I’ve done cave tours before. They are pretty cool; dark and humid with fascinating mineral formations that have been building for millions of years. Tight spaces, creepy bats. Educational and fun. Almost always a hit with kids.
But I also associate cave tours with lines, lots of people, and ropes barring you from wandering too far off the well worn path. When I came upon the Venado caves, however, I knew this tour was different. First of all, the website mentions bringing a change of clothes. Boots, helmets, headlamps, and showers provided. Showers? Oh this is gonna get down and dirty. Sign us up.
So sign us up I did. Waze told me it was a mere hour and 10 minute to the caves, just outside of Arenal. Barely an inconvenience.
What Waze didn’t tell me was that 10 of those miles are on dirt roads! Ugh!
Let me just say, dirt roads are kind of inevitable in Costa Rica. The roads are WAY, WAY better than they were 20 years ago, but still, there’s dirt. If you live here, a 4 wheel drive is necessary. Thankfully we have such a vehicle at this house, so really no problem, except the one problem that I’m a sedan girl. I can count on my hand how many times I’ve driven an SUV type vehicle. But I pulled up my big girl panties, but that beast in 4 wheel drive, and played pot hole dodge ball for what felt like an eternity.
Finally we made it. Given I had read the website, we showed up prepared. Swim short and wickable shirts were on and ready, and we were fitted for boots and helmets in no-time.
But then another group showed up, sans reservation. Our tour guide asks us if we don’t mind waiting and letting them join. But of course, the more the merrier, especially when so far the tour is literally jus us. What was curious is that they were not wearing swim shorts or wickable shirts. Jeans. Cotton blouses. A jacket. I don’t think they read the website.
After some conversing with the tour guide I think this group starts to get the picture. They shed layers. Left cell phones in cars. Put up their hair. Soon we are on our way, hiking down to the caves.
People, this tour did not disappoint. Immediately upon entry the tour guide points out what is possibly the biggest spider I’ve ever seen. Apparently they are fishing spiders. He proceeds to pick it up to show us more closely (no thank you!). He hands it to one of the other group members and she marvels at it on her palm. I’m both in awe and practically panic stricken. I see a fleshy arm shoot out and it’s Theron, putting out his hand for said spider. In my head I’m thinking no, no, no …… but you do you Theron…. when Soren suddenly bursts out “No Theron!” The arm is quickly withdrawn. I try to tell Theron it’s ok, but he can’t hear me between the rushing river water and the voice of the guide. Safety Soren, always at work.
We move on. From there on out it was nothing but constant wading over bumpy rocks in rushing water, sometimes almost up to our waist, and frequent crawling through tiny crevices to reach different rooms deep within the cave. We even climb a ladder at one point to reach the second level of caves. They just go on and on.
At the very end you have the option to wedge yourself through the tiniest of tunnels (I honestly thought I might not fit), and then literally climb up what felt like a bouldering wall, and then back down an alternate route to rejoin the group.
Of the total 8 in our tour group, only 3 raised their hands for this add-on fun: Leif, Theron and myself. I literally shimmied flat on my back through the hole, but it was worth it.
So yeah, no lines, no huge groups of people, and no ropes keeping you away from any parts of the cave. Literally everything was within arms reach, even the enormous and gorgeous calcium deposit that, as the guide explained, has been building there for 6 million years.
If you find yourself anywhere near Lake Arenal in Costa Rica, go check out the Venado Caves. Better yet, start from La Fortuna and you don’t have to navigate all those nasty dirt roads like we did. Just make sure to read the website and be prepared. That girl leaving in sopping wet jeans did not look super pleased.
