San Cristobal....Cuevas del Pomier

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ju10prd

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I've passed the entrance to the Reserva Antropologica del Pomer several times, when driving from Villa Altagracia to San Cristobel on a road I particularly enjoy driving which passes through the small towns of El Coabal and Medina, without realizing it's significance.

It is described as the world's principal Taino archaeological location in a guidebook I have. The attached website suggest it to be worthy of a visit along with the other nearby tourist sites adjacent San Cristobel.....Casa de Coabas and Castillo de Cerro.

http://www.ccp.org.do/www/cuevas-del-pomier/

Has anyone visited the caves or indeed the Truillo estate. Are they worth the short drive from Santo Domingo?

https://www.google.com.do/maps/plac...5275945954a461!8m2!3d18.4390544!4d-70.1318049
 
cobraboy

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ju10prd said:
I've passed the entrance to the Reserva Antropologica del Pomer several times, when driving from Villa Altagracia to San Cristobel on a road I particularly enjoy driving which passes through the small towns of El Coabal and Medina, without realizing it's significance.

It is described as the world's principal Taino archaeological location in a guidebook I have. The attached website suggest it to be worthy of a visit along with the other nearby tourist sites adjacent San Cristobel.....Casa de Coabas and Castillo de Cerro.

http://www.ccp.org.do/www/cuevas-del-pomier/

Has anyone visited the caves or indeed the Truillo estate. Are they worth the short drive from Santo Domingo?

https://www.google.com.do/maps/plac...5275945954a461!8m2!3d18.4390544!4d-70.1318049
Click to expand...
We have visited Cuevas del Pomier often, several times a year for 7 years. It's an excellent site, a true jewel, and worth the trip through the calcium phosphate mine to get there. The petroglyphs are truly amazing!

The rangers provide helmets (now mandatory). I suggest you bring your own flashlights with fresh batteries.
 
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ju10prd

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cobraboy said:
We have visited Cuevas del Pomier often, several times a year for 7 years. It's an excellent site, a true jewel, and worth the trip through the calcium phosphate mine to get there. The petroglyphs are truly amazing!

The rangers provide helmets (now mandatory). I suggest you bring your own flashlights with fresh batteries.
Click to expand...

Thanks. What are the opening times and park fees?

(Got my spelling wrong in OP!!)
 
cobraboy

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ju10prd said:
Thanks. What are the opening times and park fees?

(Got my spelling wrong in OP!!)
Click to expand...
I don't handle the money on tour so I don't know. Maybe RD$200. Don't know the hours because we always get there around noonish or so. Generally the Ranger Guide has to be fetched when you arrive, and that may take 15-20 minutes.
 
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cobraboy said:
I don't handle the money on tour so I don't know. Maybe RD$200. Don't know the hours because we always get there around noonish or so. Generally the Ranger Guide has to be fetched when you arrive, and that may take 15-20 minutes.
Click to expand...

The entrance I assume is that opposite where the hawkers sell food by the small river and bridge?
 
cobraboy

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ju10prd said:
The entrance I assume is that opposite where the hawkers sell food by the small river and bridge?
Click to expand...
No.

Turn at that intersection. Go up and up the hill, maybe a mile or two. As you get to the mines, you'll see a sorta "y"; go right. On your immediate right is a sign to the caves, turn right into the mine. Over time the road changes because of mining. But in general look to your slight left and you'll see a road going through trees. It may be marked, maybe not. It's weird. The entrace is 300-500 yards through the trees. You'll see an opening.

Getting there through the mine is half the fun...in a car. By motorcycle it's even more of a challenge...:rambo:
 
Drake

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Its a Calcium Carbonate mine for making lime products and not a Calcium Phosphate mine.
 
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xstew said:
What a SHAME a world heritage site if their ever was one.
Click to expand...

It would seem from post #7 and a comparison of Google Earth against the standard Google map, that the limestone quarries border the reserve and you do indeed have to pass through them.

https://www.google.com.do/maps/plac...a6020f24060df7e0!8m2!3d18.735693!4d-70.162651

https://www.google.com.do/maps/plac...a6020f24060df7e0!8m2!3d18.735693!4d-70.162651

Is there a signed entrance? Where is the warden/guide to be found? Is it open at weekends?

Definitely seems a place to investigate and weekends would be best for me.
 
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Dolores1

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The guides are grouped as part of the Fundacion Cuevas del Pomier. You can email them at fundacioncuevasdelpomier@gmail.com or call 809 629-3536 or 809 703-3812 to arrange for a tour. Take note there are many caves. You should have cave visiting equipment. For example, a flashlight that comes with a head piece.
 
cobraboy

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ju10prd said:
It would seem from post #7 and a comparison of Google Earth against the standard Google map, that the limestone quarries border the reserve and you do indeed have to pass through them.

https://www.google.com.do/maps/plac...020 f24060df7e0!8m2!3d18.735693!4d-70.162651

https://www.google.com.do/maps/plac...020f24060df 7e0!8m2!3d18.735693!4d-70.162651

Is there a signed entrance? Where is the warden/guide to be found? Is it open at weekends?

Definitely seems a place to investigate and weekends would be best for me.
Click to expand...
You have to drive through the mine to get to the ranger station. Signage over the years has been sketchy.

Understand those with mining interests want to caves gone without caring about their cultural & geological significance. They tear signs down to suppress visits, signs go back up, torn down again, repeat and rinse.

The anti-cavers stole all the cables and lights in the cave which is why you need to bring a flashlight unless you want to foloow a guide who has one. There are areas that are 100% dark and silent. Awesomely peaceful... and creepy. Hard hats are provided.

Every time we visit with a group I'm disappointed the gubmint does allocate more resources toward this important place...

There are a few pics of the cave area at 1:41 in this video of the SW Dominican Republic:

[video=vimeo;153665662]https://vimeo.com/153665662[/video]
 
AlterEgo

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Drake said:
Its a Calcium Carbonate mine for making lime products and not a Calcium Phosphate mine.
Click to expand...

We live in San Cristobal province, and Mr. AE has mentioned something he calls "Cal" that some of the towns near us are known for. Is this what it is? Do burning tires have anything to do with it?
 
cobraboy

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AlterEgo said:
We live in San Cristobal province, and Mr. AE has mentioned something he calls "Cal" that some of the towns near us are known for. Is this what it is? Do burning tires have anything to do with it?
Click to expand...
Calcium carbonate has many uses in construction, health & beauty products (think tooth paste & Tums) and agriculture. The DR is rich in it, and the caves are in the heart of the mines.

Y'all are close by and should take a short day trip to check the area out.
 
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ju10prd

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cobraboy said:
You have to drive through the mine to get to the ranger station. Signage over the years has been sketchy.

Understand those with mining interests want to caves gone without caring about their cultural & geological significance. They tear signs down to suppress visits, signs go back up, torn down again, repeat and rinse.

The anti-cavers stole all the cables and lights in the cave which is why you need to bring a flashlight unless you want to foloow a guide who has one. There are areas that are 100% dark and silent. Awesomely peaceful... and creepy. Hard hats are provided.

Every time we visit with a group I'm disappointed the gubmint does allocate more resources toward this important place...

There are a few pics of the cave area at 1:41 in this video of the SW Dominican Republic:

[video=vimeo;153665662]https://vimeo.com/153665662[/video]
Click to expand...

Thanks

Great video. The South West is without doubt the place to explore. After the East Coast it is where the development money is headed but on much more varied developments.

Need a few decent places to stay to get into those mountain ranges and all in the West of the country to really explore. Good quality places to stay around San Juan, Las Matas, Neiba, Padres Las Casas and San Jose de Ocoa to explore would be a bonus.
 
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