Xunantunich, cave tubing and ziplining from Placencia

The hand-cranked ferry to Xunantunich crosses the Mopan River before the day's three activities begin.

A guide-led day trip from Placencia combines ziplining, cave tubing, and a walk through Xunantunich ruins, the second-largest Maya site in Belize. The tour runs about 11 hours and includes hotel pickup, a local guide in English or Spanish, lunch, and soft drinks. Groups stay under 30 travelers, and children from age 5 are welcome.

The experience

Xunantunich sits on the Cayo District side of the Mopan River, reached by a hand-cranked ferry that has carried visitors for decades. Once there, you walk through the ceremonial plazas and learn how the ancient city developed, with wide views across the district from El Castillo. The guide handles the history and the navigation. You move at a steady pace through the site without the pressure of a self-guided scramble.

Cave tubing follows in the afternoon. Your guide leads you on a forest approach, runs through a safety briefing, and then you float the underground river on a tube, watching limestone formations pass overhead. The water moves slowly enough that you can look around. The guide stays with the group throughout. After that comes the zipline course, where trained guides set up the safety gear while you move between platforms suspended above the canopy. You operate the equipment. The guides manage the rigging and the transitions.

The full day runs about 11 hours from pickup at your hotel in Placencia. Lunch and soft drinks are included. You can book this as a shared group tour or as a private small group, depending on whether you want to travel with other visitors or keep the party to yourselves.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Placencia.
• local guide in English or Spanish.
• national park entry fees.
• lunch and soft drinks throughout the day.
• round-trip shared transfer to Xunantunich.
• safety briefing and equipment setup for both cave tubing and ziplining.

Options for this experience

2 options

Up to 15 people · Guide in English or Spanish06:00

Up to 5 people · Guide in English or Spanish06:00

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (10 to 77 years) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 30

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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by Private Belize Adventure

Is this one for you?Book the shared group tour if you're open to meeting other travelers and want to keep the cost down. Choose the private small group option if you prefer to move through the day with just your own party and don't mind paying more for that flexibility. Either way, the 11-hour commitment means you'll need a full day free from other plans in Placencia.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 9 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

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 is Xunantunich and why does the tour start there?

Xunantunich is the second-largest Maya ruin in Belize, built around ceremonial plazas and dominated by El Castillo, a temple with views across the Cayo District. The tour begins there because it anchors the day and gives context to the landscape you'll see from the zipline canopy later.

How does cave tubing work on this tour?

Your guide leads you on a short forest walk, gives a safety briefing, and then you float an inner tube down an underground river. The cave ceiling is limestone, and the water moves gently enough that you can look up and around as you drift through.

Do I need experience to zipline on this tour?

No. Trained guides handle all the safety setup and rigging. You operate the equipment moving between platforms, but the guides manage the technical side and stay with your group throughout the course.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, a local guide, national park fees, lunch, and soft drinks are all included. Wear comfortable walking shoes and smart casual clothes. Bring a change of clothes or a towel for after the cave tubing.

Can I book this as a private group instead of sharing with other travelers?

Yes. You can choose a shared group tour with up to 30 travelers, or book a private small group for just your party. Both options include the same guide, activities and inclusions.