Xunantunich Cave Tubing Private Mayan Ruins Tour

Ancient plazas, El Castillo views, and a float through the underground river

A private, guide-led day tour from Placencia that pairs Xunantunich Mayan ruins with cave tubing at Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve. Walk the ceremonial plazas at El Castillo, learn how the ancient city developed, then float through limestone chambers on the Caves Branch River with your guide. The tour runs about 9 hours and moves at a pace your group sets. Hotel pickup is included. A minimum of two people per booking applies, and the experience is not wheelchair accessible.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Xunantunich and cave tubing

• Pickup from Placencia hotel
• Walk through Xunantunich plazas
• View Cayo District from El Castillo
• Receive cave tubing gear
• Walk forest approach to caves
• Float through underground river

The experience

You start from your Placencia hotel and travel to Xunantunich, a ceremonial center that sits close to Belize's western border. The site fills its visitors with a sense of time travel: you walk through the plazas, take in the wide Cayo District views around El Castillo, and learn how the ancient city developed from your guide. Vendors line the river at the entrance to the hand-cranked ferry that carries you across to the ruins. A crossing that has carried thousands before you.

In the afternoon, you head to Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve near Frank's Eddy. Your guide walks you through the forest, and at the river you receive a helmet, headlamp, life vest, and tube. You float through the limestone chambers and open-river section, looking up at the formations overhead as the underground river carries you through. The whole day (travel, both sites, and the cave float) takes about 9 hours. Because the tour is private and customizable, your group moves at a comfortable pace within the confirmed itinerary.

Your guide speaks English or Spanish and is with you throughout. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Lunch is not, so plan accordingly or bring something with you.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Placencia accommodation.
• local guide fluent in English or Spanish.
• all safety gear for cave tubing (helmet, headlamp, life vest, tube).
• access to both Xunantunich Mayan ruins and Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (10 to 70 years) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 10 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 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 private option if your group wants to move at its own pace and spend as much time as you like at each site. The small or large group versions work if you're traveling solo or prefer to meet other visitors and share the cost of the guide.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

5 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

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 exactly is Xunantunich and what will I see there?

Xunantunich is an ancient Mayan ceremonial center near Belize's western border. You walk through the ceremonial plazas and around El Castillo, the main temple, taking in wide views of the Cayo District while your guide explains how the ancient city developed. Vendors sell local souvenirs, hammocks, and blankets near the hand-cranked ferry at the entrance.

How does the cave tubing part work?

At Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve, your guide walks you through the forest to the river. You receive a helmet, headlamp, life vest, and tube, then float through limestone chambers and an open-river section, looking up at the formations overhead as the water carries you through.

Is this tour private or shared with other groups?

You can book this tour as a private experience for your group, a small group tour with other travelers, or a larger group option. You choose which at checkout. All versions include a local guide and hotel pickup from Placencia.

What's included and what do I need to bring?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, a local guide in English or Spanish, helmet, headlamp, life vest, and tube are all included. Lunch is not included, so bring food or plan to eat before or after the tour. Children are welcome from age 5, though the experience is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with back or spinal issues.

How long does the whole day take?

The tour runs about 9 hours from start to finish, including travel time between Placencia, Xunantunich, and the caves. Because your group sets the pace at each site, the exact timing can shift slightly depending on how long you spend at the ruins or floating the river.