Hato Caves

The Hato Caves are Curaçao's best-known natural attraction, a network of limestone chambers in the north of the island near the airport. The caves were formed over hundreds of thousands of years as an ancient coral reef was lifted above the sea and slowly dissolved by water, leaving halls hung with stalactites and stalagmites, flowstone formations, and small underground pools.

Guided tours lead you along lit walkways through the main chambers, pointing out limestone shapes nicknamed for what they resemble, a colony of long-nosed fruit bats roosting overhead, and quiet pools that mirror the rock above. The guides explain how the caves formed and the part they played in the island's history, including as a refuge for runaway enslaved people.

Amerindian rock art

The caves hold faint petroglyphs, rock paintings left by the Caquetio Amerindians who lived on Curaçao long before Europeans arrived, a tangible link to the island's first inhabitants. Outside, a short Indian Trail loops through cactus scrub past more rock-art panels, so allow time to explore above ground as well.

• Visits are by guided tour only, on a set schedule; arrive a little before a tour time.
• The caves are humid and the steps can be slick, so wear shoes with grip.

The caves sit close to Hato airport, making them an easy first or last stop on an island trip. Bring water, wear non-slip shoes, and note that photography rules inside may protect the bats, so check with your guide.