6 hours
Daily Tour
Unlimited
English, Espanol
Imagine a day where you journey deep into the mystical underworld of the ancient Maya, then step back in time to walk among the very temples where their kings once ruled and their astronomers charted the heavens.
This is not a dream; this is the quintessential Belizean experience, and Belize Fun Tours has perfected it into a seamless, unforgettable adventure. Our signature Belize Cave Tubing and Altun Ha Maya Ruins tour is a carefully crafted combination of thrilling exploration and profound history, designed to immerse you in the very soul of this incredible country.
Prepare yourself for a day that will engage all your senses, from the cool, crystal-clear waters of a subterranean river to the breathtaking panoramic views atop a magnificent Maya pyramid. This is more than a simple day trip; it is a pilgrimage into the heart of Belize’s natural wonders and its enigmatic past, an experience that will leave an indelible mark on your memory. We have meticulously designed the Belize Cave Tubing and Altun Ha tour to be the most comprehensive and soul-stirring adventure available, ensuring every moment is filled with discovery and wonder.
Your adventure begins the moment our friendly, professional guide greets you. Whether you’re arriving at the Belize City cruise port, stepping out from a local hotel, or making your way from the water taxi terminal after a morning trip from Caye Caulker or San Pedro, our team will be there, ready to welcome you with a warm, genuine Belizean smile. You’ll be personally escorted to our comfortable, modern, air-conditioned vehicle, your chariot for the day’s journey. As we leave the bustling energy of the city behind, you’ll witness the true Belize unfold before your eyes.
The scenic drive is an experience in itself, a gentle transition from the present into the deep past. Your guide, a local expert who is deeply passionate about their heritage, will become your storyteller, sharing fascinating insights into Belizean life. They will point out the quaint Creole villages that dot the landscape, explain the diverse plantations of tropical fruit like bananas, oranges, and papayas, and highlight the lush, untamed broadleaf rainforest that lines the highway. This is more than just a transfer; it’s the beginning of your immersion into our vibrant culture and stunning natural landscapes, a narrative-rich preamble to the grand adventure of the Belize Cave Tubing and Altun Ha tour.
Our first destination is the legendary Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve, a protected sanctuary of pristine jungle that holds the entrance to an intricate network of limestone caves. To the ancient Maya, these were not mere geological formations; they were a sacred and feared portal known as Xibalba—the “place of fear” and the literal entrance to the underworld.
But there is no fear here today, only profound wonder and palpable excitement. After a brief stop at the park’s modern facilities to change into your swimwear and collect your gear—a comfortable, high-quality inner tube, a powerful LED headlamp, and a secure life vest—we embark on a leisurely 30-minute hike through the pristine Belizean rainforest.
This is no ordinary walk in the woods. Your guide, now acting as your personal naturalist, will reveal the myriad secrets of the jungle that tourists so often miss. You’ll learn to identify medicinal plants that Maya shamans have used for centuries for healing and rituals, from the Gumbo-Limbo tree, often called the “tourist tree” for its red, peeling bark, to the all-spice tree that fills the air with a fragrant aroma.
You’ll be taught to spot the vibrant, iridescent plumage of tropical birds like the Keel-billed Toucan and listen for the distinct, guttural roar of a distant troop of howler monkeys, the self-proclaimed landlords of the jungle. The air is thick and alive with the scent of damp earth, exotic blossoms, and decaying leaves—a rich, organic perfume that is the very breath of the rainforest. This immersive trek is a vital part of the Belize Cave Tubing and Altun Ha experience, preparing your senses for the subterranean mysteries that lie ahead.
At the mouth of the cave, a breathtaking portal into the earth framed by hanging vines and giant limestone boulders, you’ll feel a sudden, refreshing rush of cool air. Here, we slip into the crystalline water. Lean back in your tube, feel the gentle support of the current, link up with your group, and surrender to the flow of the Sibun River as it guides you from the bright jungle into the profound darkness. The moment your headlamp beam cuts through the pitch-black, a hidden world of unimaginable beauty is revealed. You are now floating through the very heart of the Maya underworld, the centerpiece of your Belize Cave Tubing and Altun Ha adventure.
Vast, cathedral-like chambers of rock, sculpted by millennia of flowing water, tower above you in the darkness. Your light will dance across thousands of glittering stalactites and stalagmites, their surfaces encrusted with calcite crystals that sparkle like a galaxy of diamonds. Some formations resemble frozen waterfalls, others look like ancient chandeliers or gnarled, mythical creatures frozen in stone.
As you drift deeper, your guide will use their light to illuminate the subtle but powerful signs of the cave’s human history: pottery shards from ceremonial vessels, smoke stains on the ceiling from ancient fires, and even carved altars where
Maya priests conducted secret rituals over a thousand years ago. Their stories, whispered by your guide, seem to echo in the silent, hallowed chambers. This is a journey that is both deeply relaxing and profoundly moving, a peaceful float through a living museum that connects you directly to the ancient world. The unique combination of natural splendor and archaeological significance makes this cave tubing experience a highlight of any trip to Belize.
After emerging from the cool, dark embrace of the caves and blinking in the brilliant tropical sunlight, you’ll have worked up a healthy appetite. We firmly believe that a true cultural immersion must include the local cuisine, so we’ll treat you to a delicious, home-cooked Belizean lunch that is as authentic as it gets. Forget generic tourist fare; you’ll savor the classic, beloved flavors of stewed chicken, rich with recado and other local spices, served with a generous portion of rice and beans slow-cooked in creamy coconut milk, and a side of fresh, crisp coleslaw.
It’s the kind of hearty, satisfying, and soul-warming meal that has fueled Belizeans for generations. We provide purified water throughout the day to keep you hydrated, and to celebrate your successful journey through the underworld, we’ll share a complimentary taste of our famous local rum punch—the perfect sweet and tangy tropical toast to an absolutely incredible morning. This meal is an integral part of the Belize Cave Tubing and Altun Ha tour, designed to give you a true taste of our culture.
Re-energized and refreshed, we board our vehicle for the second chapter of our grand tour: a visit to the magnificent Altun Ha Maya Ruins. As we travel through the Belize River Valley, your guide will set the stage, sharing the rich history of this once-thriving ceremonial and trade center. Altun Ha, which translates to “Rockstone Pond” in the Yucatec Mayan language, was not an isolated city but a vital link in the Maya coastal trade network, connecting the inland resources with maritime routes that stretched from modern-day Mexico to Honduras. Its accumulated wealth and importance are still evident in the grandeur of its remaining structures. The Belize Cave Tubing and Altun Ha tour is designed to showcase both the subterranean and the monumental aspects of the Maya civilization.
Arriving at the archaeological site is a powerful experience. The dense jungle suddenly opens up to reveal two large, manicured plazas flanked by impressive, steep-sided temples that reach for the sky. The sheer scale and precision of the architecture are awe-inspiring. You are now walking in the very footsteps of Maya priests, elite scribes, skilled astronomers, and powerful kings who lived here over 1,500 years ago.
The most iconic structure, instantly recognizable to any Belizean, is the “Temple of the Masonry Altars,” a majestic pyramid rising 54 feet high. This is the very temple featured on the label of Belize’s national beer, Belikin, a symbol of national pride. It was within this temple that archaeologists in 1968 made one of the most significant finds in Maya history: the single largest carved jade object ever discovered in the Maya world. The nine-pound “Jade Head,” a priceless and exquisitely detailed effigy of the Sun God, Kinich Ahau, is a testament to the power and prestige of the rulers of Altun Ha.
Your guide will bring the silent stones to life with vivid stories of the complex rituals performed here, the astronomical significance of the temples’ alignment with the solstices, and the details of daily life for the thousands of people who called this city home. You will have the opportunity to climb the ancient stone steps of the main temples, an act that connects you physically to the past.
The effort is rewarded tenfold with a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the entire site, the surrounding jungle canopy stretching out to the horizon like a vast green sea. From this vantage point, you can truly appreciate the genius of Maya engineering and feel the palpable spiritual power that still resides in this sacred place. The seamless combination of high-adventure cave exploration and profound historical discovery makes the Belize Cave Tubing and Altun Ha tour the most complete and fulfilling day trip available in Belize. This is why so many visitors choose the Belize Cave Tubing and Altun Ha package for their main shore excursion.
At Belize Fun Tours, we are not just another tour company; we are proud ambassadors of our beautiful country. We are a 100% locally-owned and operated business dedicated to providing authentic, safe, and personalized experiences that go beyond the surface.
Price: $165.00 USD Per Person $125 Children under 13 years (verified)
Don’t just see Belize—experience its vibrant heart and ancient soul. Let us show you the magic that lies hidden in our sacred caves and the majesty that stands proudly in our ancient cities. Book your Belize Cave Tubing and Altun Ha adventure with Belize Fun Tours today and create powerful, lasting memories that you will cherish for a lifetime.
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