Cenotes and Cave Sites

The early Taino people believed that caves were doorways or portals between the physical world and the spirit world. It is believed that caves were used as classrooms and for ceremonies, which were conducted in secrecy. The pictographs that we see on the cave walls today werwe most certainly painted by the Tainos. Sticks, dipped in powdered charcoal, mixed with animal fat were the medium of choice, although natural white chalk or red clay were also used.

Tours are offered that take visitors 25 ft below the surface where stalagmite and stalactite formations can be seen.

Pictograph from the Cueva de Ramoncito.

Petroglyph in Cueva de Bienve.

The entrance to Cueva de Berna.

These early artists drew the things that were familiar to them. There are drawings of fish, frogs, turtles, insects, iguanas, sea mammals, corn and dogs, which were already being used by the tainos for hunting and for protection. They drew hunting and fishing scenes, pictures relating to childbirth and reproduction as well as portraying the spirits of the wind, rain and sun. The tainos also drew many pictures of only heads, believing that a person's soul was contained there. In fact they were the inventors of the "happy face", smiling heads, painted in caves and located throughout the island.

While the taino people did not usually live in caves, they only had stone tools, so petroglyphs in caves had to be carved or pecked out. Often these petroglyphs were of a guardian figure, meant to protect all who entered from bad spirits.

Within Parque Nacional del Este there are over one hundred ten cave systems - some of which were used by the Taino. The cave sites studied by Indiana University illustrate the use and importance of caves to the Taino. These caves provide a unique glimpse into the Taino history as they display the myths, beliefs, and events pictured by Taino people. Currently the University is studying cave sites within the National Park of the East.

Jose Maria Cave

The Jose Maria Cave is a remote cavern in the limestone formations of East National Park, Domincan Republic. From a small outer opening, the cave widens to elaborate interior chambers. Over 1200 individual pictographs have been carefully documented over the past several years.

Cueva del Puente

Cueva del Puente is located roughly two miles south-southeast of Guaraguao in the East National Park. It is a medium sized cave with at least four known levels- two levels feature numerous examples of cave art. Investigations have been on-going since January of this year and will continue through this August. Penon Gordo The somewhat smaller cave of Penon Gordo is located due south of Cueva del Puente closer to the end of the coastline of the Park. It contains two levels and more examples of petroglyphs than pictographs. It's unique features include the double, verticle opening of the mouth and larger, more well defined panals of petroglyphs. Investigations will continue through August.

Cueva de Chicho

Though just recently starting the investigations at Cueva de Chicho, numerous interesting aspects of the cave have been discovered. The structure of the cave is a bit different due to the nearly verticle passageway just past the opening which leads into the cave. The cave itself is partially filled with water from a natural spring. During the last expedition to this cave, a team of divers discovered an intact "potiza"; a ceremonial vessel used by the Taino. Investigations will be coninued here through August. Just outside La Romana, visitors can find the Cueva de las Maravillas or Cave of Marvels. This was the first natural cave that was opened to the public in the Dominican Republic. Visitors will be mesmerized by the beauty of these natural caves. A 240 meter footpath takes visitors 25 feet below the surface where you will be captivated by the 500 year old pictographs made by pre-Colombian inhabitants of the island, and enthralled by the stalagmite and stalactite formations. Bring your bathing suit and take a dip in a subterranean river!

Adventure lovers can book excursions with local tour operators where the cave entrance is accessed by horseback, followed by a tour of the seven kilometers of underground caves. A hearty lunch is usually served at the completion of the tour.