Bats and Caves - A Guatemalan Experience

Bats and Caves - A Guatemalan Experience - Lanquin Caves

When I traveled to Lanquin, Guatemala a few years back, I didn't know anything about the famous Grutas de Lanquin (Lanquin Caves) until a fellow backpacker suggested we go to explore them! Since backpackers are notoriously known for going where few have gone before and even more for taking their time getting there, we luckily arrived to the cave around 5 pm. I say 'Luckily' because if we actually got our acts together and arrived at noon, like we originally planned, I would have missed an extraordinary event!

There are two ways to get to this cave of wonders. You can walk along the banks of Lanquin River or take a huge inner rubber tube and go along with the currents to the mouth of it. As a matter of fact, you can even float inside. Regardless of the way of transport, you'll get the shock of your life! Right as we neared it, along the path, we started to hear a strange sound. It's really difficult to describe, but the best way to say it is BUSY. Out of nowhere thousands and thousands of BATS made their nightly ritual to leave their beloved home in search of food.

This sounds like a scene out of Batman Begins or Returns where a swarm of bats swirled around our heads. But on the contrary, it wasn't frightening nor were they focused on anything other than their tasty eats: Fruits and flowers. The effect of this awesome sight, even if anticipated for hours, could not be fully grasped!

Giddy with anticipation of what's to come, after such a welcome, we were pumped full of adrenaline and ready to rock and roll!

Approximately 100 meters inside the cave you will find the ceremonial alters of the ancient and present Mayans. You'll find these sacred places full of burned out incense and bloody stones, leftovers from sacrificing chickens and other animals. But on top of the creepiness and the powerful heartbeat of the living bats that fill the musky air the huge chambers you will see are going to give you a visual overload. The chambers have cathedral ceilings full of limestone formations. These are also called different animal names because they resemble animals and other figures.

The cave system is so widespread that neither a single explorer nor hardcore spelunker has been known to see where it ends. For the less-than-average explorer there is a well lit path that goes for a good half-kilometer in, deep enough to feel the cave's magical powers.

GETTING THERE: From Lanqun Town the caves are about a 15 minute walk away from the tube ride, or a 5 minute drive, away. Lanqun is a popular day trip from Coban, from where the caves are a two hour drive away.

Note: The path inside the cave maybe be lit, but power outages are a quite common thing here so it would be a good idea to bring flashlights! Plus, the humidity and staleness of the air have formed lots of moss making a super slippery ground so be careful and wear very good walking shoes.

Article Source: TravelFreeGuides.com

About the Author

Marina K. Villatoro, the Travel Experta, lives in Central America - Costa Rica and Guatemala for the past decade. She's traveled these parts extensively and now loves to organize vacations to these amazing parts of the world. Having first hand experience of all the places with her family, she can recommend the best options for you. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!

by: Marina K. Villatoro

Total views: 4 Word Count: 527 Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2010 Time: 5:05 AM - 0 comments

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