Grutas de Bustamante facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Grutas de Bustamante
Location	Bustamante Municipality, Nuevo León, Mexico
Discovery	1906
Geology	Limestone
Entrances	1
Translation	Bustamante Caves (Spanish)

The Grutas de Bustamante (Bustamante Caves) are amazing natural caves found in the town of Bustamante, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. They are also known as the Palmito Caves. These caves are located inside the Sierra de Gomas mountains. You can find them about 107 kilometers (66 miles) northwest of Monterrey. They are also just 7 kilometers (4 miles) southwest of the main town of Bustamante.

History of the Caves

How the Caves Formed

The rocks that make up the Bustamante Caves are very old. Scientists believe they formed between 50 and 60 million years ago. Back then, this entire area was covered by sea water. This is why you can still see marine fossils like seashells and snail shells on the cave walls today!

Discovery of the Caves

For thousands of years, the Bustamante Caves remained hidden. They were discovered in 1906. This happened a few years after the famous García Caves were found nearby.

The discovery was made by a local farmer. He was looking for a plant called palmito in the Gomas mountains. He noticed a small hole high up on the mountain. He decided to dig around it. To his surprise, he found a large cave system inside! The cave was filled with many different stalactites and stalagmites.

What You Can See Inside

Amazing Rock Formations

When you visit the Bustamante Caves, you will see incredible rock formations. Stalactites are pointy rocks that hang down from the cave ceiling. Stalagmites are similar pointy rocks that grow up from the cave floor. These formations are created over thousands of years by dripping water.

Ancient Sea Life

As you explore the caves, look closely at the walls. You might spot ancient marine fossils. These are the remains of sea creatures like shells. They are a cool reminder that this area was once under the ocean!