Pomier Caves
Av. Independencia 1203, Santo Domingo, 91000
Near San Cristobal, the Pomier Caves (Cuevas del Pomier) contain the largest collection of prehistoric rock art in the Caribbean. Covering an area of 1.5 square miles (4 square kilometers), the complex of 55 caves is home to thousands of pictograms and petroglyphs left by the Taino, Igneri, and Caribs, and date back 2,000 years.
The basics
Most of the caves are now protected as part of an archeological reserve, but five caves are open to the public. The first cave has been modified for visitors and includes stairs, a path, and lighting. The second cave can be visited without specialized equipment, but requires climbing over rocks and tight spaces. The remaining caves require ropes and other caving equipment to access. Visitors can only visit as part of a guided tour provided by the reserve.
Things to know before you go
There is an entrance fee to access the site, and another fee for a guided tour per cave, which is the only way to enter the caves.
Official tours are only available in Spanish. An English brochure is available.
Flashlights are provided, though you may want to bring your own as well.
With steps in one cave, and natural obstacles in others, the caves are not suitable for visitors with mobility issues.
Wear sturdy shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty if you plan to explore beyond the first cave.
Bats, large spiders, and other wildlife can be found inside the caves.
How to get there
The Pomier Caves Anthropological Reserve is located 4.3 miles (7 kilometers) north of San Cristobal, and 19 miles (30 kilometers) west of Santo Domingo. While there are signs leading to the caves, they can be difficult to find on your own. It’s easiest to go in a taxi, motorcycle taxi, or as part of a guided tour.
When to get there
The reserve is open daily from morning to early evening. Plan to spend anywhere from 30 minutes to a full day there, depending on how many caves you’d like to visit. Peak tourist season in the Dominican Republic runs from December to mid-April. It’s best to avoid hurricane season, which runs from August to October.
Caves and caverns
The Dominican Republic offers many caves and caverns to explore, including those with petroglyphs and pictographs. To see other examples of rock art in caves, visit Los Caritas de los Indios, near Lake Enriquillo, Cueva de Las Maravillas near La Romana, Cueva de Berna near Boca de Yuma, and Cueva Fun Fun inside Los Haitises National Park.
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