Around 40 years ago, a group of young people who were hunting animals in the area suddenly found themselves at a large open cavity in the ground that descended several meters before reaching the ground. Their great surprise led to the realization that this opening was the entrance to a huge dome that sheltered hundreds of stalactites and stalagmites of different shapes and sizes, which is now known as the Grutas de San Gabriel. Because access to the site was difficult and unsafe, it was not opened to the public immediately.  It was just 10 years ago that visitors could come, when the owner of the land, Don Rogelio Garcia took charge of refurbishing the mouth of the cave with stairs, lights, and an entrance door, to offer tourists a worthy and reliable site. The cave is over 50 meters high where you can appreciate the magnificent work done by nature over millennia. Anyone who is interested in this excursion should seriously take into account the following: travel time to the site is one hour or more (depending on vehicle) through irregular paths with up and down terrain and in places where there are often no services.  The cave cannot be entered without the guide of Don Rogelio Garcia, a friendly man is in charge of tours once you arrive to San Gabriel.  There is an entrance fee that is charged per vehicle, not per person. Fortunately for all travelers, the San Gabriel Caves are open every day from 6 am to 6pm. There are plans for Don Rogelio Garcia to soon expand tours with new access to unknown caves. Tours can accommodate anywhere from one person up to large groups.

r09