Cave Exploration

Location:
Parque Principal
Near San Gil, San Gil, Colombia

Trekking

By Chantelle

Tourists brave enough to ignore the bad publicity given to such a culturally diverse country, must surely contain a sense of adventure somewhere inside themselves. And there's no better place for thrill seekers in Colombia than the small town of San Gil in the mountain province of Santander. Ask one of the local tourism companies about their extreme sports and one of the first places they'll tell you about is the caves. These caves are unlike those in most developed tourist destinations. In fact, if you agree to the challenge, you might find yourself walking through private farmlands in search of a gaping hole known by the locals as "cow cave." This might seem like a strange name for a cave, but it was named so after one of the nearby farmers stumbled across a cow that had fallen into the hole. You begin your descent into the cave by climbing down a ladder. Once underground, your local guide (usually a student from a nearby town) will have you crawling through bat droppings, taking risks underwater and admiring intricate rooms with fascinating formations. You'll know you've reached the end of your journey when you come to a beautiful waterfall, still inside the cave. The water here is freezing cold and of the utmost purity. Be sure to give it a try before heading back out.

Getting There
The easiest way to get to San Gil is to rent a car, but there are also buses that run directly to the town from Bucaramanga. When you get to the station, take a taxi to "el parque principal" and look for the "Turismo de Aventura" signs

Price Description: For a private, three-hour adventure tour of the caves you can expect to pay around $20 per person. You can negotiate the price depending on how many people you are traveling with, and whether or not you want to group the cave tour with some of the other tours offered.

Relative price: Budget

Travel Skills: intermediate/somewhat difficult.

You Need to Bring: Don't wear your best clothes and be sure to bring a camera. The guide has a water tight pouch that will prevent it from getting wet when you travel underwater from one room to the next.

Paragliding, river rafting, rappelling, horseback riding, paintball, kayaking

Currencies accepted
US dollar, Colombian Peso

Contact Information:
Phone: 77236162 / cell 3163990068
E-mail: turismoaventura(at)remove-this.sangil.com.co
URL: www.sangil.com.co