Xunantunich Mayan Ruin and Cave Tubing from Belize City

Underground river float and climb ancient Maya site for Cayo District views

A guide-led tour from Belize City combines two half-day experiences: exploration of Xunantunich, a major Maya ceremonial site with views from El Castillo across the Cayo District, and cave tubing through the Caves Branch River system with helmet, headlamp and life vest provided. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. The full experience takes about 6 hours. Groups stay under 20 travelers, and you can book shared or private.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Xunantunich and cave tubing

• Pickup from Belize City hotel
• Ride hand-cranked ferry across Mopan River
• Walk through Xunantunich ceremonial plazas
• Enjoy panoramic views from El Castillo
• Have lunch near Xunantunich
• Receive helmet, headlamp, life vest, and tube
• Hike through forest to cave entrance
• Float cave tubing through limestone caves
• Return to Belize City hotel

The experience

The day starts with hotel pickup in Belize City and a drive to Xunantunich, where you cross the Mopan River on a hand-cranked ferry before reaching the site. A local guide leads you through the ceremonial plazas and explains how the ancient city developed, then you climb El Castillo to take in the panoramic views of the Cayo District and into Guatemala. After lunch, the group heads to Nohoch Che'en near Frank's Eddy to prepare for the cave section.

At the cave entrance, you receive a helmet, headlamp, life vest and tube, plus a safety briefing from your guide. A short forest walk brings you to the Caves Branch River, where you spend roughly an hour and a half floating through the limestone cave system on your inner tube. The headlamp lights the formations overhead as you move through both the cave passages and open-river sections with your guide leading the way. After the tubing, you return to your hotel in Belize City.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Belize City.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• access to Xunantunich with guide-led exploration of the ceremonial plazas and El Castillo.
• lunch.
• helmet, headlamp, life vest and inner tube for cave tubing.
• safety briefing before the cave section.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English or Spanish07:30

Guide in English or Spanish08:00

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30 and 08:00

Book up to12h before

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

GroupUp to 20

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 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

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by Private Belize Adventure

Is this one for you?Book the shared tour if you're comfortable with a group of up to 20 and want the standard price, or choose private if you're traveling with family or friends and prefer your own pace through both sites. Moderate fitness is needed for the forest walk to the cave and the climbing at Xunantunich, and the full 6-hour commitment fits best into a day when you have no other plans in Belize City.

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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 is it worth the trip from Belize City?

Xunantunich was a major ceremonial center for the ancient Maya and the first Mayan site in Belize to open to the public, in 1954. From the top of El Castillo, you get a wide panoramic view of the Cayo District and across the border into Guatemala, which is the main reason travelers make the journey.

How long does the cave tubing section actually take?

The cave tubing portion lasts approximately one hour and thirty minutes, during which you float through the limestone cave system and open-river sections on your inner tube with your guide.

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

You receive a helmet, headlamp, life vest and inner tube. Your guide provides a safety briefing before you enter the water and stays with you throughout the float.

Should I book the shared tour or the private tour?

The shared tour keeps groups under 20 travelers and is the standard option. The private tour is available if you prefer to travel with only your own group. Both include the same sites, guide and inclusions.