Cave of the Tayos (Cueva de los Tayos), Ecuador: Will Smith’s “Pole to Pole” spotlight and how to visit responsibly
Hidden deep in Ecuador’s Amazon, the Cave of the Tayos, also known as Cueva de los Tayos, has long been surrounded by mystery: remote jungle access, massive underground chambers, oilbirds echoing in the dark, and decades of legends tied to exploration.
Now the cave is having a new moment in the spotlight thanks to National Geographic’s docuseries Pole to Pole with Will Smith, which features an expedition into the cave in Ecuador while searching for venomous creatures and potential scientific breakthroughs.
If you are considering visiting, this guide covers what the cave is, where it is, what makes it unique, and how to plan a visit in a way that is safe, realistic, and respectful to the Indigenous Shuar communities who live in and protect the territory.
What Is the Cave of the Tayos in Ecuador?
The Cave of the Tayos is a large limestone cave system in Ecuador’s Amazon region, known for its spacious passages, dramatic vertical entrances, and the oilbirds (locally called “tayos”) that roost inside.
It is also famous for being extremely remote and logistically complex. It is not the kind of place you casually add to a standard Ecuador itinerary, it is a true expedition-style adventure that requires planning, permits, guides, and proper equipment.
Why is the Cave of the Tayos trending now? (Will Smith’s “Pole to Pole”)
In early 2026, Pole to Pole with Will Smith premiered as a National Geographic series (also available via Disney+ in many regions), and one episode includes an expedition into the Tayos Cave in Ecuador.
According to National Geographic reporting on the expedition, Will Smith joins scientist Bryan Fry and a team of local guides and experts to descend into the cave in search of venomous species, including large tarantulas, scorpions, and other cave-adapted creatures, with the goal of studying venoms that could help inspire future medicines.
Where is the Cave of the Tayos located?
The cave is in Ecuador’s Amazon region, in Morona Santiago province, within a remote rainforest area that sits in or near Shuar territory.
Exact access routes vary by operator and by which entrance is used, but what stays consistent is that reaching the cave involves multi-step logistics and advance coordination. Many itineraries combine road travel with river transport and jungle hiking before you even reach the vertical entrance.
Why is it called the “Cave of the Oilbirds”?
“Tayos” refers to oilbirds, a nocturnal bird species that roosts in dark caves and navigates using echolocation, which is rare among birds. Inside Tayos Cave, oilbirds play an outsized role in the underground ecosystem because they bring nutrients from the forest into the cave, and their droppings help sustain many other cave species.
This is one reason the cave matters beyond adventure tourism: it is not just a rock formation, it is a living ecosystem that is still considered poorly documented scientifically compared to more accessible sites.
The mystery factor: myths, expeditions, and what’s actually known
Cueva de los Tayos is one of those places where geology, remoteness, and storytelling collide. Over the years, the cave has become linked to bold claims about hidden chambers, carved tunnels, and even lost “libraries” made of metal plates. Many travelers first hear about Tayos because of these legends, then discover the real cave is already impressive without adding anything supernatural.
The “metal library” legend (and why it persists)
One of the best-known stories connected to Tayos is the so-called “metal library” or “gold library,” popularized through a mix of explorer accounts and sensationalist interpretations. Reliable summaries note that the archaeological consensus does not support the existence of a literal “golden library” as described in the more extreme versions of the tale.
If you are visiting today, it helps to treat these legends as cultural folklore around exploration rather than as the main reason the cave is worth your time. The real “treasure” is the cave’s scale, biodiversity, and the experience of entering a place that is genuinely hard to access.
What it’s like to visit the Cave of the Tayos
If you picture a normal “cave tour” with handrails and easy walking paths, reset expectations. Visiting Tayos is closer to a guided expedition than a tourist attraction.
What you might see (and hear) underground
Depending on season and location inside the system, you may encounter:
- Oilbirds calling overhead
- Cave insects and arthropods, including spiders and scorpions
- Evidence of how nutrients move through the cave ecosystem (especially in areas influenced by oilbirds)
In the National Geographic expedition featured with Will Smith, the team specifically searched for venomous species and collected venom samples for research, which gives you an idea of the kind of biodiversity that can exist in these isolated environments.
The descent, darkness, and cave conditions
One of the main entrances involves a vertical drop on ropes, often described in the range of 60 to 70 meters depending on the entrance and reporting.
Inside, conditions can include:
- Total darkness beyond your headlamp
- Mud, slick rocks, and uneven terrain
- Tight sections in some areas, and vast chambers in others
- Humidity and heat that feel very different from the Andes or the Galapagos coast
Permits, guides, and safety: What you need to know before you go
For most travelers, the biggest mistake is assuming you can “go independently.” In many descriptions of visiting Tayos, access is controlled through local governance and requires advance permission, often coordinated with the Shuar community and authorized operators.
You should plan around these realities:
- Permits and community authorization are typically required
- Local Shuar guides are commonly mandatory (and invaluable for context)
- Proper vertical equipment and trained leadership are non-negotiable
- Group size, itinerary length, and even whether overnight stays are allowed can depend on community rules and conservation considerations
If you are choosing between operators, prioritize safety standards and community coordination over the cheapest price.
Best time to visit and what to pack
Because the cave is in the Amazon region, weather is not just “rainy” or “dry,” it is variable and can change fast. Trails can become muddy and river levels can affect access routes.
A practical packing checklist usually includes:
- Quick-dry clothing you can get muddy
- Grippy footwear suitable for wet terrain
- A headlamp plus backup light
- Lightweight rain protection
- Dry bags for electronics
- Gloves (useful for rope work and cave movement)
- Any personal meds plus basic blister care
Most operators provide technical caving gear, but always confirm exactly what is included and what you must bring yourself.
Responsible tourism in Shuar territory
This is the part many articles skip, but it is essential.
The cave sits in or near Indigenous Shuar territory, and access is often described as being governed through community permission and local guides. That is not just a formality, it reflects land rights, cultural significance, and stewardship.
Responsible visiting means:
- Following community rules without arguing or negotiating on the spot
- Not treating the cave like a theme park
- Avoiding litter, noise, and unnecessary disturbance to wildlife
- Taking photos respectfully, especially around community spaces
- Choosing operators who reinvest locally and coordinate transparently
If more travelers arrive because of the Will Smith effect, the best outcome is that it drives awareness and income while still protecting the cave and respecting its guardians. That only happens if visitors behave like guests, not like owners.
How to book a Cave of the Tayos tour (and what to look for)
If your website already offers a Cave of the Tayos excursion, this blog post can be a perfect bridge between curiosity and action.
When booking or comparing options, look for:
- Clear mention of permits and community coordination
- Inclusion of trained guides for vertical descent and cave safety
- A realistic description of difficulty level (not oversold as “easy”)
- Transparent packing list and what equipment is provided
- A plan for minimizing impact on wildlife and the cave environment
A well-run Tayos trip should feel organized long before you arrive at the jungle trailhead.
Cave of the Tayos FAQ
Is the Cave of the Tayos suitable for beginners?
Some itineraries are designed for fit beginners with proper guidance, but the cave is still a technical environment. If you have severe fear of heights, mobility limitations, or cannot handle confined dark spaces, it may not be the right match.
Can I visit without a guide?
Many travel resources emphasize that permits and local authorization are required and that access is coordinated through community and authorized channels, which effectively makes independent visiting unrealistic for most travelers.
Is it really the cave from the “metal library” legend?
The cave is strongly tied to those stories in popular culture, but mainstream summaries note that the “golden library” claims are not supported by archaeological consensus.
What did Will Smith do there?
In Pole to Pole with Will Smith, the expedition into Tayos Cave focuses on searching for venomous species and collecting venom samples for scientific research.
