Barra Honda National Park, Limestone cave network in Nicoya Canton, Costa Rica.
Barra Honda National Park is a protected natural area in the Nicoya region featuring dry forest vegetation and a network of limestone caves beneath a central ridge. The site includes more than 40 distinct caves of varying sizes, from easily accessible chambers to very deep formations filled with stalactites and stalagmites.
The area became a national park in 1974 to protect the cave system and dry forest. Scientific exploration of the caves only began in the 1960s after researchers discovered their vertical entrances, revealing what had remained hidden for centuries.
The caves have been known for thousands of years, as shown by pottery and bones that archaeologists have found in the passages. These discoveries reveal how people once took shelter here, making the site a place with deep human roots.
Visitors should arrange guided tours with proper equipment, as most caves are accessible only with professional supervision. Sturdy shoes and reasonable physical fitness are necessary, especially for descending into the deeper chambers.
One of the caves extends 249 meters below the surface, making it among the deepest in the park, with underground pools at its base. This extreme depth combined with subterranean water features makes it a rare formation within Central American karst landscapes.
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