Visiting LCRS - Las CuevasLas Cuevas

Services

LCRS has the capacity to accommodate 50 persons at a time; in rustic but comfortable buildings, which all but two are elevated for improved ventilation. The living quarters range from 4 bed private cabin bedrooms to bunk houses able to accommodate up to 10 persons in a room. At the present moment LCRS has 12 buildings, which include: The Main Building, BATSUB Building, Conference Room, 4 cabins, kitchen, plant dryer room, Nissen Hut, storage room and a generator house.

Las Cuevas Research Center can offer services such as accommodation, meals, round trip transport, trail and cave guides, lectures on tropical studies, and exploration.

LCRS hosts a trail network of over 18 km, which give you the opportunity to explore the area’s rich and unique diversity of flora and fauna, ancient Mayan site, spectacular cathedral like caves and pristine rivers. Trail difficulty levels range from low to high and vary in distances that can be hiked in an hour to a full day.

The cave at LCRS was originally referred to as the “Awe Cave” and is now called Las Cuevas. It is believed to be the most heavily modified cave in the whole Maya Mundo Region; used by the ancient Mayas for ceremonial purposes during the later part of the Late Classic Period (700-‐900 AD). It is located less than 100 m from the LCRS Main Building. The main chamber has a length of 335 m, making a loop terminating 8 m above a window that overlooks the cave entrance and cenote. The cave entrance is massive measuring 28 m wide and opens into a cathedral like chamber with dimensions 108 m in length, 40 m in width and 17 m in height. The cave entrance is highly modified containing terraces, retaining walls, stairs and platforms topped with a thick plaster. At the middle lies a cenote with a live natural spring to which 5 stair ways lead to. Investigation so far has recorded a total of 58 separate platforms all connected by stairways indicating that the cave was used for large and well organized ceremonies.

Station Fees

Las Cuevas Research Station is the only lodging facility in the Chiquibul Forest. All profits resulting from lodging and food are invested into the management and conservation of this unique ecosystem. So just by staying at LCRS for a night, you are contributing to the conservation of the Chiquibul Forest, a forest globally known for its rich biodiversity.

Lodging Rates:

Lodging rates for LCRS are US$30.00 per person per night.

Food Rates:

Breakfast: US$8.00

Lunch: US$10.00

Dinner: US$10.00

Student Group and long term researcher’ Rates:

Student groups visiting LCRS and long term researchers may get
special deal, so please contact us.

What To Bring

Travelling and working in the Tropics, and in the Rain Forest in particular, sometimes requires a unique packing list. Climate, remote locations, and foreign requirements all present specific challenges.

Based on our many years of experience, let us provide a handy list of things you might want, need, or require but may find limited access to in Belize and at LCRS.

Clothing	Accessories	Essential Documents and Items
Lightweight cotton t-shirts and long-sleeved shirts Lightweight cotton/polyester long pants and short pants Socks and underwear Sweatshirt or jacket Sandals Jungle and hiking boots Rain poncho Hat	Toiletry kit (pack all what you normally use; biodegradable soaps are recommended) Headlamps and/flashlight plus batteries (bring extras) Towels Day pack or small backpack for field work Water bottles Sunscreen Insect repellant (non-toxic) Personal first aid kit/supplies (Tylenol (pain killers), Benadryl, Band-Aid, a laxative, Imodium/Pepto, anti-itch cream, antibiotic cream, gauze pads, and an anti-fungal cream or powder) Camera with extra batteries and memory or film Optional accessories to pack but become handy Pocket knife or leatherman type tools Binoculars Compass	Passport and photocopies Health and liability waiver forms Emergency contact information: name, phone and fax number, email Research and specimen collection permit if applicable Prescription of medication and enough medication for your stay Eye glasses or contact lenses (if applicable)