Speleoturism: Use of Ecotourism as a Tool for the Development of Architecture Based con Cultural Anthropology : Case Study in the Anthropological Reserve Cuevas del Pomier

Abstract

This research aims to present a form of ecotourism that represents a hidden treasure in plain sight for the territories that possess it: speleotourism (cave tourism). The goal is not only to recognize the cultural and natural value of these fragile ecosystems, which boast extraordinary biodiversity, but also to protect them from looming threats through architectural integration. This is crucial because their strength is also their weakness: their hidden nature.

The study is contextualized within the case of the Anthropological Reserve of Cuevas del Pomier. Through research, conservation strategies are proposed based on the pillars of ecotourism, enabling the development of architectural scales that adapt to both the contextual and community needs. The latter is directly involved through cultural anthropology, which facilitates the development of a methodology that guides architecture not only to address needs but also to reflect the local way of life and evoke the collective and historical memory of past communities, in this case, the Taínos. Ultimately, the study offers a new perspective on how architecture can complement other sciences, bringing life and movement to landscapes—not just for contemplation but also as a means to learn from them, understand their essence, and protect them.