Volcanoes
The best places for volcanoes are Santorini, Aruba, Cozumel and Grand Cayman. Santorini has Nea Kameni, a volcanic island in the flooded caldera with a rocky trail to the crater, vents and hot springs. Aruba has the Casibari and Ayo rock formations and Hooiberg, Cozumel has Jade Cavern, and Grand Cayman has the black rock formations at Hell.
Where it's best
Nea Kameni is an uninhabited volcanic island inside the flooded Santorini caldera, with a 2.6 km rocky trail to the top that has uneven terrain and steep sections. Visitors look into the smoking crater from a safe distance from the steam and sulphur vents, and hot springs lie around Palea and Nea Kameni. Red Beach is a former volcanic cone eroded into crimson cliffs.
Casibari and Ayo are clusters of massive boulders with paved paths and steps that lead to the top. Hooiberg is a conical hill, 165 meters high, standing out against the flat landscape at the heart of the island.
Jade Cavern, also called Cenote Chempita, is an island cenote, unlike the ones on the Yucatan mainland, which makes it a rare geological feature. A guide explains how it formed.
Hell, in West Bay, is a common tour stop of black rock formations, with coral fossils visible in the surrounding ironshore. Platforms give the views, since walking on the rock is not allowed, and there are gift shops and a post office where postcards can be postmarked.
Tours to book
Prices are per person, booked with our partner, Shore Excursions Group.
