About
Cueva de las Maravillas, also known as the Cave of Wonders, is a limestone cave system on the San Pedro de Macorís-La Romana Highway, around Km 18 in La Altagracia Province, Dominican Republic. It sits in the San Pedro de Macorís and La Romana area of the country's southeast, and it makes a good visit for anyone interested in the island's earliest human history.
What you will see
The cave is known for its ancient rock art. Its walls carry petroglyphs and pictographs left by the Taíno, the indigenous people of the island, and these images are said to be more than 800 years old. Visits are led by a guide through illuminated chambers, which lets you look closely at the carvings and paintings as you move through the limestone formations.
Planning your visit
- Type of visit: a guided tour through the cave's lit chambers.
- Best for: travellers interested in pre-Columbian art and Taíno culture, or anyone curious about the island's underground landscape.
- Getting there: the cave lies on the highway between San Pedro de Macorís and La Romana, so it can fit into a day trip from either town.
- Contact: +1-809-696-0040, which is worth calling ahead of your trip to check arrangements.
The cave is also listed under the names Cuevas de las Maravillas, so you may see either spelling on maps and signs. Combined with the nearby towns of San Pedro de Macorís and La Romana, it offers a quieter, more historical side to a trip along the southeastern coast.