Xunantunich Cave Tubing Tour: Maya Ruins & Rivers

Climb Maya structures in the morning, float through cave rivers in the afternoon

This full-day tour from San Ignacio combines a guided exploration of Xunantunich, a major Maya archaeological site, with cave tubing through the underground waterways of Nohoch Che'en (Jaguar Paw). The guide meets you at your hotel, drives you to each site, and provides all entrance fees, tubing gear and a home-cooked lunch. The tour runs 9 to 11 hours depending on how much time you spend exploring the cave system and swimming in the underground river.

Step-by-step itinerary

Xunantunich tour and cave tubing

• Meet guide at San Ignacio hotel
• Drive 20 minutes to Xunantunich
• Guided tour of Xunantunich site
• Drive 1.5 hours to Nohoch Che'en Caves
• Enjoy homemade Belizean lunch
• Pick up tubing gear
• Hike 25-30 minutes to tubing start
• Cave tubing for 2-3 hours
• Change clothes after tubing
• Drive 1.5 hours back to San Ignacio

The Experience

Your guide picks you up at your San Ignacio hotel and drives about 20 minutes to Xunantunich, where you'll spend 1 to 2 hours exploring the Maya site. You climb El Castillo and walk through the rest of the structures with the guide explaining what you're standing in front of. The site sits on a hilltop overlooking the Cayo District, and the guide decides how much time to spend based on your pace and interest.

After Xunantunich, it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive to Nohoch Che'en (also called Jaguar Paw), where you eat a home-made lunch before the cave tubing starts. You'll hike about 25 to 30 minutes to the tubing launch point, then spend 2 to 3 hours floating through the underground river system on a tube. The water is clear and the cave passages open up in places where you can swim or explore on foot if conditions allow and your fitness level suits it — the guide assesses this as you go. Afterward, you change out of wet clothes and drive back to San Ignacio, which takes about 1.5 hours.

The tour is shared, so your group size depends on the season — anywhere from 2 people to 8 per guide. Bring a complete change of clothes, sunscreen and insect repellent. If you have dietary needs (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free), tell the operator at booking so lunch is prepared for you. Hotel pickups within San Ignacio town are included; pickups from resorts outside town carry an extra fee that varies by location.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off within San Ignacio.
• entrance fees to Xunantunich and Nohoch Che'en.
• cave tubing equipment and water.
• a home-cooked lunch with dietary options available on request.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.
• small group tours with a maximum of 8 people per guide.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by St Leonard's Tours

Is this one for you?This is a shared tour with a set itinerary and fixed timing, which is what keeps both the Maya site and the cave system inside a single day without you arranging transport between them. Choose it if you want to see two major attractions without renting a car or coordinating pickups yourself, and if you're comfortable with a moderate level of physical activity — the hike to the tubing start and the time in the water are the main demands.

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Top questions

What is El Castillo and why is it the main stop at Xunantunich?

El Castillo is the largest structure at Xunantunich, a Classic-period Maya site, and climbing it gives you views across the Cayo District and into Guatemala. It's the centerpiece of the ruins tour because of its size and the vantage point it offers.

How deep is the water during cave tubing, and can I swim if I'm not a strong swimmer?

The cave tubing happens in an underground river where the water depth varies, but you stay on the tube for most of the journey. The guide assesses conditions and your swimming ability as you go and can advise whether it's safe to leave the tube and explore the cave on foot; if you're a non-swimmer, let the operator know at booking.

What happens if Nohoch Che'en is closed due to flooding?

The operator has a second cave tubing park available as a backup. If both parks are affected by severe rain, the tour may be rescheduled, but the operator will work with you to find an alternative date.

Is the 9 to 11 hour duration the same for everyone, or does it change?

The duration depends on how much time you spend exploring inside the cave system and swimming in the underground river. Your guide will adjust based on your interests and fitness level, so some groups finish closer to 9 hours and others closer to 11.

Can my 5-year-old join this tour?

Children are welcome from age 5, but they must be at least 40 inches tall to participate in the cave tubing portion. Your child can still do the Xunantunich ruins tour; check with the operator about whether the cave tubing is suitable for their height and swimming ability.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to pay for separately?

The price covers all entrance fees to both sites, cave tubing equipment, water, lunch and hotel pickup and drop-off within San Ignacio town. Bring cash for souvenirs, snacks and any medication you need during the day; alcoholic drinks and gratuities are not included.