Las Cuevas de Cabarete
Thirty limestone caves inside El Choco National Park, three open to the public — including freshwater cenote pools where you can swim. Stalactites, stalagmites, Taíno petroglyphs, and a 90-minute guided walk through the kind of geology you don't expect in the Caribbean.
Most resort guests don't know there's a cenote system 35 minutes from Cofresí. Now you do.
Las Cuevas de Cabarete sits inside the Monumento Natural Lagunas Cabarete y Goleta, a small protected area on the edge of El Choco National Park. The full system contains roughly 30 limestone caves formed when the Caribbean Sea sat at a higher level millions of years ago, but only three are open to visitors on the standard guided tour: Cueva del Vudú (Voodoo Cave), Cueva del Museo (Museum Cave, named for its display of Taíno artifacts and petroglyphs), and Cueva del Cristal (Crystal Cave, named for the freshwater pool inside that you can swim in). The whole tour takes 90 minutes with a park-licensed guide.
The headline for most visitors is the swim. Cueva del Cristal contains a clear freshwater cenote pool — cool spring water at the bottom of a partially open cave with shafts of sunlight coming through the ceiling. You can climb in and float, swim around the chamber, or just dip your feet. The water is fresh, cool, and very clear. Other Caribbean destinations charge $50+ for cave-pool swims; Cabarete charges $20 for the whole 3-cave tour and the swim is included.
What to expect on the walk
The cave entrances sit at the edge of a parking area off the El Choco access road, just a few minutes outside Cabarete town. Sign in at the small visitor station, pay the entry fee in cash, and a park guide will walk you through the trail and into each cave in sequence. Some sections require crouching, climbing rocky stairs, or walking on uneven cave floors — sturdy shoes are essential. Each cave is roughly 5–10 minutes inside, with the guide pointing out formations, the petroglyphs in the Museum Cave, and the swim entry in Crystal Cave at the end. Bring a flashlight (most operators provide one but extras help).
When to go
Cooler hours — early morning (8–10 AM) or late afternoon (3–5 PM). Mid-day is hottest on the approach trails. The caves themselves are naturally cool year-round (around 70°F / 21°C). Closed on Mondays at most operators; verify open days with the Cofresí tour desk before booking. Easy half-day from the resort: leave at 9 AM, back by 1:30 PM with time for a Cabarete lunch on the way home.
Inside the caves
Practical tips
Photo gallery
Photo placeholders — real images dropping soon.
Stay at Cofresí. Swim in a cave.
Las Cuevas de Cabarete is 35 minutes from Cofresí. Most underrated half-day on the menu — $20 entry, 90-minute guided tour, freshwater cenote swim included. Pair with Cabarete beach for a full day.
See the Cofresí Resort Package