Cueva del Guacharo, Limestone cave in Caripe, Venezuela
Cueva del Guacharo is a limestone cave in Caripe with passages that stretch through multiple chambers filled with natural rock formations and mineral deposits. The interior remains cool and damp year-round, while natural openings allow light to penetrate the deeper sections.
The first scientific exploration took place in the early 1800s when a European naturalist investigated and documented the cave system. This early study contributed significantly to knowledge about its geological and biological characteristics.
The name comes from the guacharo, a nocturnal bird that inhabits these chambers and produces distinctive calls that echo through the passages. These creatures are central to understanding what makes this space feel alive and different from other caves.
Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since paths through the cave are slippery and uneven, and the air inside is damp and cool. Before visiting, you can learn more about the cave and its residents at a museum located near the entrance.
Each evening, thousands of the birds living there fly out of the cave to search for food and return only at sunrise. This natural event is visible from outside and demonstrates the remarkable coordination of these nocturnal creatures.
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