Dominican Republic - Spelunking & Cave Exploration

I just got back from a long (Anniversary) weekend in the Dominican Republic. It was our first time there and we did a little cave exploring in the local Iguabonita Cave system. This was also our first cave exploration.

It was a long walk from the base camp through a well trodden path in the jungle and up over this very steep ridge (see pic above) where our guide showed me mercy and stopped so we could hydrate (and take some pics) Don't let my smile fool you, i was dying. After 10 minutes rest we continued on to the mouth of the cave.

Inside it was beautiful beyond belief. It had its own little ecosystem going on inside. Stalagmites, columns and stalactites, scorpions and spiders and bats and lots of guano (bat shit).

Then we came into the rooms of the cave where the ceiling had collapsed and created a meeting place between the cave and the jungle. There were several of these rooms on our exploration of the cave. I could not believe the beauty.

If anyone goes to the Dominican Republic I highly recommend taking this Iguabonita Cave tour. I also recommend that you are in relatively good shape for the hike...LOL