Cueva del Chupadero

Cueva del Chupadero, in El Peñón, Barahona, is an accessible karst cave reached by a short trail through dry forest. Inside you'll find stalactites, stalagmites, and a crystal-clear freshwater pool perfect for a refreshing dip. Local guides explain the geology and the bat colony. Bring a flashlight, closed-toe shoes, and a swimsuit. An authentic, off-the-beaten-path stop on the southern route, ideal for pairing with the area's white-sand beaches and rivers.

A karst cavern formed over millennia by groundwater dissolving the limestone of the El Peñón massif. Its name comes from the sound of water seeping and "sucking" through the cracks. For generations it served as a shelter and freshwater source for Barahona's coastal communities, a vital part of daily life before piped water arrived. Today it's a nature-tourism attraction showcasing the living geology of the south coast.