CAVERNAS DE BARRA HONDA

22 kilometers north of the city of Nicoya, the Barra Honda National Park extends over 2,295 hectares. At an altitude of 450 meters, it has a vast network of caves of limestone origin: from the outside they are easily guessed, they are characterized by large gaping holes that can be seen everywhere. Until now, 19 caves have been discovered, but it is estimated that the site has only been explored to 50% by the scientists. Some are more interesting because of their depth or their characteristics. For example, in La Terciopelo (62 meters deep) we find curious formations of stalactites and stalagmites after a vertical descent of over 30 meters! This cave also has the largest rooms among those that have been discovered. One of them, formed by immaculate white limestone, gives a dazzling effect. La Trampa (which literally means "the trap"), has a perfectly vertical depth of 50 meters and El Pozo Hediondo is known for its abundance of bats. We also find the Perico (21 meters deep), the Sima Ramón Canela (35 meters), the Santa Ana (240 meters) and, above all, the Nicoya (30 meters). This last one is probably the most interesting, since among its giant stalactites, a large quantity of human remains, artifacts, utensils and indigenous ornaments were found in 1970. It would be about a sanctuary in which the tribes gave themselves up to human sacrifices.