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The caves of the Choco

The Cuevas del Choco are an interesting complex of caverns that constitute a magnificent natural formation. With a great landscape and geological value. They are also one of the largest reserves of natural water of the Dominican Republic, being one of the biggest tourist attractions of its coastal plain.

Crystal clear waters make up the complex's caverns, The caves of the Choco.

They are located just 15 minutes from the heart of Cabarete and the beach, in El Choco National Park which has 77.5 square kilometers of pure nature and attractions. It has numerous trails that will take you to a thick tropical forest, where trees like coffee stand out, cocoa and medicinal plants. They are also part of this park, the wetlands and Las Lagunas de Cabarete and La Goleta, including the swampy part that surrounds and communicates them in Sosúa. Along the way you will meet a variety of animal species, like birds, lizards and bats, where more than 30 species of these respective specimens.

Tourism in Las Cuevas del Choco

Cabarete is a fascinating destination where we can find famous sports beaches, like Cabarete Beach, destination of international competitions of professionals in water sports such askitesurf (for example, Master of the Ocean and World Cup. Or destinations such as Las Cuevas del Choco and Las Lagunas de Cabarete and La Goleta.

El Choco offers its visitors an eco-tourist variety to experience exciting experiences directed through trails that lead to diverse landscapes and sightings of some species of animals such as birds., lizards and bats. Towards an encounter with four caves: Voodoo, Pool, Crystal and the Frog. These cavities are connected with underground water systems, conducive to diving or diving into a refreshing swim in an underground environment with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites.

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         This environment is ideal for mountain biking (MountainBike) for its uneven terrain, also as an additional package you can take a horse tour, bird watching and hiking tour. These activities can be done individually or in packages.

In addition to walking on the various trails of El Choco National Park, plunge into a rich bath inside one of the various caves. Practice caving, a sport that derives from caving, which is the science that studies the structural composition of caves. In speleo-diving, people who practice this sport go deep into the caves, through tunnels that connect the different caves. Where divers enjoy the most amazing landscapes that arise from the very bowels of nature.

The Cuevas del Choco through its underground caverns, they give you an unforgettable experience within the heart of nature.

In addition, these caves welcome many cavers who come in wonder to study their underground rock formations., dating back thousands of years and even millions.

If you come individually to the park you will find bilingual guides or you can hire an organized tour from the city by bike or on foot.

     Why is this cave so special for cavers:

Tour the Crystal Cave located within El Choco National Park, in Cabarete. And get to know its incredible gallery of thousands of stalagmites, stalactites and stalagmates (columns) that stand out for their color, appearance and shapes. They receive the most unwary of visitors with all their splendor, its sound at the very discreet contact of the guide resembles a glass bell, It is from that sound that the name of the cave comes.

Having a small lagoon that serves as an entrance to an underground river. Which can be explored with a diving equipment submerged in the caves, where you can emerge into a wide lagoon located around the grotto. This cave has an age of approximately 7 millions of years.

Within the vicinity of El Choco National Park, the largest underwater cave on the island of Hispaniola was discovered in one of its veins, counting a thousand meters in length and some 25 meters deep, was discovered by a group of divers belonging to the Dominican Republic Speleological Society(DRSS).

The discovery of this cave means an expansion of the ecotourism offer in the area

Such important news was released by the president of the Association of Hotels and Restaurants of Sosúa and Cabarete (ASHORESOCA), Thomas Callender. Accompanied by the Vice Minister of Environment, Daneris Santanaand a team of divers made up of Philip Phelton, Eric Hertsens, Dave Bratt, Christal Pitaro and Victoria Alexandro, who showed the expectations that the cave will become a great attraction for lovers of specialized diving around the world.

In this sense, they indicated that Mexico receives around 15, 000 divers a year for this type of diving.

For cavers, Eric Hertsens, Philip yDave Bratt They highlighted that it is one of the most beautiful they have seen since they carried out this activity and that it has at least two entrances. Emphasizing in turn that the cave has unique geological formations and that there are still details to discover.

For the president of Ashoresoca its exploitation must be within the framework of sustainability. Stressing that it is an opportunity for Puerto Plata to continue developing its ecotourism. For Deputy Minister Santana, the finding is good news for the tourism sector and said exploration has not yet concluded..

EXPERIENCE OF THE DEHOVI TEAM IN THE CAVES OF CHOCO:

The Cuevas del Choco are a multi-destination, that offers you a variety of activities in nature.

Although we were a little late to Las Cuevas del Choco. We had the opportunity to tour the park and do some of the activities, such as hiking through the different paths that transport specific areas and landscapes, In addition, we were able to visualize a boarding area where boats are taken to Las Lagunas Cabarete and La Goleta..

After hiking a trail we reached our first stop. The Voodoo Cave to descend said cave you have to go down some 50 steps and then you come to a small natural and crystalline freshwater lagoon, product of the various springs in the area. In this cave in the interior of the mountain you can enjoy a rich bath which we recommend.

Then continue to the Crystal Cave with its gallery of thousands of stalagmites and stalactites stand out for their appearance, color and shapes. At the end of the tour we arrive at La Rana Cave, this tour takes about an hour and thirty minutes.

It is an experience recommended by adventure and contrasts that are lived in such a special destination that it houses an exotic beauty that surprises the most naive of travelers. !Until next adventure Cuevas del Choco!

HOW TO GET:

To get to Las Cuevas del Choco you must go to the province of Puerto Plata, specifically to him Callejon de la Loma, main Street Cabarete, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

Schedule: Monday to Sunday from 8:30 am a 6:30 PM, being Sunday theday, more crowded.

When traveling to Las Cuevas del Choco we recommend you bring:

1. Water
2. Long sports trousers
3. Closed-toe shoes or sandals.
4. Calipso water resistant.
5. repellents(can have mosquitoes).
6. Sunglasses.
7. Sunscreen.
8. Swimsuit.
9. towels.
10. Trash bags(remember the earth is our home and we must maintain natural resources in the best condition for the enjoyment of future generations).
11. The waters are deep, so it is necessary to keep children under surveillance, although they do not specify age on their website for the excursion, children appear in photos.
12. They provide you with the necessary equipment for the excursion. Which are included in the cost, how are vest saves lives, protective helmet with mine torch included.

Tour suitable for all the family, although children under 4 years are not recommended, well you have to walk trails.

• In case you feel lost on the way to Las Cuevas del Choco, consult Google Maps, u orient yourself with the locals, They kindly indicate the road.