The caves are fed by water from an
underground river and surrounded by
stalactites and
stalagmites. The composition of the water varies. Early explorers believed that the first pond was made up of
sulphurous water because of its blue hue. However, after testing, it was discovered that Lago Azufre is actually composed of calcium minerals. The fourth and deepest lagoon is
freshwater. It was stocked with fish back in the 1940s. The temperature of the lagoons varies between 20 °C to 29 °C, depending on the site. There varying depths create different colored reflections—blue, green, and sometimes yellow. The depth of the shallowest lagoon, Lago de las Damas, has a depth of 8 feet, while the deepest, Los Zaramagullones, reaches 25 feet. The fauna is also very varied and includes
fish,
bats and
turtles, while the surrounding vegetation is lush and abundant. To visit all four lagoons, one needs to be able to climb stairs. There are a total of 346 steps connecting the four lagoons. The furthest lagoon, Lago Los Zaramagullones, can only be accessed by a small ferry raft pulled via rope across Lago La Nevera. Access to the lagoon is free, but you will have to pay a small fee (50 peso or $1 USD per person) by to get out. Los Zaramagullones is often considered the most tranquil and beautiful of the four lagoons. Many production companies have filmed footage here for there movies including:
Tarzan,
Combat Shock,
Jurassic Park III,
Oro y Polvo, to mention only a few. The caves are open from 9 am to 5 pm, and are illuminated at night by many colorful lights. ==See also==