Cavernas del Venado
Cavernas del Venado
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
80 reviews
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0
SkiRent
San Francisco, CA
Dec 2021 • Family
Our guide did not speak a single word in English. The group was about 25 people. They did not explain that crawling in the cave is challenging to some folks, so we waited for our only guide to walk 3 (!) times folks back to the entrance. The caves were very interesting though
Written December 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Apr 2023 • Couples
Must do if you are in Costa Rica. Lots of history and adventure. It was the perfect combination of thriller and exciment. Wilmer was phenomenal. Reccomendation, pay for the pictures service, is totally worth it! Highly reccommended!
Written April 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sept 2024 • Family
This was by far one of the coolest things I have ever done! Be prepared to get wet you will spend time walking through the caves, seeing bats and crawling and exploring different areas of the beautiful cavern. Be sure to bring water shoes or you can get some there, but you will need socks and make sure that you are comfortable with crawling. Most of it is walkable, but there will be a couple parts where you are going to have to climb and go through narrow and short passages. This is 100% worth the drive from La Fortuna! Once in a lifetime experience.
The guide was very knowledgeable, kind, and helpful. We did it a private tour, which I would recommend! The road to get there isn’t bad and a pretty drive. As a bonus, we saw a family of monkeys when we were done on the property.
The guide was very knowledgeable, kind, and helpful. We did it a private tour, which I would recommend! The road to get there isn’t bad and a pretty drive. As a bonus, we saw a family of monkeys when we were done on the property.
Written September 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brooke B
Provo, UT
Apr 2021 • Family
Loved looking at the huge spiders and bats! Learned a lot about the cave during the tour. A few tight spaces but I'm claustrophobic and I was able to do it. You will get extremely wet and dirty so be prepared and bring a change of clothes. Totally worth it though! I think it's worth it to pay for the photographer as well.
Written April 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dec 2023 • Couples
Wonderful tour by our guide Wilmer. He pointed out interesting finds such as spiders, catfish, fossils. Lots of bats. Wilmer adjusted to what we were up for - we did the birth canal and some scrambling, but passed on the most narrow. This tour is great if you are looking for an adventure. Highly recommend.
Written December 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelfamilychicago
chicago
Dec 2015 • Family
My son and I took about a 30 minute drive from LaFortuna to arrive at the caves. We went on a Sunday and went on the last trip of the day. This is a very WET cave tour, so you should be prepared, swimsuits and clothes that will come out soaked are what you should prepare for. Also bring towels. They will provide you with boots and a head light. They have changing rooms and showers there. You should also be prepared to crawl into tight confined spaces, which may not be for everyone. If you do go, you will see some amazing formations and see a number of animals/ insects that call the cave home. On our hike out of the cave we were lucky enough to see a glass frog with its eggs. Our trip was great as it was only my son and I , it might loose a bit if your tour group size is too big. Our tour guide was a lifelong resident of the area and very knowledgeable. Be aware that when you drive to the caves, you will run out of paved road for a mile or so before you reach the cave site, YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT ROAD.
Written January 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
May 2016 • Couples
My wife and I drove from La Fortuna and stopped at Cavernas del Venado on our way to Monteverde.
I highly recommend taking time to visit. Our tour guide, Alfonso, was very knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about his job. He took us through the caves pointing out the local fauna and interesting rock formations.
If you are able, rent a car and drive yourself. Buying from a tour company is a rip off, and three times more expensive than buying directly from the Caves themselves.
My wife and I were the only people at the caves when we attended (without reservation). Alfonso immediately set us up with helmet and rubber boots. WE had a private tour of the caves. If you attend with a tour company you will be stuck with at least 7 other people.
There were several tight spaces in the caves, and long tunnels that require you to crawl on your knees or stomach. This is not a trip for you if you have injuries that prevent you from crawling, or if you are claustrophobic.
We did not have GPS in our car, but relied on Google maps. While the Caves themselves do not show up on google, the small village of Venado does. Follow google maps to Venado, go straight through the town. Continue roughly 3 km on a gravel road up the hill. There will be a large wooden sign for the caves on your right, and the driveway to get to reception building.
They were pouring concrete for a new swimming pool when we attended. Perhaps a new attraction shortly?
I highly recommend taking time to visit. Our tour guide, Alfonso, was very knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about his job. He took us through the caves pointing out the local fauna and interesting rock formations.
If you are able, rent a car and drive yourself. Buying from a tour company is a rip off, and three times more expensive than buying directly from the Caves themselves.
My wife and I were the only people at the caves when we attended (without reservation). Alfonso immediately set us up with helmet and rubber boots. WE had a private tour of the caves. If you attend with a tour company you will be stuck with at least 7 other people.
There were several tight spaces in the caves, and long tunnels that require you to crawl on your knees or stomach. This is not a trip for you if you have injuries that prevent you from crawling, or if you are claustrophobic.
We did not have GPS in our car, but relied on Google maps. While the Caves themselves do not show up on google, the small village of Venado does. Follow google maps to Venado, go straight through the town. Continue roughly 3 km on a gravel road up the hill. There will be a large wooden sign for the caves on your right, and the driveway to get to reception building.
They were pouring concrete for a new swimming pool when we attended. Perhaps a new attraction shortly?
Written May 22, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lquilla
Guadalajara, Mexico
Sept 2015
We could not reach them by email but we arrived there and they gave us the tour. We reach them by facebook but after we took the tour. It was a different experience than the other activities we did in Arenal and it was awesome.
Written October 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris H
Encinitas, CA
Jan 2024 • Family
If you like adventure and don't mind getting dirty, this is a great spot.
First, we recommend you make a reservation on their website. We filled out their reservation form two days ahead of time. We did not receive any sort of confirmation but when we showed up they had our reservation.
Second, they prefer cash. In fact, when we showed up, they said they only take cash. We didn't have any cash on us and were ready to leave when the person at the counter called "the boss" who said we could use our credit card. So they definitely have the capability to take credit cards but it's a gamble as to whether you'll be able to use your card.
Our guide was Elvis. Very enthusiastic about caving.
We went in early January. We took the advice of the folks at check in and did not bring any cellphones with us. After doing the hike, I would have brought my phone in a waterproof case. Depending on the time of year, the water in the cave is at higher levels. I can only say that on our day in January, I would have brought my phone/camera.
The website says and they provide boots if you wish. We wore keen/teva type sandals that we found to work perfectly.
Showers afterwards are nice (but not heated).
We did not swim in their pool afterwards but it looked nice.
First, we recommend you make a reservation on their website. We filled out their reservation form two days ahead of time. We did not receive any sort of confirmation but when we showed up they had our reservation.
Second, they prefer cash. In fact, when we showed up, they said they only take cash. We didn't have any cash on us and were ready to leave when the person at the counter called "the boss" who said we could use our credit card. So they definitely have the capability to take credit cards but it's a gamble as to whether you'll be able to use your card.
Our guide was Elvis. Very enthusiastic about caving.
We went in early January. We took the advice of the folks at check in and did not bring any cellphones with us. After doing the hike, I would have brought my phone in a waterproof case. Depending on the time of year, the water in the cave is at higher levels. I can only say that on our day in January, I would have brought my phone/camera.
The website says and they provide boots if you wish. We wore keen/teva type sandals that we found to work perfectly.
Showers afterwards are nice (but not heated).
We did not swim in their pool afterwards but it looked nice.
Written January 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SagitarriusTravel
New York City, NY
Dec 2019 • Couples
We drove ourselves to the cave from the La Fortuna area. Google doesn’t work so use Waze. There is one road in particular that is very rocky for a bit of the trip. You can’t drive more than 4-10mph while you’re on it. My boyfriend drove and was very patient with it. We had a 4WD which helped and the caves were completely worth the trip! We went after some rain, so the water was up to our knees in some places. They give you rubber boots which I would wear with socks so you don’t get blisters. I’d recommend wearing quick dry pants so you don’t scrape your knees. And definitely bring a change of clothes - you will get muddy and they have showers to rinse you off afterwards. Bring a bag to put those muddy clothes in. We had to crawl, kneel and bend down in many places.. and that made it even more fun for us. There were spaces that were small that you had to pull yourself through, but our guide said they have various routes in the cave for people if they feel uncomfortable. Our guide was Victor and he was knowledgeable, polite, funny and entertaining. We saw bats, crickets, tarantulas, rock formations and fossils. We learned a lot from our guide and we kept hearing facts he told us for the rest of the trip. And he showed us our first monkeys of the trip when we got out of the cave!! Thanks Victor!! The drive back was challenging. Waze told us to take a different road than on the way in and there was one part of the road that was scary. But we made it!! The caves were amazing and I wouldn’t miss it. You likely wouldn’t experience something like this in the states.
Written December 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olya X
Boston, Massachusetts
Hello. We are looking at your review right now, it's so helpful. We are just wondering where you made a reservation. We can't find such prices anywhere at all and there's no direct site, it seems. They all redirect to Viator and TripAdvisor. Please, let me know either here or at jagilya at gmail. Thank you so much in advance!
Written April 8, 2019
Willz_Thrillz
Arlington, Virginia
Hi there - we actually made a reservation through our hotel's front desk. There is a Costa Rican number posted on Google for their website (+506 2478 8008). I believe I actually called a few days in advance to confirm our reservation. That should be the best way to get in touch with them.
Hope this helps!
Will
Written April 15, 2019
Buenas
Quisiera saber si se puede en Tour de un día y el precio
Gracias
Written August 29, 2018
HaleyMB
Austin, Texas
How difficult is the tour? Crawling and going through tunnels is fine but I tire easily (can do a mile or two hike but four might be too much).
Written August 25, 2017
Willz_Thrillz
Arlington, Virginia
It's not overly tiring, but definitely a tight squeeze in places. If you're going with a small group, as we did, the guides are incredibly understanding and I'm sure they would tailor your route for your needs. Keep in mind, you will be in knee deep water at times. My brother and I took the option to be almost submerged in water, but my parents opted out. I think you'll have more than enough options to have a rewarding experience!
Written April 16, 2019
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