Whether you are a spelunker, a diver or just an interested tourist, the cave systems of the Dominican Republic are a spectacle not to be missed. Home to some of the most extensive cave systems in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic has preserved many of these natural man-made wonders in its numerous national parks, for all to experience.

No matter what the region you are visiting, you will be able to several caves to explore in the Dominican Republic. In the Eastern region of the country, you will find the Cueva de las Maravillas as well as the Cuevas "Fun Fun", located in Hato Mayor.

The Cueva de las Maravillas is located at Cumayasa, in the area between San Pedro and La Romana. This is one of the many caves across the country featuring cave painting by the Taino Indians, a tribe thought to exist over 1000 years ago. Visits to Cueva de las Maravillas are quite controlled; exploration is limited to guided tours. The tour itself is quite easy, however, with good access and lighting. There are decent facilities such as washrooms and shops. This is definitely a must-see, family-friendly attraction.

The Cuevas "Fun Fun", originally known as La Cueva del Diablo is thought to be one of the largest in the world. It is certainly one of the longest, spanning over seven kilometers. A very rewarding visit, it is rich with tunnels, underwater rivers and amazing rock formations. It is only accessible only by horseback or on foot, however and is located on private land, so it is necessary to hire a guide or to book a tour in order to explore this attraction. Still, it is a worthwhile effort to experience a visit to "the Devil's Cave".

Near Santa Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, you will find a wide variety of caves, both on land and underwater.

The city park, Mirado del Este, is rife with caves to explore. The most accessible of these is a cave known as "Los Tres Ojos" or "The Three Eyes". Descend a large staircase carved into the side of the cave, and you will be treated to three beautiful lagoons that adventurous divers will sometimes explore.

Archeologically, one of the most stunning cave systems is that of El Pormia. Located just outside of Santa Domingo, not far from San Cristobal, this system is made up of approximately 54 caves, each riddled with the pictographs and petroglyphs of the Taino Indians. These caves are thought to have had spiritual significance to the Taino tribe and the stories etched into the walls seem to depict their environment, culture, and religious deities.

The Samana peninsula, located in the northeastern part of the country has a plethora of caves to investigate. The history of these caves is rich and exciting as they are thought to have been the hideout for many of the famous pirates of the Caribbean.

There are underwater caves in this area, as well. The most famous of these are the caves associated with the rock formation called Las Ballenas or The Whales. The caves and tunnels have long been favorites of divers all over the world.

There are several underwater cave systems on the North coast as well. In this same region, you will find the El Choco National Park. The beautiful caves in this area are accessible by hiking or riding horseback through the lush tropical jungle.

Whether you are a curious tourist or a seasoned explorer, the caves of the Dominican Republic are highly recommended as a spectacular addition to your Caribbean vacation.