Cave Tubing & Xunantunich Ruins from Placencia: Private Tour

Limestone caves, ancient ruins, and a full day in one route

A private or small-group tour from Placencia combining cave tubing through limestone formations and a visit to Xunantunich, one of Belize's largest Mayan archaeological sites. The tour includes a live guide in English or Spanish, lunch, an air-conditioned vehicle with pickup, and all safety gear. The day runs about 10 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Xunantunich and cave tubing

• Travel from Placencia to Xunantunich
• Explore Xunantunich Mayan Ruins
• Float through limestone cave tubes
• Learn about Maya rituals and ceremonies

The experience

The route starts with pickup from your Placencia hotel and a drive inland to the cave system. You'll float through limestone archways on tubes, moving through passages that held significance in ancient Maya rituals. The guide explains the formations and the history embedded in them as you move through the water. Helmets, headlights and life jackets are provided.

After the caves, the tour heads to Xunantunich, one of the largest Mayan ruins in Belize. The site sits on a hilltop and includes pyramids, plazas and structures spanning centuries of Maya occupation. Lunch is included partway through the day. The guide walks you through the layout and the purpose of the major buildings, grounding the architecture in what you can see from where you stand.

An air-conditioned vehicle handles the transport between stops, and the full day (caves, ruins, lunch and travel) takes about 10 hours. You choose whether to book a private tour for your group or join a small group departure. Both options include the same guide, vehicle, meals and gear.

What’s included

• Lunch.
• air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup.
• helmets, headlights and life jackets.
• parking fees.
• live guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to2d before

AgesUp to 89 years

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 11 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Truly Wild Belize

Is this one for you?The day combines water and walking with a 10-hour commitment, so it suits travelers with moderate fitness who are comfortable in caves and on archaeological sites. Private tours work well for groups who want to set their own pace. Small-group departures keep costs down if you're traveling solo or as a pair.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is the cave tubing like?

You float on tubes through limestone passages and archways, moving through water that flows through the cave system. The passages are lit by headlights you wear, and the guide points out formations and explains their role in ancient Maya ceremonies and daily life.

How much walking is involved at Xunantunich?

Xunantunich requires moderate walking across the site to see the pyramids and plazas. The guide leads you through the main structures and explains their layout and use, but the pace and which buildings you visit depend on your group's fitness and interests.

What's included in the tour price?

Lunch, an air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup, helmets, headlights and life jackets, parking fees, and a live guide speaking English or Spanish are all included.

How long is the full day?

The tour runs about 10 hours from pickup to return, covering the drive to the caves, the tubing itself, the visit to Xunantunich, lunch and the return journey to Placencia.

Can I book this as a private tour, or does it run on a fixed schedule?

You can book a private tour for your group or join a small-group departure. Both options include the same guide, vehicle, meals and gear. Choose which works best for your party size and schedule at checkout.