Available languages
7 hours
Mobile ticket
Sit in the front row to watch a unique spectacle of nature. You will visit the Mata de Plátano Nature Reserve which houses in one of its caves an estimated population of 300 thousand bats and you will have the privilege of observing the impressive exit of these from the cave, to go in search of food in the sunset.
You will be accompanied by Certified Interpreter Guides and biologists, who will explain the different species of bats that inhabit the cave and the importance of these in nature. With the departure of the bats, you can also observe the interaction of the endangered Puerto Rican Boa, Chilabothrus inornatus, feeding on them. A unique experience of contact with nature, which has been filmed for TV documentaries.
With your participation in this tour in the Mata de Plátano Nature Reserve, you will help its maintenance and conservation.
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
San Juan Metro Region
Hotel pickup or San Juan area AirB&B
Arecibo
You will explore the Mata de Plátano Nature Reserve in Arecibo, an enclave of great relevance to various fields of science and conservation. This magical place was the scene of documentary filming presented on Discovery Channel, where you will be part of an exclusive event that only here you can witness. We will walk 30 minutes and delve into the history and wealth of the Mata de Plátano Nature Reserve, visiting the enigmatic Cueva Culebrones. This cave is a key area for bat conservation, due to its role as a refuge for an estimated population of more than 300,000. You will be able to observe closely the behavior of the endangered Puerto Rican Boa, Chilabothrus inornatus, in its predation of bats that emerge in large groups of Culebrones Cave. In addition, you will discover the importance of the Karso ecosystem and understand why its protection is vital.
Bottled water
Snacks
Transportation (pick-up from hotels in metropolitan area) air-conditioned vehicle
Hull for cave exploration, lamp for the hull.
Tips
Select a pickup point
Pickup included
Duration: 4 hours
Tour without Transportation: Ideal if you have rented car. We will meet at a safe meeting point and follow me to the Nature Reserve.
15 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
TahinaM,Mar 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
If you’re looking for a truly unforgettable experience in Puerto Rico, this cave and forest excursion is an absolute must. It felt like a once-in-a-lifetime adventure from start to finish. Our guide, Alberto, was exceptional. He was incredibly knowledgeable, patient with every question, and especially great with kids. From the moment we started, we felt completely safe and well taken care of. He went above and beyond to ensure everyone in the group was comfortable and accommodated, which made the entire experience even more enjoyable. The hike itself was relatively easy, even with some wet conditions, but I would recommend caution if you have mobility challenges. There are sections that are steep or require navigating uneven terrain. That said, for most people with moderate fitness, it’s very manageable and well worth it. What made this excursion truly special was the timing. Much of it took place at dusk and into the night, which completely transformed the experience. Being immersed in the Puerto Rican jungle after dark was nothing short of magical. As the forest came alive, we encountered bats, boas, frogs, insects, birds, and lizards, and heard the incredible symphony of nocturnal wildlife awakening around us. It felt like stepping into an entirely different world. If you’re looking for something beyond the typical tourist experience—something immersive, unique, and unforgettable—this is it. I cannot recommend it highly enough!
718mz,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Albert picked me up around noon in Condado, San Juan, and drove me about 1 hour to the Mata de Plátano Nature Reserve near Arecibo. This is where the caves are. In short, the experience was fantastic, unlike anything I have ever experienced. It is a magical feeling to sit at the edge of a cave, as tens of thousands of bats come pouring out, and Puerto Rican boas hang off rocks, vines and trees and try to snag them. Albert is friendly, enthusiastic, conscientious and knowledgeable, and a fantastic guide. Well worth the money.

Thi B,Mar 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
What an experience! It’s thrilling to witness in person 300,000+ bats taking flight into the night and some being captured by preying boas. We must have counted at least 10 boas hanging from vines, cave nooks, tree branches that were all interested in capturing a tasty snack. My children said they really enjoyed this experience. Albert, our guide, did an excellent job explaining and pointing out various birds, spiders, frogs, and creatures of the night. I highly recommend this tour because I’ve been to many caves, but have never seen this in person before. 100% would do this tour again!
Christopher O,Mar 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
If you have ever wanted to feel like you're in the TV show "Planet Earth," you MUST do this tour. We saw majestic caves, all manners of frogs and insects, and the main attraction: a flurry of bats running a gauntlet through a curtain of boa constrictors. Albert was kind, observant, funny, and an excellent teacher. Definitely worth the time and money. Don't miss it.
Jessica C,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
My husband and I are nature lovers, and we booked this unique experience for one of the last nights of our trip to Puerto Rico. It was worth every penny!!! Albert is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the wildlife and the area you’re exploring. Between exploring a cave, watching the bats and boas up close, and seeing nighttime wildlife during your hike back — this experience is unforgettable, and we can’t recommend it enough!! If you’re on the fence, you will regret not doing this — we still can’t stop talking about this experience. Photos don’t do this once in a lifetime experience justice - trust us.








codye412,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
This is an incredibly unique and stunning experience that exceeded any expectations I could have had. Still pictures cannot adequately show how amazing it is to be surrounded by a seemingly endless stream of bats emerging from a cave. It appeared as if a hundred bats were leaving the cave every second over the span of 2 hours, and you have a literal front row seat. There are an estimated 300,000 bats in the cave, and it certainly seemed like that amount during out tour! Our group was small, only 6 in total including our guide. The overall length of the tour was long but well worth it. We got picked up in San Juan around 2:30pm and didn't return until close to midnight, so plan accordingly. There is a pit stop before the forest where you can grab some food and use the restroom. Our guide, Albert, was incredibly knowledgeable, pleasant, and enthusiastic and I would love to go on another tour with him. We hiked a bit to the cave with Albert pointing out various plants and critters. You sit at the cave at dusk for a couple hours as the bats emerge and the forest transforms. We saw about a dozen boas hanging from vines and the cave walls as they snatched several bats. The sounds of the forest change as birds, insects, and frogs all start making noises and you go into a sort of zen mode watching the bats as light fades. The walk back to the car was equally exciting with headlamps equipped as you search for critters. Being in a dark forest would usually be unnerving, but I felt totally relaxed and safe and more like an observer of the stunning nature surrounding me. Albert, being an expert guide, definitely helps with this. If you have the chance to take this tour and have any interest in nature, absolutely jump on this opportunity - there is nothing else like it.










Cassidy Y,Mar 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Was a great trip. Albert and Wesley were great guides and provided lots of cool information about all the critters we saw on the hike. Not a ton of walking, just the relatively short hike to the cave and back. We sat next to the cave and watched as hundreds of bats flew out. A tree above the cave was home to around a dozen Puerto Rican boa snakes. You’ll definitely see a boa get its dinner. Also enjoyed all the frogs and other wildlife. Very peaceful and off the grid. The stars were very pretty as well. I recommend.






Freedom05696080027,Feb 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
G'day! Just back from the Cave Bats and Snakes tour in Puerto Rico with our guide Albert, and crikey, what an absolute ripper of an experience! We kicked off at a little bakery near the caves—Albert met us there, handed round some coffee like a true mate, and off we went, followin' him to the entrance. Short 15-minute hike through the bush to the first cave, and straight away he's got these massive tailless whip scorpions for us to hold! Flat as a pancake, legs like long whips—huge, scary-lookin' things, but harmless beauties! I was holdin' one, grinnin' ear to ear—crikey, they're incredible! Then one of the group drops their helmet right into the dark depths—turns the cave into a full-on torchlit scavenger hunt! We poked around every nook and cranny, but no luck. That helmet's probably still down there, tellin' stories to the cave critters. Classic adventure mishap! On to the next cave, and along the trail Albert's pointin' out all sorts—little lizards scurryin' everywhere, frogs hoppin' about. My niece had been huntin' for a coquí frog all week (yep, the tiny Puerto Rican legend that calls out "ko-kee! ko-kee!" like it's got somethin' important to say). And there it was—one perfect little beauty sittin' right on the path! She was over the moon—best surprise of the trip! We settled near the cave mouth as dusk rolled in, and there they were: about 10 big Puerto Rican boas, hangin' from the trees like absolute ninjas—eyes locked on the entrance, tongues flickin', waitin' for their moment. These snakes are stunners—powerful, endangered, and right in their element! Then the main event—crikey almighty! Hundreds of thousands of bats started pourin' out of the cave like a living black cloud. The rush of wings created this incredible wind right at the mouth—felt like the whole cave was breathin'! The boas lunged, snappin' at flyin' dinner—raw nature, right in front of us. Spectacular! Albert was brilliant—calm, full of knowledge, keepin' everyone safe while sharin' his passion for every creature we saw. No fluff, just pure excitement for the wildlife. What a night—bugs, frogs, snakes, and a bat exodus that'll stick with us forever. If you're into the real wild stuff, this is it. Crikey, what a beauty of an adventure! Thanks, Albert—you legend! 🦇🐍




Sbanarer,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
What a unique amazing tour! Albert is phenomenal. His passion for the nature of this region is contagious!

Chaim613,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Bats and boas, oh my -- this tour was so cool!! This tour is located on someone's personal property that has been made into a nature reserve due to the frogs that are located in it. There is a field school that is being built, but in the meantime, Albert is the only person who has been granted access to do this tour in this location. Albert guided us through the forest, first going down into a cave where we found a spider that only lives in the caves of Puerto Rico -- it is harmless but sure looks scary! We then walked some more, as Albert showed us frogs and millipedes and flowers and trees and birds and anything else he could see and share a tidbit about. We got to the mouth of the cave where 200,000 bats live and come out at dusk. As the sun set, the boas find their places, hanging from vines around the cave, getting into striking position. The night we went, there were about a dozen snakes waiting for their dinners. (The boas are not interested in people, nor do they come down from the vines/trees, so there is no danger involved). As the bats fly out of the cave in waves (different species of bats come out of the cave at different time intervals), the snakes try to snag a snack. It was amazing to see that number of bats coming out, let alone watching the snakes strike. It was like watching a National Geographic special...not super fast-paced, but captivating and very unique. We walked out of the forest in the dark (with headlights!) and Albert continued to find us nature -- a bioluminescent scorpion, tree frogs, lizards. Albert seems genuinely interested in sharing what he can find and what he knows. It was a real treat to go on this tour with him and felt privileged that we got a sneak peek into one of Puerto Rico's more unique experiences.
Operated by NaturHabitat Ecotours