Volcan trillizos — Attraction in Parroquia Tomás de Berlanga (Santo Tomás)

I did the crater repel tour today and I was the only one on it. Axel picked me up from the house at 2pm and then we collected his father, who drove the 25 minutes to the crater. We saw a lake with some flamingoes on the way but we didn’t talk much as Axel didn’t speak much English and his father even less. They showed me some fruit trees on the way to the crater - I think the father owned a farm? We arrived near the crater and the Dad helped us put in our harnesses and have us gloves, knee pads and a helmet with a light on top. As I started into the multi layer crater I began to get nervous. Axel was trying to explain but I didn’t really understand and he kept saying “yes or no”. Then I had to sign a waiver. This was not like any repelling I have done before……you have a climb down a progressively steeper rope and wood ladder until the ladder is totally vertical for the last 100m. I’m not great with heights and I was too afraid to look down. It was really scary and the bulky knee pads made it difficult to climb the rungs of the ladder. Once we got to the bottom we climbed around a little and Axel showed me a little cave with crystals growing but he could tell me what they were. I had hope to hear more about the geology of the crater. It was clear Axel was not really a guide - not like the National Park guides. I did not realize this tour is not affiliated with the national park. Then it was time to go back up….I was dreading it but at the same time kern to get it over with. As I started the ascent I felt the harness slipping down my legs until it was around my ankles! I yelled that I was coming down but I couldn’t release the safety latch that would slow me to go back down so Axel had to climb up to release me. I was just grabbing onto the ladder for dear life! I came back down and we were trying to tighten my harness as tight as it would go! Axel blamed my Fanny pack but it was in the back; they just didn’t tighten the harness enough in the first place. He kept telling me to go slow but I had to try and go fast so I wasn’t thinking about being terrified and freeze half way up. I just kept going and looked directly in front of me. Once I passed the sheer vertical ascent of 100m and climbed over the lip I felt a little better but I still had 50m to go. I did not enjoy it and my adrenaline was pumping. I finally got to the top and I was wet (from water dripping on me and sweat) and muddy. Axel gave me a fist bump. And then he produced some oranges to eat before his Dad picked us up. When his Dad saw the state of me, he was laughing and I heard them talk about the trip and they used the word “Gordita” twice and I know they were referring to me. It means fat. I think they were saying I found it physical because I am fat. I didn’t say anything but I was really upset. I think many people would have found it difficult because it is terrifying AND quite physically demanding - it’s 300m total, which is over a 1/4 of a kilometer. I stayed quiet during the drive back. Axel had taken some photos and got my number so he could WhatsApp them to me. They dropped me off at the pink iguana and when the staff saw me walk in, the staff asked me what happened. I told them about the tour and they told me I should leave a bad review on trip advisor and that they had heard of so many people having a bad experience with that particular tour. I spoke to other people who confirmed the same thing and said that the long time guide there had recently quit. It seems like only a matter of time before something bad happens. I was also encouraged to talk to the municipal people in the square but I have a feeling it’s pointless. IOI also said they do not recommend that tour to volunteers and students. Art (66 and unstable on his feet) told me he was going to do the repelling and I said he might want to rethink that - I have the bruises to prove it! For $85, I can think of more fun and safe activities where you are not mocked...

Go at your own risk for the "rappelling", the site was cool but it was my worst tour on this trip. The photo below was taken 24 hours after the tour (the bruise from the harness).

I wouldn't call this rappelling, it's more walking up and down a ladder in a harness attached to a rope. During this, I let the guide know that the harness buckle was digging into my left thigh. He didn't really do much about it. I have been in harnesses waterfall rappelling in Costa Rica, rock climbing at Railay in Thailand, and have frequently done indoor climbing with my own harness in the US. When I asked to take it off after the harness portion of the tour was over (I knew we wouldn't need it again), he took it off but shook his head at me as if I was making a big deal about my blood vessels popping. I went back today to let the company know just for the safety of future guests. They kept saying they don't know what happened. I told them that it was the harness buckle digging into me and most likely the harness was not properly checked/put on and they should have a guide that takes the wellbeing and safety of their guests into concern. I haven't had this issue on other tours with harnesses fitting this way but since it wasn't my harness, it would have been nice for the guide to make sure it was comfortable and to have him double check and make sure it was...

To be honest at first we weren't sure about this tour - but thank god we did it. This is definitely a once in a lifetime experience. You visit a huge (yes, HUGE) cave within an old vulcanic crater and what makes this so special is that the cave is not prepared for thousands of tourists like many other touristic places. The cave is complitely original. You climb down 200m with steps at first and the last 40 meters with a ladder down into a black hole. It's absolutely safe as you're alsways secured with a rope and modern equipment.

In the cave in one part you crawl through narrow places and you have the feeling that you're beeing in an untouched place like you're the first one visiting this place.

Our guide Steven did a really great job. He was enthusiastic and showed passion in everything he explained. He's definitely not just doing his job but living his passion which makes the tour with him so great.

If you think about doing this tour, do it - you'll never have the chance again to make such an experience. Also the groups have a maximum size of 6 people - in our case we were 4 which contributes to this very...