Cueva del Lucero

Cuevas Lucero - Lucero Caves

Useful Information

Location:	Cerro de las Cuevas, Ward Guayabel, Juana Díaz. (18.080278, -66.478296)
Open:	only after appointment at given telefone number. [2020]
Fee:	yes. [2020]
Classification:	Karst cave Stone Forest
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:	A=470 m asl.
Guided tours:
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:	Duane W. Eichholz (1993): Rock Art From Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico, Proceedings of the XV International Congress for Caribbean Archaeology, San Juan de Puerto Rico 1995, International Association for Caribbean Archaeology. online pdf
Address:	Bo. Guayabal Sector Cueva Carr. 552, Juana Díaz, Tel: +1-787-213-5311.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

In the mountains of Juana Díaz is one of the most unusual places in Puerto Rico, the bosque rocoso (stone forest). The marble forms pointy pinnacles of up to 6 m height. The area also contains caves, tow of them which are very close together are called Cueva del Lucero or Cuevas Lucero (Caves of the Moon). One is the Cave of the Creation with a main passage, which leads to a huge chamber with a volume of 3.000 m³. It is illuminated ba a karstfenster in the ceiling, hence the name. The second cave is called Cave of the Waters, with an up to 20 m high ceiling.

The caves are famous for their Taino paintings and engravings. According to current interpretation they depict the cosmos, earth, the milky way, the creation legend and the gods. Even the priesthood, all with diadems showing rank in a code, are depicted.

There are many more caves in the area, 17 were explored and surveyed, among them Las Golondrinas and Quince Cabros. But the stone forest and the caves are threatened by quarries which surround them from all sides. Its still unclear if economic arguments or nature and culture protection will win.