Belize Cave Tubing & Altun Ha Private Tour with Lunch

Summary

Private Cave Tubing and Altun Ha Mayan Ruins Day Trip

If you want real adventure—floating through ancient caves and exploring Mayan ruins all in one day—this tour covers it. You’ll get local stories, wildlife sightings, and time to soak up Belize’s wild side without feeling rushed.

What’s the experience like?

We kicked off the morning just as the sun started warming up the Belizean air—already sticky, but the kind of heat that makes the jungle smells sharper. Our guide, Luis, met us at the port with a grin and a cooler full of water bottles (trust me, you’ll want them). After a short drive, we changed into swimwear at the cave reserve. While we fumbled with our water shoes, Luis prepped the tubes and chatted about his childhood in the area. The trail to the cave was shaded by huge mahogany trees, and I caught the faint scent of wild orchids mixed with damp earth. It’s only about 15 minutes but you’ll probably stop to spot a toucan or two—Luis has eagle eyes for wildlife.

The river felt cold at first dip, but after a few seconds it was perfect. Floating into the cave, everything went quiet except for water dripping somewhere far off and Luis’s flashlight beam catching crystals overhead. He pointed out a sinkhole where sunlight poured in—felt almost unreal. We drifted for over an hour through chambers and past little waterfalls, snapping photos when we could. When we finally floated out into open river again, the sun felt extra bright on our faces. The last stretch is just lazy floating—no rush at all.

After drying off and changing back into dry clothes (don’t forget extra socks), we headed to Altun Ha. The site isn’t crowded like some ruins I’ve seen elsewhere; you can actually hear parrots squabbling in the trees. Walking between the plazas, our guide explained how this place was once packed with traders and priests. There’s a small museum on site—worth popping in to see the famous jade head replica. Vendors sell fresh fruit near the entrance; I grabbed a slice of pineapple that tasted way sweeter than anything back home. If you’re lucky, you might spot iguanas sunning themselves on the stones or hear howler monkeys off in the distance.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cave Tubing and Altun Ha Tour

• Educational hike through rainforest
• Tube through cave and swim
• Float on open river
• Guided tour of Altun Ha Mayan city

Top questions

How long does this Belize cave tubing & Altun Ha tour take?

The whole experience lasts about 5 hours from pickup to drop-off, including time for swimming in the caves and exploring Altun Ha at a relaxed pace.

Is lunch included? What if I’m vegetarian?

Yes, lunch is part of the package! Vegetarian options are available—just let us know when booking so we can arrange it for you.

What should I bring for cave tubing?

You’ll want swimwear, water shoes (the rocks can be slippery), a towel, dry clothes for after tubing, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Extra socks are handy too.

Can kids join this tour?

Kids are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. Just keep in mind everyone needs a moderate level of fitness for hiking and tubing.

What’s included

This private tour includes your local guide (who really knows their stuff), bottled water to keep you cool, lunch with veggie options if needed, air-conditioned minivan transport from port pickup to drop-off, plus all taxes and fuel fees covered. All tubing gear is provided—you just need to show up ready for adventure!