Barra Honda is unique among the National Parks of Costa Rica: its main attraction
is an intricately large system of limestone caverns which house a multitude of
capricious forms and figures.

Barra Honda is a 450 m high, nearly flat mesa looming 300 m above the Tempisque
valley. It mainly consists of coral reef aging over 60 million years. Tectonic faulting has
uplifted the area from the seabed 70 million years ago and rains created underground
waterways. The constant dropping of rainwater on calcium carbonate has then created
these underground art galleries - fancies of nature grown over millenniums of years.The
caves of Barra Honda were only explored in the late 60ies and until now only 19 of the
42 caves have been surveyed. People before believed that Barra Honda was a volcano
because they misinterpreted the whirring of bat wings for volcanic activity and the aroma
of guano for sulfur.

The bat's cave, Pozo Hediondo (Fetid Cave), is home to thousands of these flying mammals.
Half an hour after sunset clouds of bats surge from their underground dwellings to fly out into
the night.

The caves of Barra Honda are well preserved as their vertical entrances are difficult to negotiate.
Nevertheless have human skeletons and pre-Columbian artifacts’ been found in

The 30 m deep Nicoa Cave.

The deepest of the Barra Honda caves is Santa Ana which sinks to
249 meters. La Trampa (the trap) has the deepest precipice - a vertical
entrance of 30 m length. Speleologists and spelunkers from around the
world are drawn to Barra Honda.

One of the largest and most beautiful caves is Terciopelo which along with
la Cuevita, is the only one accessible for the public. Tours must be
accompanied by two local guides.

At the entrance to the cave you will be fit with a rappelling harness and helmet.
The harness is only a security for the 17-meter descent on an aluminum ladder.

Duration: Full day! 7:00AM TO 4:00PM

Wear: Hiking shoes, shorts, t-shirt and cap or hat

What to Bring: Binocular, camera and insect repellent

Included: Air conditioned round trip transportation, entrance fee to the park, equipment rental and guide.

Cost: $ 125 per person. (Minimum 2 people)

Groups more than 4 people: $100 per person

Not included: Meals and tips.

Regulations and policies: All tours must be reserve with a minimum of 24 hours in advance for the proper schedule of activities. Cancellation of a tour must be within 24 hours.  Reef travel does not have any responsibility or liability for any accident that could occur on such activity.