Venado Caves (Cavernas de Venado)
San Carlos, Alajuela, 21007
Costa Rica is famous for its above-ground attractions, including rainforests and volcanoes, but the Cavernas del Venado prove that the small Central American country’s beauty isn’t just surface-level. The subterranean caverns—whose name means Deer Caves—contain waterfalls, stalactites and stalagmites, an underground river, and some weird and wonderful wildlife. They can be explored on guided tours.
The basics
If you’re the kind of traveler who prefers crawling through narrow spaces, splashing through underground pools, and coming face-to-face with spiders the size of your palm to taking leisurely strolls along maintained boardwalks, you’ll love the Cavernas del Venado. On a guided tour you’ll be handed a hard hat, rainboots, and a headlamp, and led through some tight, damp spaces to find the caves’ buried treasures.
The caves can only be visited on a tour. You can either arrange these independently and make your own way to the caves, or hop on a guided tour from La Fortuna.
Things to know before you go
- A moderate amount of fitness and agility is required for this tour.
- Tours last for about one hour.
- Tours are suitable for kids as long as they can clamber independently and follow the guide’s instructions.
- Because there are many confined spaces in the caves, this attraction is not recommended for those who have claustrophobia.
- You’ll be given safety gear and rainboots, but it’s a good idea to wear waterproof or quick-dry clothing and to bring a change of clothes. Showers are available after.
How to get there
The caves are about a 50-minute drive northeast of La Fortuna, the town that many travelers use as a base for exploring the Arenal area. You can drive there, but note that the road is unpaved and rough in places—4-wheel-drive is preferable. Give yourself plenty of time if you’re driving, so you can take it easy on the roads. For a more convenient way to go, consider joining a tour that leaves from La Fortuna.
When to get there
Cave tours take place a few times a day, from early morning to early afternoon. It’s important to book a slot in advance. The caves can be visited in any season and any weather, but expect there to be more water inside the caves on rainy days.
Other caves in Costa Rica
If you like the idea of exploring Costa Rica’s caves but aren’t visiting the Arenal area, you could visit the caves in Barra Honda National Park instead. They’re on the Nicoya Peninsula, about 38 miles (62 kilometers) northeast of Samara Beach. Tours run in the dry season only (November–April) and are pretty adventurous, as you’ll need proper climbing gear to get inside, but are worth the effort because they’re in good condition.
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