Barra Honda National Park
| Description of Barra Honda | Underground: Caving in Barra Honda |
The Terciopelo cave has its name from the fer-de-lance snake (span. terciopelo) which upon first visit was found dead on the bottom of the entrance. Normally however there is no animal life in this cave.
Wear long pants and sturdy shoes with good grip as the ground in the caves is very slick and often you have to climb over broken stalagtites and rocks. Visitors shouldn't have fear of enclosed places and some openings to caverns are narrow, so it might be difficult for big people to enter them.
From the ladder at the entrance you climb down to the bottom of the entrance hall passing by large stalagmites, stalactites, columns and other intriguing formations.
At the bottom of the hall you are 30 m below surface.
Another descent on a ladder brings you to the next cavern: the sala de huevos fritos (fried eggs cave) which among other curious formations features stalagtites resembling fried eggs.
To get to the third cave you have to pass through a narrow opening. The bizarre limestone formations found here are compared to popcorn, roses, grapes and shark teeth.
Another very narrow opening leads to the sala organos: an enormous formation of hollow stalagmites. By tapping lightly on the hanging formation you will hear clear musical notes.
To get to the fifth and last chamber you climb on another ladder down to a high-ceilinged hall which is 60 m below surface.