Camuy Puerto Rico
The town of Camuy, Puerto Rico was founded in 1807 and
formerly part of Arecibo . It is located in the northwestern
coastal region of Puerto Rico and about 45 minutes from San
Juan.
The name may derive from a Taíno word for what is now known as the Río Camuy. One of the main
attractions is the Camuy River Cave Park or better known as the Camuy Caverns.
Watch a video of Las Cavernas de
Camuy NOW!
It is located in the central west region of Puerto Rico and has one of the most spectacular
natural jewels of all Puerto Rico.
A 268 acre ecosystem that is part of this hemisphere's most impressive subterranean cave network, carved by
the mighty Camuy River.
The Rio Camuy Caves is the third largest subterranean river in the world. Only a small
 part of the complex is open to the public; three crater-like sinkholes and two caves. And what a
great spectacular view it is!
Over the centuries, the caves have been home to indigenous peoples and millions
of bats, but because of the their remote location and rugged terrain, the cave system remained mostly undiscovered
until the late 1940s.
Visitors ride a trolley that descends into a sinkhole lined with dense tropical vegetation while your guide
describes the sights that take them down into Cueva Clara.
At this awe-inspiring underground Camuy cave park you can experience a magical ambiance created by
nature. The caverns are unbelievably huge. The Clara Cave is so large that a 17 story building could fit inside of
it.
Continue and pay a visit to the Spiral Sinkhole and Cave. Walk the 205 steps down into the
sinkhole. The cave is off limits to all  but experienced spelunkers. This sinkhole is believed to have once been an enormous cavern and is
an impressive sight.
Once you've gone through the ramps and stairs, another trolley will take you back to the platform overlooking the
400 foot deep Tres Pueblos Sinkhole.
The process that created the caves started almost 160 million years ago when a great limestone plateau was thrust
up from the Caribbean Sea to form the western half of the island.
Overtime rainwater and wind eroded the surface of the plateau forming large sinkholes and rounded hummocks called
magotes, characteristic of what we now call 'karst' landscape. The process of erosion continues today, helped along
by the dense vegetation that blankets the region. 
Some of this vegetation produces carbon dioxide which, when absorbed by rainwater, forms a mild carbonic acid which
further dissolves the porous limestone.
The park is open Wednesday to Sunday from 8 AM to 3:30 PM and you want to go early as the waiting lines can be
long. Thursday is the best day to go because of the smaller amount of people visiting.
The park is equipped with picnic areas, walking trails, food facilities, and exhibition hall and a souvenir shop.
Call to confirm schedule and space availability at (787) 898-3100.
There are tours to rappel down the side of some sinkholes or kayak down the underground Rio Camuy
by local tourist companies. Check Aventuras PR (http://www.aventuraspr.com/) for tours.
Another place to visit in Camuy is the Potreros Brisas del Mar (http://www.excursionesacaballo.com/ ) - Camping areas, sea views, areas
for activities. Unforgettable open air excursions on horses in Northern Puerto Rico during the weekends.
Don't forget to visit the beautiful ocean front beach, Peñon Brussi Beach and Peñon Amador's beach in Camuy
Puerto Rico.
Map Puerto Rico provides most of
this information as accurate as possible but keep in mind that changes beyond our control may make some of this
information inaccurate. If you have questions or want to report problems to us, please contact us.
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