Grutas de Lanquín, Limestone cave system in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala
Grutas de Lanquín is a limestone cave system in Alta Verapaz featuring multiple underground chambers with natural rock formations. The network extends several hundred meters deep and offers visitors various routes to explore.
The cave system was systematically explored in 1966 by the National Speleological Society led by researcher Russ Gurnee. This expedition opened understanding of the depth and extent of this underground complex.
The cave holds sacred meaning for Maya people, who perform traditional ceremonies here using copal incense and ritual offerings. Locals connect this place to their spiritual practices and visit regularly for personal devotion.
Access is through designated entrances where visitors should join guided group tours. The paths can be slippery and uneven, so sturdy shoes and careful footing are necessary at every step.
Each evening, thousands of fruit bats exit the cave in coordinated flight, creating a moving natural display across the sky. Visitors who stay until sunset can witness this daily phenomenon, which transforms the cave into a living theater.
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