Xunantunich & Cave Tubing Tour: Mayan Ruins & Jungle Caves

Climb El Castillo, then float through five cave systems in one day

A full-day tour from Belize City pairs Xunantunich's El Castillo temple (a significant Mayan structure you climb for panoramic views of the Belize River Valley) with cave tubing at Nohoch Che'en Reserve. After a 30-45 minute jungle walk and river crossing, you enter your tube and drift through five connected cave systems, exiting where you started. Park fees, lunch, tubing gear and all transfers are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Xunantunich and cave tubing

• Climb El Castillo temple steps
• Enjoy panoramic Belize River views
• Take 30-45min jungle walk
• Cross river and enter tubes
• Tube through 5 cave systems
• Float along jungle-lined river

The experience

Eight and a half hours takes you from Belize City to two of the country's most visited sites in a single itinerary. The day starts with a climb up the stone steps of El Castillo, the temple at Xunantunich's heart. The vistas from the top frame the Belize River Valley. After time to explore the site, you head to Nohoch Che'en Reserve for the cave tubing portion, which begins with a jungle walk that follows the river upstream and crosses it once before you reach the launch point.

The tubing itself covers five separate cave systems. You float through them in sequence, helmet and light provided, with the river as your guide. The final stretch runs along jungle-lined banks back to where you first crossed, completing a loop. A licensed guide leads both sections and speaks English or Spanish. Lunch, a Belizean meal with a beverage, comes partway through, and purified water is available throughout. Round-trip air-conditioned transfers from Belize City bookend the day, so you don't arrange transport yourself.

All park fees, tubing equipment, taxes and fees are built into the price. The tour suits travelers with moderate fitness. It is not recommended for anyone with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers. Groups stay small enough that the guide can pace the day around the people on it.

What’s included

• Park entry fees for both Xunantunich and Nohoch Che'en Reserve.
• round-trip air-conditioned transfers from Belize City.
• professional licensed guide in English or Spanish.
• cave tubing gear including helmet, headlight, life vest and tube.
• complimentary tube portage.
• Belizean lunch with beverage.
• purified water.
• all taxes and fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:45

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 26

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 16 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 12 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by UpClose Belize

Is this one for you?Small groups keep the pace manageable and let the guide adjust to the people on the day. This tour works for anyone with moderate fitness who wants both archaeology and adventure without splitting the experience across two separate bookings.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

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 El Castillo and why climb it?

El Castillo is the main temple at Xunantunich, a significant Mayan structure. Climbing its stone steps brings you to the top, where you get panoramic views across the Belize River Valley: the payoff for the climb and the reason most visitors make it their first stop on the site.

How does cave tubing work at Nohoch Che'en?

You float through five connected cave systems on an inner tube, guided by the river itself. A jungle walk and river crossing get you to the starting point. Once you're in the water, the current carries you through the caves and back out to the jungle-lined river where you began, completing a loop.

What gear do I get for cave tubing?

The tour provides a helmet, headlight, life vest and inner tube. All of it is included in the price, so you don't need to bring or rent anything separately.

How long is the jungle walk before tubing starts?

The walk is 30 to 45 minutes and follows the river upstream, crossing it once before you reach the tubes. It's part of the journey to the launch point, not a separate hike.

What's included in the lunch?

You get a Belizean local meal with a beverage partway through the day. Purified water is also available throughout, so you stay hydrated between the two main sites.