Xunantunich Cave Tubing Tour: Maya Ruins & Rivers

Climb a 130-foot Maya pyramid, then float through glittering cave passages on the same day

This full-day tour from San Ignacio combines two of Belize's major attractions: the archaeological site of Xunantunich, where you climb El Castillo pyramid and explore plazas and temples with a licensed guide, then a cave tubing adventure through underground rivers with safety gear and guide narration. Lunch, all entrance fees, transport and equipment are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Xunantunich and cave tubing

• Hotel pickup in San Ignacio
• Cross Mopan River on hand-cranked ferry
• Drive uphill to Xunantunich reserve
• Explore Maya temples with local guide
• Climb El Castillo pyramid for views
• Enjoy Belizean lunch
• Drive to cave tubing site
• Receive gear and safety briefing
• Hike through rainforest to caves
• Float through underground river caves
• Use changing rooms and restrooms
• Return drive to San Ignacio hotel

Stops and time spent at each 5 stops

1. San Ignacio 5m
2. San Jose Succotz 15m
3. Xunantunich Entry included 2h
4. Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve Entry included 4h
5. San Ignacio 2h

What’s included

• Fresh Belizean lunch at a nearby restaurant.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• all entrance fees to Xunantunich and the cave tubing site.
• safety gear including inner tubes, helmets, headlamps and life vests.
• licensed tour guide in English.

Times

Looking for another day or time? ›

• Every day 07:30

Information

Visit Xunantunich's 130-foot pyramid for jungle views into Guatemala, then float through limestone caves on the Mopan River.

Group Up to 40 1 similar private tour ›

Live guide English Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup You can choose: pickup at your hotel, or go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. When you book, you choose your hotel from 42 pickup locations; if yours isn’t listed, you can type in your address. Pickup is about 15 minutes before departure. See the exact addressSee the pickup points

Book up to 12h before

Ages Adult (4 to 90 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free 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.

Good to know

Moderate physical effort Not recommended during pregnancy Not recommended with heart problems Not recommended with back problems Infants must sit on laps

More information The exact meeting point address, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

4.67 ★★★★★ Excellent 3 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your San Ignacio hotel and a crossing of the Mopan River on a hand-cranked ferry: a manual, working ferry that sets the tone for what follows. Your guide drives you one mile uphill into the reserve to reach Xunantunich, where you'll spend the morning walking through plazas, ball courts and ceremonial areas. The centerpiece is El Castillo, the 130-foot pyramid that is Belize's second-tallest structure. Climbing it takes effort, but the payoff is sweeping jungle views that stretch into Guatemala on clear days. Your guide shares the history of Maya rulers, rituals, astronomy and trade as you move through the site.

After a freshly prepared Belizean lunch (vegetarian and vegan options available on request), you drive 1.5 hours to the cave tubing site. A guide outfits you with a helmet, life vest, headlamp and tube, then leads a 25–30 minute hike through rainforest with river crossings before you reach the cave entrance. You swim in and begin floating through limestone passages studded with stalactites and stalagmites. The guide shares Maya legends of Xibalba, the underworld, as you drift through cathedral-like chambers and past sacred altars carved into the rock. The tubing itself is a float, not a paddle or a swim. The current carries you through passages that open into hidden chambers and glittering formations.

The tour ends with changing rooms and restrooms at the parking lot before the return drive to San Ignacio, where you're dropped at your hotel. The whole day runs 8.5 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Top questions

Can I be picked up at my hotel?

You can choose: pickup at your hotel, or go straight to the meeting point. When you book, you choose your hotel from 42 pickup locations; if yours isn’t listed, you can type in your address. Pickup is about 15 minutes before departure.

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.

How steep is the climb up El Castillo pyramid at Xunantunich?

El Castillo is 130 feet tall, and the climb is a central part of the Xunantunich visit. The operator notes that travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness for this tour, which includes both the pyramid climb and the rainforest hike to the cave entrance.

What happens during the cave tubing part of the day?

After a 25–30 minute guided hike through rainforest, you swim into a cave entrance and float on an inner tube through limestone passages. Your guide provides a helmet, life vest and headlamp, and narrates Maya stories about Xibalba as you drift past stalactites, stalagmites and sacred altars inside the caves.

Is lunch included, and are there options for dietary restrictions?

Yes, a freshly prepared Belizean lunch is included at a nearby restaurant. Vegetarian and vegan options are available on request.

What equipment and safety gear do I get for cave tubing?

The operator provides inner tubes, helmets, headlamps and life vests. A safety briefing happens before you enter the water.

Operated by Ruwa Travels. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago