Xunantunich and St. Herman's Cave Tubing from Hopkins

Climb the temple, float the cave, swim the cenote in one day

A full-day tour from Hopkins combines Xunantunich's ancient Mayan temples with cave tubing at St. Herman's Cave and a swim stop at the Inland Blue Hole. After climbing El Castillo and learning the site's history from a guide, you'll walk into the jungle, float through dark cave chambers on a tube, then cool off in the cenote before the drive back to your resort.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Xunantunich1h 30m · entry included
2. Blue Hole National Park30m · entry included

Visit Mayan ruins and cave tubing

• Travel to Xunantunich Ancient city
• Climb to top of El Castillo temple
• Take short jungle walk to cave system
• Float relaxed inside St. Herman's cave tubing
• Swim at Inland Blue Hole
• Return to resort

The experience

The day starts at Xunantunich, where a guide leads you through the ancient city and up El Castillo: the tallest temple on the site. From the top, you see the towns and landscape spread below. The guide explains the history and points out local wildlife: birds, coatimundi, spiders, and howler monkeys move through the ruins. After exploring the temples, you drive to St. Herman's Cave, a short jungle walk away.

At the cave, you float on a tube through dark chambers lit only by your headlamp, drifting through one of Belize's most impressive cave systems. The water is calm and the atmosphere quiet. Nothing like the crowded cruise-ship tours elsewhere in the country. All tubing gear is provided. After the cave, a quick stop at the Inland Blue Hole gives you time to swim and rinse off before the five-hour drive back to Hopkins.

The tour runs eight to nine hours total, with about five hours spent driving round-trip. Lunch and bottled water are included. A live guide speaks English and Spanish, so you follow the commentary in whichever language works for you. Children from age five are welcome, and the activity suits all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from your Hopkins resort.
• guided tour of Xunantunich with commentary in English or Spanish.
• all cave tubing equipment.
• lunch.
• bottled water.
• park admissions to both Xunantunich and the Inland Blue Hole.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Belize Inland Tours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and Spanish, so you follow the commentary in whichever language is comfortable, no translation needed. If you have spinal injuries or cardiovascular concerns, check with your doctor before booking, as the day involves climbing, walking and water activity.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What is El Castillo and why climb it?

El Castillo is the tallest temple at Xunantunich, the ancient Mayan city you visit on this tour. Climbing to the top gives you views of the surrounding towns and landscape, and the guide explains the site's history and points out wildlife along the way.

What is cave tubing like at St. Herman's Cave?

You float on a tube through dark cave chambers lit by your headlamp, drifting through one of Belize's most impressive cave systems. The water is calm and peaceful, and all tubing equipment is provided. You just bring yourself and a headlamp.

How much of the day is driving versus activities?

About five hours of the eight to nine hour day is driving round-trip from Hopkins. The remaining time is split between exploring Xunantunich, the jungle walk and cave tubing, and the swim stop at the Inland Blue Hole.

What animals might I see at the ruins?

Xunantunich is home to birds, coatimundi, spiders, and howler monkeys. The guide points them out as you explore the temples and walk the site.

Is this tour crowded with cruise passengers?

No, this tour operates away from the cruise-ship routes, so you avoid the crowds that gather at other Belize attractions.