Peñablanca Protected Landscape and Seascape

Peñablanca Protected Landscape and Seascape is a nature reserve stretching along the northern Sierra Madre, encompassing hundreds of limestone caves and sections of Pacific coastline. The terrain combines mountainous forest with coastal waters, creating varied landscapes within a single protected area.

The area began as Callao Cave National Park in the 1930s before expanding to its current protected status in 2003. This expansion allowed the entire landscape, including forests and coastal areas, to be protected as one continuous reserve.

The caves contain evidence of ancient communities through rock art and objects left behind, showing how people lived in this region long ago. Walking through the chambers, visitors can sense the deep connection between the earliest inhabitants and this limestone landscape.

The main caves are accessible via walkways and steps that most visitors can navigate without special gear, but exploring deeper caverns requires a guide. Sturdy footwear is essential, and it is wise to ask locally about current conditions before planning your visit.

Callao Cave stands out for the way natural light streams through multiple openings, illuminating the limestone chambers in distinct ways depending on the angle and time of day. This interplay of light and stone creates visual effects that most visitors find unexpected.