Located 15 kilometers east of San Pedro de Macorís at Boca del Soco on the San Pedro de Macorís–La Romana Highway, the Cave of Wonders (tel. 809/696-1797, www.cuevadelasmaravillas.com, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Tues.–Sun., adults US$6, children under 12 US$3) is most certainly a highlight of the South-Central Coast region and should not be overlooked when you’re in the area.

Discovered in 1926, this cave has been the subject of many scientific studies, because in its 840 meters, over 500 pictographs, petroglyphs, and engravings have been preserved as if drawn yesterday. It truly has the richest sample of rock art in the Antilles and also an impressive array of stalactites, stalagmites, and columns.

The government took a great deal of care to make the cave accessible to visitors, and in 2003, the cave’s team of architects won the Gold prize in the International Landscape Architecture Bienal Award. It has a 240-meter footpath and is equipped with museum-quality lighting. Ramps and elevators make it wheelchair-accessible. Also on-site is a museum, a shop, a place to buy snacks, and restrooms.

You cannot explore the cave without a guide, but your entrance fee buys you a one-hour tour from a knowledgeable guide (some guides speak English). No photos are allowed inside the cave. The Cueva de las Maravillas is well-marked by a national park sign along the Carretera La Romana, east of San Pedro de Macorís. Getting here is easiest with your own car or by taxi. Simply arrange for the taxi to return for you in an hour.