Looking for Batman in Tamana Bat Caves

Are you a fan of Batman? Did you know that there are bat caves not only beneath Gotham City but also right here in sweet TnT ❤ If you ever fancy visiting a bat cave similar to where Batman has his hide out, you can always hike to Tamana Bat Caves in central Trinidad. This hike is surely one to remember and it is estimated by some that there are hundreds of thousands or even millions of bats in this underground cave system 😮

The hike to Tamana Bat Caves is a fairly easy one. The total hiking time to the first and second cave is approximately twenty-five minutes long and there is a mild incline into a narrow trail at the start. On the way to the caves you will most likely be greeted by the loud sounds of howler monkeys as they make their presence known and trust me, they could be very very loud Last time we were hiking there we felt like they were having a big debate as there was so much noise as we walked!

 

 

We do not go into the first two caves because you will have to use rope and rappel down 😐 However, you can descend into the third cave which is a bout five minutes away from the first two.  Before you even reach to the third cave, however, the smell comes like a slap across your face 😥 The air is thick with the scent of guano (bat droppings).  That scent takes some getting used to but eventually, you don’t realize the stench as much any more.

The third cave is the biggest one and is the one you can enter easily. There is a big opening at the front and, with the aid of rope if you want to (it is not needed) you can enter this cave. Of course the scent is very strong inside of this cave and you really would prefer to have on gloves, face masks, long sleeves tops and long pants, and a cap because there are random drops of what we hope is water, but we really aren’t too sure, falling on your head) Also, it must be noted that before you even go further into this cave you are liable to see some big crapos (frogs), cockroaches and even snakes (although I have not seen any snakes myself) and there is a 90% chance that the bats could be flying about and even bumping into you.

There is a small space to the left where you can crawl through and enter the next section of the cave which is a bit bigger and you can stand up. Be very careful where you are walking because one misstep and you could be knee high in a puddle of guano (trust me, I have seen it happen) 🙄 You really do not want that to happen to you….

After visiting the caves, the trail continues uphill and eventually flattens out leading to the peak of Mount Tamana. The walk is a further twenty five minutes from the caves and the trail is not always clear and can be covered in vines and stinging nettle. Last time we visited we actually had to turn back. However, once you make it to the top the view from the summit is worth the hike. On a clear day, you can see as far as San Fernando Hill, the Northern Range, the Caroni Plains and the Biche forests ❗

So next time you are looking for a real adventure, consider visiting Tamana Bat Caves. I strongly suggest that you have a guide thou as it is extremely easy to get lost on this particular trail.

PS. A little about me, I have been hiking for about 5 years and I am currently a hike leader with HikersUnited (IG and FB).

Much Love

CS