shhh its the biggest kept secret! (Cueva de los Verdes (Green's Caves))

Member Name: ~*pink-pilgrim*~

Product:	Cueva de los Verdes (Green's Caves)
Date:	23/11/08 (93 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: very interesting, enjoyable day out

Disadvantages: Can get hot and uncomfortable inside

THE GREEN CAVES
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The Green Caves were formed over 3000 years ago on the North East coast of Lanzarote. They were formed during the eruptions of the Corona Volcano. The caves are situated on the North cost of the island. The caves are apart of the Atlantida underground system. The caves are known locally as Cueva de los Verdes.

The original inhabitants of the island were known as the Guanches and they would shelter in the caves from the pirates and slave hunters that threatened the island. The tunnels are about 8km long but 2km of this is under the water. It is the longest volcanic tunnel in the world.

The caves are named after the 'Green' family not because they are green in colour (as many people would seem to believe). One of the families who hid in the cave system from the pirates was the 'Verdes' family. The caves do appear green however this is due to the lighting - well you can have dark caves I am sure the compensation lawyers would have a great time.

The caves were transformed by adding professional lighting by Jesus Soto and were opened to the public in 1964. The only way to navigate these caves today is with a tour led by a professional guide. To this date this has to be one of my favourite excursions on the Island - I seem to learn a little bit more each time I go.


THE TOUR
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Only a 2km section of the caves is open to the public and a guide is required for the tour as there are so many passages and twisty turning paths some of which have huge drops. The tour looks at the stalagmites and stalactites. The tour guide goes through the history of the caves and explains about the minerals that have made the rocks appear the way they have today.

The caves are not a place to go if you are claustrophobic, as only measuring 1-2 metres in height in places and less than a metre in width the caves can be quite uncomfortable. The widest section of the cave is about 15metres wide and the tallest is about 200 metres high.

Gentle ambient music is played into the cave to give that impression of wonder and awe as you navigate the many passages. Visitors are taken into an auditorium where the Visual Music Festival of Lanzarote takes place.

The final part of the tour is well prepared by telling a story/myth about how the next chamber of the cave is a secret and by telling anyone about this secret will bring years of bad luck...Anyway the part known as 'The Secret Of Lanzarote' is amazing... whilst looking into the deep abyss of the cave you will be shocked at what you find. The astonishing view as...well I am not going to tell you am I?


ADMISSION
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The caves are open between 10am and 6pm although people will not be admitted after 5pm due to the length of the tour. The tour costs 8 euros which is equal to the other attractions in Lanzarote. This converts to about £5.50 which is a rather good price for an attraction like this.


GETTING THERE
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The Green Caves are situated north of the Island. It is positioned nicely on the north-eastern coast not far from the town of Arrieta.

You can go to the caves as part of an excursion. The excursion up this way usually includes several other attractions such as the Jardin de Cactus (Cactus garden), Famara, Mirador Del Rio (the look out point over the island of La Graciosa) and The other cave system of Jameos del Agua. This costs about 55 Euros with Lastminute excursions.

You could get a hire car however and visit the caves independently. This will obviously help you save a lot of money if you only want to visit the Green Caves. The caves are situated north of the town of Arrieta. The car park is huge and can fit vast amounts of visitors in at any one time.


OTHER INFORMATION
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Obviously walking around a cold, dark dingy cave is not going to be a great experience if you are wearing inappropriate clothing. The weather out in Lanzarote is very hot and the temperature in the cave can be hot or cold. Make sure you wear cool clothing but take a cardigan in case it does get a little nippy down there.

You will be walking long distances on the tour and so comfortable footwear will be a 'must' it's no good wearing high heeled shoes are shoes with slippery bottoms. If you suffer with a bad back then the low ceilings and narrow passage ways may be a little uncomfortable.

At the car park the view is stunning so make sure you stop for a while to take in the views and take a few photographs. The signpost outside the entrance to the caves is a great place to stop and take a photo.


SUMMARY
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I would highly recommend this attraction as the beautiful colours formed by mineral deposits, interesting rock formations looking like molten wax and the history of Lanzarote's past inhabitants is amazing and worth the excellent price of 8 Euros.

The Green Caves are a great tourist attraction for any visitors to the island the secret of contained in these caves will impress the fussiest tourist and must be experienced.

Summary: One of my best excursions in Lanzarote, really worth the 8 Euros!