The great mouth
Stalactites and forest.
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Guácharo Cave is a large limestone cave in the mountains of northeastern Venezuela. A wide mouth hung with stalactites opens in green forest, and inside dark chambers hold columns and rock formations, filled with the calls of thousands of birds in the gloom. It is the longest cave in Venezuela at more than 10 km, with a temperature of about 19 °C and near-total humidity all year. Thousands of guácharos, or oilbirds, live in it; these night birds fly out at dusk to feed on fruit and return before dawn, and they give the cave its name. The cave was a sacred place for the Chaima people. You go in with a park guide and walk the first section of the cave by lamplight, seeing the nests, stalactites and stalagmites. At dusk you can watch the birds pour out of the entrance. The cave is about 5.5 km in a straight line west of Caripe, about 12 km by road. The floor is wet and slippery, so wear proper shoes; rubber boots can be rented. Do not use flash or disturb the birds. The UK advises against all but essential travel to Venezuela, so check current advice before you go.
Stalactites and forest.
In the dark.
At sunset.
Cueva del Guácharo National Park, near Caripe, Monagas State
No, visits are with a park guide.
At dusk, from the entrance.