During your Caribbean vacations and getaway, you may have had the pleasure to explore one of the spectacular Caribbean Natural Wonders. A “Wonder” is described as a remarkable and unique landform or manmade structure and the Caribbean is known for seven (7) natural and visually breathtaking Wonders. Jirie Caribbean is bringing these Caribbean Wonders to you to add your travel adventure bucket list. Let’s learn about what makes these Wonders so… wonderful!
Harrison’s Cave, Barbados
Located in the central uplands of Barbados the magnificent Harrison’s Cave is the most famous attraction of the island. Seeing this gallery of natural formations in the Harrison Caves requires taking an underground tramway through an extensive system of crystallized limestone caves. You will be awed by the flowing bubbling streams, deep pools of pristine-clear water, and towering stalagmites and stalactites which adorn the cave. The stalactites and stalagmites were formed over thousands of years and in some places, the stalactites have reached down to the stalagmites and forming pillars.
The electric tram ride commences from the entrance into the Boyce Tunnel, named after the equipment operator Noel Boyce who broke ground to open the cave’s natural passageways, leads to the entrance of the cave. After passing the Boyce Tunnel, the Harrison’s Cave is a massive stream cave system that is at least 2.3 kilometers long with an interior temperature of on average 27 degrees Celsius, and its largest cavern, the Great Hall measures 15 meters high. At the lowest level point in the cave, visitors can leave the tram and walk alongside an underground waterfall that plunges into a deep pool below. If your next trip is to Barbados, don’t pass up the opportunity to witness this spectacular formation.
El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico
This one of Puerto Rico’s natural treasures and a spectacular wonder for visitors to immerse themselves in nature. The El Yunque National Forest is also known as Luquillo National Forest and the Caribbean National Forest is the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. National Forest System. Its name comes from a reference to Yuke, what the indigenous Taíno people called “white lands.” The forest is nearly 29,000 biodiverse acres, home to hundreds of unique animal species, such as the rare endemic Puerto Rican parrot and the Island’s famous coquí frog. With an average rainfall of 120 inches a year, the El Yunque rain forest grows thousands of native flora species including the 240 plant species endemic to Puerto Rico.
If you’re not into hiking but still want to gaze upon the forest, you can drive to the Yokahú Observation Tower. With an elevation of 1,575 ft, the view from the tower is so expansive you can see the vast lush green mountains and the Caribbean Sea in the distance beyond. This Natural Wonder is truly photo-worthy.
These are just two of the seven wonders, but we plan to unveil and keep you in the know about all seven wonders in upcoming posts!
Look out for our next Travel & Lifestyle post for part two of this Jirie Caribbean journey.