Caverna La Gran Galería

Grand Gallery Cave - Boca de la Caverna Gran Galeria


Useful Information

Location: Located on the soutwest flank of the Fila de Cal. Ciudad Neily district, Corredores county, Puntarenas province. East of San Rafael Sur, 45 m north of the road to Bajo de Indios.
(8.657132, -82.917601)
Open:
Fee:
Classification: SpeleologyKarst cave. Tertiary limestones of the Fila de Cal Formation, 60 to 70 Ma old.
Light:
Dimension: L=148 m, VR=26 m, A=240 m asl.
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address: Cavernas Guayabí, Province of Puntarenas, San Rafael 66001, Tel: +506-8891-0062.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
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History

1989 first explored by Gordon McCracken and Carlos Goicoechea.
1990 surveyed and first class Grade 5 map made by the NSS.
1991 used as location for a French movie.

Description

The entrance of Caverna La Gran Galería is located at the bottom of a 100 m long and 70 m wide doline. The portal is 33 m wide and 15 m high, with three access points to the cave passage. The main passage runs for 35 m to the west, then 50 m to the south.

The cave entrance was locally known, but the cave was first explored by Gordon McCracken and Carlos Goicoechea in 1989. One year later a team of cavers from the United States surveyed the cave and drew a Grade 5 map. At this time the farm were the cave is located was owned by Jorge Vidal, called Chiricano. He sold the farm to a man named Alvin, who started to prepare it as a show cave.