feet and all the roof overhead splendid with shining stalactites, thousands and thousands of them as white as sugar, and thousands and thousands brown and pink and other tints.”
Tours to this easily accessible cave are offered daily.
Rio Camuy Caves (Puerto Rico)
Rio Camuy Caves. Photo via Discover Puerto Rico
Carved out by the eponymous Rio Camuy, this Puerto Rican cave system is as complex as it is breathtaking. Visit the Río Camuy Cave Park and explore to your heart’s content. It’s hailed as the world’s third-largest cavern system. It’s also known as one of the most extensive on this side of the world with 220 underground caves and caverns as well as plenty of underground waterfalls, rivers, and sinkholes. Some of the more accessible caves within the park include one chamber that is an impressive 200 feet high and 700 feet long. The park is very easily accessible from San Juan, and most of the caves feature walkways with handrails.
Crystal Cave (Belize)
Photo courtesy of Belize Caving Expeditions
Often overshadowed by Belize’s more popular caves, the Crystal Cave, found in the Cayo district, is a spelunker’s dream come true. In addition to being one of the most beautiful, it’s one of the most challenging caves in the country, with many believing it can give the famous ATM Cave a run for its money.
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To explore the Crystal Cave, pay a visit to St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park. High intensity from start to finish, a tour of this Caribbean cave begins with a vigorous 50-minute hike followed by plenty of steep drops, climbing, and tight squeezes.
Featured Photo courtesy of Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge
