Altun Ha & Cave Tubing from Belize City: Private Mayan ruins tour

The Maya believed these caves were the gateway to the underworld.

A private tour from Belize City visits Altun Ha, a former trading center where Belize's Jade Head was discovered, then moves to Jaguar Paw caves where you tube down a river past ancient artwork and rock formations. The tour runs five hours, includes an experienced guide, A/C vehicle, and a Belizean lunch; children from age 4 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Altun Ha Ruins and Cave Tubing

• Visit Altun Ha Maya Ruin
• Hike to highest structures
• Enjoy panoramic views
• Travel to Jaguar Paw caves
• Swim at cave entrance
• Tube down river into caves

The Experience

The day starts at Altun Ha, a Mayan ruin that once served as a regional trading hub. You hike to the tops of the highest structures—where the Mayan elite lived—and get panoramic views across the site and the jungle beyond. The Jade Head, one of Belize's national treasures, was found here, and the guide walks you through what that discovery meant for understanding the civilization that built it.

After Altun Ha, the tour moves to Jaguar Paw. You reach the cave entrance and the river, take a swim to cool off, then tube downstream into the caves themselves. The water carries you past artwork the Maya left on the walls and through rock formations carved by centuries of flow. The caves are where the Maya believed the underworld began—Xibabla, ruled by death gods—and the guide explains what these spaces meant to the people who used them.

Transport is in an air-conditioned van with a driver who knows the route and the timing. Lunch is a Belizean meal of rice and beans, stewed chicken, and potato salad or coleslaw, plus sodas and bottled water. The whole day is five hours from pickup to return.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned van transport with pickup from your Belize City location.
• experienced guide in English or Spanish.
• entry to Altun Ha and Jaguar Paw caves.
• lunch of rice and beans, stewed chicken, and salad.
• sodas and bottled water.
• all fees and taxes.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Jose Tours Belize

Is this one for you?Book this if you want both Altun Ha ruins and cave tubing in one trip with private pacing and a single pickup—the five-hour format keeps it manageable for families with young children.

Traveler reviews

4.59★★★★★★★★★★

27 verified traveler reviews

5 ★22

4 ★2

3 ★1

2 ★1

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What is the Jade Head and why does it matter?

The Jade Head is one of Belize's national treasures, discovered at Altun Ha. It is a carved jade sculpture that archaeologists found at the site and it helped reveal how sophisticated the Mayan trading networks and craftsmanship were during the height of the civilization.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer to tube through the caves?

The cave tubing at Jaguar Paw does not require strong swimming skills; you float on a tube down a calm river. However, the tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy, and you should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness.

What time does the tour start and when am I back?

Pickup is included from your Belize City hotel or location. The full tour runs five hours, so timing depends on where you start, but the operator will confirm the pickup window when you book.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Children are welcome from age 4 and up. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during transport.

What is included in the lunch?

Lunch is a Belizean meal with rice and beans, stewed chicken, and a choice of potato salad or coleslaw, plus sodas and bottled water.

Is the guide fluent in English?

The guide is available in English or Spanish, so you can choose the language when you book.