Belize Cave Tubing: Safe Adventure?

Belize is a small country in Central America, known for its natural beauty, cultural diversity, and vibrant ecosystems. It offers pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and ancient Maya ruins. The country is also home to a large network of refreshing caves, making it a haven for adventure seekers.

One of the most popular activities in Belize is cave tubing, which involves floating on a tube through ancient caves once traversed by the Mayans. This activity can be a serene and laid-back adventure, allowing you to slowly explore the limestone caverns and experience the darkness and quiet of these ancient settings.

While cave tubing in Belize is generally considered safe, it is always recommended to travel with experienced local tour guides. Companies like Cave-Tubing.com and Butts Up offer cave tubing tours with well-trained and knowledgeable guides who prioritise your safety and comfort. They provide necessary equipment, transportation, and refreshments, ensuring that you have a fun and memorable experience.

So, if you're looking for an adventurous and unique activity to do in Belize, cave tubing is definitely worth considering!

What to wear for cave tubing in Belize

Belize is a small country in Central America, known for its natural beauty, cultural diversity, and vibrant ecosystems. It is also home to a network of caves, making it a popular destination for eco-tourism and adventure seekers. One of the most popular activities in Belize is cave tubing, where tourists can explore the country's extensive cave systems by floating down the river on inner tubes.

If you're planning to go cave tubing in Belize, it's important to wear the right clothing and gear to stay safe and comfortable. Here are some tips on what to wear:

• Water shoes: Water shoes will protect your feet while walking to and from the water and can also provide better traction on slippery surfaces. They are essential for safeguarding your feet from sharp objects or rocks beneath the water's surface.
• Swimwear or lightweight clothing: Wear a bathing suit or lightweight, comfortable clothing that can get wet. You will be spending a significant amount of time in the water, so quick-drying materials are ideal.
• Sneakers: If you don't have water shoes, a pair of sneakers that you don't mind getting wet can be a suitable alternative. Just be aware that they might get muddy or wet during the tubing and hiking portions of the tour.
• Sunscreen and bug spray: Don't forget to apply sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun's rays, especially if you plan to spend time outdoors before or after your cave tubing adventure. Bug spray is also essential for repelling insects, as mosquitoes and other bugs can be prevalent in the tropical climate of Belize.
• Headlamp: The caves can be pitch black, so a headlamp will be crucial for illuminating your path and navigating through the darkness. Most tour companies provide headlamps as part of their equipment, but it's always good to check in advance.
• Life vest: A life vest will be provided by your tour company and is essential for your safety. Make sure to wear it at all times while tubing to stay safe in the water.

Additionally, you may want to bring a waterproof camera to capture the stunning scenery and memorable moments during your cave tubing tour. Keep in mind that you'll be hiking through the rainforest and exploring dry caves before reaching the tubing portion, so comfortable footwear and clothing that can handle some light trekking are also important.

How to get to the Caves Branch River

To get to the Caves Branch River in Belize, you'll first need to fly into the country's Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Belize City. From there, you can either take a domestic flight or travel by road to Belmopan or San Ignacio, which are both near the river.

You can then arrange transportation to the river by renting a vehicle, hiring a taxi, or joining a guided cave tubing tour. Many hotels in the area offer these tours, which are a great way to explore the river. Remember to plan ahead and check for transportation options and current weather conditions to ensure a smooth journey.

The Caves Branch River is located in the Cayo District, in the western part of Belize. It is known for its extensive cave systems, including the famous Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave, a popular destination for cave exploration and archaeological adventures. The river and its surroundings offer stunning natural beauty and a range of outdoor activities such as tubing, jungle trail hiking, and wildlife watching.

The best time to visit Belize

Belize is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit depends on what you're looking for.

The dry season, from December to May, is the high season for tourism. The weather is warm and sunny, with clear blue skies and cooler evenings. This is the busiest period for travel to Belize, so expect crowds and higher prices. From December to February, strong northerly winds can bring clouds and cooler evenings. March and April are idyllic, with little rain, pleasant temperatures, and calm, clear water.

If you're looking to avoid the crowds and don't mind the occasional rain, the rainy season or 'green season' from June to November offers a more peaceful and budget-friendly experience. This is also the best time to visit if you're interested in taking advantage of travel discounts, as many hotels and tour operators offer lower prices during this period. The rainiest months are September and October, but rain showers typically only last for one to two hours.

• December: The beginning of the dry season. Good visibility for snorkelling and diving. Escape the cold winter weather in North America and Europe.
• January: Transition month between wet and dry seasons. High season for travel. Coolest weather of the year with diminishing rains. Fewer crowds than December.
• February: Dry season with less rain. Mild days and cooler nights. Excellent bird and wildlife watching. Good visibility for snorkelling and diving.
• March: Height of dry season. Least amount of rain and rising temperatures. Excellent bird and wildlife watching. Good visibility for snorkelling and diving.
• April: Rising temperatures and welcome rains. Calm seas mark the beginning of the high season for snorkelling, scuba diving, and fishing. Best visibility for snorkelling and diving. Best month for whale shark viewing.
• May: Hot temperatures, especially inland. Rain increases. Calm waters for catamaran cruises, snorkelling, and diving. Best visibility for snorkelling and diving.
• June: Start of the rainy season. Temperatures remain high, but breezes and rain showers keep things pleasant. Lobsterfest coincides with the opening of the lobster season.
• July: Wettest month of the year. Rain occurs in predictable morning showers and overnight thunderstorms. Good visibility for snorkelling and diving. Lobster season in full swing.
• August: Brief respite from the rainy season, with a slight break from summer rains. Good visibility for snorkelling and diving. Low-season rates and discounts offered.
• September: Height of the rainy season and hurricane season. Sunny days with warm temperatures. Low season for tourism. Independence Day celebrations on 21st.
• October: Rainfall continues to be heavy. Annual Belize Birding Festival. Low-season rates and discounts offered.
• November: Beginning of winter for locals, but still warm and sunny. Transition between rainy and dry seasons. Garifuna Settlement Day on 19th. Fewer travellers before the busy holiday season in December.

So, depending on your preferences and interests, you can choose the best time to visit Belize that suits you!

The history of the caves in Belize

Belize's caves are steeped in history and were an integral part of Maya religion and culture. The Maya people used the caves as ceremonial sites, and the caves were considered the holiest and most sacred locations on Earth. They were thought to be a mystical realm beyond conventional notions of time and space, where divine beings resided. Mayan priests engaged in spiritual communion with these beings within the caves, which served as impressive sanctuaries for rituals and other serene experiences.

The Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave in Western Belize is one of the most famous caves in the country. It was made popular in the 1990s by National Geographic and archaeologist Dr Jaime Awe. The ATM Cave contains 14 Maya skeletons, including the famous "Crystal Maiden", an intact skeleton of a young female that sparkles eerily due to a covering of calcium carbonate. This cave is located in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve in the Cayo District and is accessible via a guided tour that involves a demanding hike and a stream crossing.

Another notable cave is Barton Creek Cave in the Maya Mountains, which is approximately 4.5 miles long. Visitors can explore this former burial site and ceremonial cave by canoe, discovering skeletal remains, food storage, cooking vessels, stone tools, and ritual offerings.

The Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch, accessible from Jaguar Paw, is another cave system with evidence of Maya occupation. Visitors can journey through this system by inner tube, carrying their tubes as they move in and out of the caves, and spotting pottery shards and embedded human footprints along the way.

The Rio Frio Cave, located in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, is another impressive cave in Belize. This half-mile-long cave boasts a 65-foot arch at its entrance, and visitors can see the entire length of the cave and the stream running through it from this vantage point.

St. Herman's Cave, situated inside the Blue Hole National Park, was used by the ancient Maya around 300-800 CE. This cave is of significant cultural and archaeological importance, offering a glimpse into the Maya Classic Period. Pottery vessels, spears, and torches have been found within, indicating the collection of sacred water by the Maya.

Belize's caves are not only historically significant but also ecologically important, contributing to the country's vibrant ecosystems and natural beauty.

What to expect inside the caves

Belize is home to a large network of caves, which are considered the most spectacular caving system in the world. The caves are formed of limestone, which is soluble in a dilute solution of carbonic acid. This means that rainwater can turn into a weak acid, eroding the limestone and creating caves.

The ancient Mayas regarded these cave systems as a sacred underworld, forming a mystical realm beyond conventional notions of time and space. They believed that within these caverns resided divine beings, and it was in these sacred spaces that Mayan priests engaged in spiritual communion with them.

Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave

The ATM Cave is a wet cave where you swim into the mouth and wade through ankle- to chest-high water before climbing to a labyrinth of dry chambers. These chambers lead to a towering cathedral-like main hall, filled with artefacts and sacrificial remains. After this, another climb takes you to the stone sepulchre where the Crystal Maiden lies—an intact skeleton of a young female that sparkles eerily in the lamp light.

Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve

Here, you can float on river tubes through the filtered light of the jungle foliage. Along the way, you can spot fertility gods, 1,000-year-old pottery shards, and embedded human footprints.

Barton Creek Cave

This cave was used by the ancient Maya for rituals such as human sacrifices, bloodletting, and fertility rites. It is located in the small Mennonite community of Barton Creek, along the Chiquibul Road in the Cayo District.

Rio Frio Cave

The Rio Frio Cave is located in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and has two 65-foot arched entryways. Inside, huge stalactites hang from the massive cathedral-like vault, and a stream flows through, forming pools with cascading falls.

Che Chem Ha Cave

This cave is located 16 miles from San Ignacio near Vaca Falls. It is notable for its unique collection of Maya artwork and artefacts, including ancient storage jars called ollas that line the walls of its chambers.

St. Herman's Cave

One of the most accessible caves in the country, St. Herman's is located among the dense tropical forest on the Hummingbird Highway, just 12 miles southeast of Belize's capital, Belmopan. It is part of the St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park, which was established in 1986.

Crystal Cave

Also located within the Blue Hole National Park, the Crystal Cave is for more established cavers. Visitors take a guided hike through rugged terrain to the mouth of the cave, where they are repelled down into huge caverns adorned with crystalline formations.

Frequently asked questions