Sotano de las Golondrinas

verified ACA 4A Unknown flood risk Aquismon, San Luis Potosi

Named after the birds (Glondrinas = Swallows) that nest in the walls of the cave and at 370 meter (1,214 ft), this is one of the largest known cave shaft in the world. This legendary pit is large enough to completely swallow the Empire State Building.

Most descend on a single 1,200 foot rope since joining two 600s means passing a knot 600 feet off the ground with the rope's own weight, around 80 pounds, working against you. Ascent alone runs close to 90 minutes for a fit caver on a rope walker, and groups of four or more are advised to ascend in tandem, two on a rope trading rest and climb. First timers are steered toward warm up drops at nearby Sotano de Cepillo or Hoya de las Guaguas before attempting Golondrinas itself.

Logistics

Manager	Comite de Golondrinas, a local community committee in Aquismon, San Luis Potosi, that enforces access rules during the swallow nesting season, roughly March 25 to July 15
Permit	Access is forbidden during swallow nesting season, approximately March 25 to July 15. Outside that window, rope may be rigged but no rope may hang into the pit while the birds are flying: descent waits until the morning exit finishes (weather dependent, usually 6:30am to 9am) and ascent must not happen during the evening return (usually 4:30pm to sunset). The Golondrinas comite enforces this strictly and will pull up a rope left hanging.
Distance	0.2mi
Technical	1 rappels, longest 370m
Season	Nov-Mar
Vehicle access	Passenger
Coordinates	21.5998, -99.0989

Sotano de las Golondrinas

Logistics

Sources