The Recreo Verde touristic complex in the area of Venecia de San Carlos in Alajuela, is surrounded by lush nature and has delicious and healing hot springs, however, it is also home to something a bit less appealing, The Cave of Death.

Any living being that goes into the cave does not come back out, this happens because the inside of the cave is filled with carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that is highly toxic.

The characteristics of the small 2 meter deep and 3 meter long cave were discovered when the complex was being built, a worker got close to the entrance to clean the area and as soon as he got near he felt sick, they performed some studies and realized then that it was caused by the presence of the gas, although studies have been carried out, the reasons behind the conditions in the cave are still a mystery.

The entrance to the cave is small and usually only insects, small animals and birds go in to seek refuge and instead end up dead.

For curious visitors, the personnel of the touristic center perform a simple demonstration with fire, a lit torch immediately goes off due to the lack of oxygen and the presence of the gas.

At Recreo Verde visitors get to see the beautiful Toro Amarillo river, a variety of colorful birds and delicious hot springs besides the different attractions that can be found in the close by area of La Fortuna   which include the Venado Caves.