My Surreal Experience in the Ancient Caves and of Spain

From Valencia to the Heart of the Earth: San José Caves

Spain never ceases to amaze me. When we think of the Valencia region, the beaches and the modern architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences are usually the first images that come to mind. But this time, I decided to delve deeper—literally.

We left Valencia very early, with that vibrant anticipation of knowing we were about to see something unique. Our destination? Vall d’Uixó, in Castellón. The bus ride was quick and comfortable, taking about 40 minutes — the perfect amount of time to watch the landscape change as we approached the mountains.

The Viewpoint and Living History

As soon as we arrived, even before entering the caves, we were greeted by a breathtaking view at the local lookout. There is something truly special about observing the archaeological site of that region; it’s as if the stones tell the stories of civilizations that called that place home thousands of years ago. This historical introduction set the stage for what was to come.

Navigating the Silence of the Caves

Then came the main event: the Caves of San José. Stepping into a boat and gliding through the waters of Europe’s longest navigable underground river is a surreal appeal (the rhyme was intentional!) The silence is only broken by the sound of the oar hitting the water and the echo of our whispers throughout the ancient tunnels.

The rock formations are natural sculptures carved by the patience of time. As we pass through narrow, low galleries that open into vast halls, we have to pay close attention—especially while filming—because sometimes you have to duck quickly to avoid hitting a rock. Strategically placed lights reveal shades of blue and gold that look like they came straight out of a Hollywood movie.

A Surprise Encounter

I thought the tour would be purely contemplative, but the Caves of San José held a secret. At a certain point along the way, we were caught by surprise by something no one in the group expected. It was one of those moments where the camera needs to be on at the exact second, or no one will believe you. But, I’m not going to give any spoilers.

I recorded every detail of this experience — from the light filtering through the rocks to that final surprise, which is really cool. If you want to feel the energy of this place and discover what happened that was so special deep inside the mountain, you need to check out the video I made and posted on the Vamu Ver! Viagem YouTube channel.