Hike to Convent Cave.

This place is the only example of a rainforest surrounded by a subtropical dry forest, in Puerto Rico. When it's closed during weekdays and some weekends you must leave your car right in front of a private gate an start walking towards a dirt trail. On this dirt trail you have a palm plantation and other different plantations on both sides along this road. If open you can take your car closer to the main cave trail and you save time. After about 45 minutes of walking (if the gate is closed) there’s a trail on the left side that leads up the cave that used to be used as a guano mine for commercial use in the 1990’s (which is interesting to explore even though its no the main cave). After this you walk for approximately an hour and arrive at a ranch built by the government for commercial use. On the left side of this ranch starts the trail for the main cave (convent cave). Walking along the river one can appreciate different types of birds, spiders, butterflies, and other forest animals. Then, walking on the main trail for 30 minutes you get to the first water cave on the foot of the mountain. You can choose to go in, but I suggest to do it with the right equipment and with someone who is experienced. An amazing discovery lies ahead!

Fifteen minutes after passing the water cave you get to an impressive canyon which descends for 326 feet. It is fairly easy to climb down, but using a rope for security is suggested. At the canyon's ceiling you can see huge snakes (boa snake) sleeping waiting for the bats coming out to feast on them. At the bottom of the canyon you can hear the amazing sound of the underwater river and cascades. You can keep walking inside the canyon's cave but again, I suggest you be accompanied by an expert and have the right equipment. Along the walking trail after another 25 minutes you get to the main cave, ascending for 10 minutes you get to the breathtaking entrance of convent cave, which I like to call nature’s cathedral, it feels like walking into an gothic church with high ceilings, low light and ceiling holes that let sun rays come through, it is a breathtaking sight. This cave has on of the biggest bat population in Puerto Rico with 100,000 individuals.

There's a lot of beautiful animal species and trees, so I strongly suggest bringing a camera for capturing beautiful photos.

During weekdays it’s open from 2p.m. to 8p.m. and you get provided equipment and a personal guide for 30.00 dollars. During some weekends is closed, but if you like a challenge and like entering closed areas, with lot of precaution you can enter the cave area. This area is protected by the federal government.

Remember to always take your trash with you.

Geo-coordinates: 18°02'51.5"N 66°44'54.1"W