When visiting Belize, it’s highly recommended
that at some point you enter the realm of Xibalba. Xibalba
was the Mayan term for the mystical and spiritual realm
found within caves. The ancient Maya used caves for ritual
purposes and for burial grounds and such, and in the Belize
caves, you’ll often see evidence of this. Belize
cave tours are among the most popular of all the Belize
tours, and you’ll have no problem arranging one.
There are believed to be thousands Belize caves, as limestone
lines much of the country’s land surface. While
some of the caves in Belize present a challenge to not
only get to, but to then navigate, others are easy to
access and thus ideal for those less-inclined to want
to do a bunch of hiking and such. Belize cave tubing,
which can be enjoyed during the June-November wet season,
is a great way to experience some of the caves in Belize,
and it’s quite an unforgettable experience. Stalactites,
stalagmites, and other kinds of marvelous sights await
those who enter the magical Belize caves.
The most extensive and most visited network of Belize
caves is found in the western part of the country, namely
the Cayo District. Some people will base themselves in
the Cayo capital of San Ignacio,
in the country capital city of Belmopan, or at one of
the area lodges if they are coming to enjoy Belize cave
tours. However, even if you are hanging out in hot spots
like Belize City, Placencia,
or Ambergris Caye, you
can still find tours that will visit the best Belize caves.
Belize’s small size is definitely an advantage in
that regard. The Caves Branch System of caves in the Cayo
District is on of the best places to enjoy Belize cave
tubing and other Belize cave tours. The “River of
Caves” tubing trip is certainly one of the best
of all the Belize cave tubing adventures, offering 7 miles
of underground tubing. Imagine floating through a cave
on an inner tube as the current carries you through a
world of wonders. Canoeing through a cave in Belize is
surely a big thrill, and in the Cayo District, you can
perhaps best enjoy this at Barton
Creek Cave. The canoes are equipped with high-power
lights that let you see things like Mayan skeletal remains
and beautiful high-ceiling cathedral chambers. Bring a
camera for sure!
Che Chem Ha Cave is easily reached from San Ignacio
Town, and it’s surely among the more popular destinations
for those seeking Belize Cave tours. Visitors here meet
at the Morales Farm, and then it’s a 45-minute hike
to get to the cave. The hike is uphill, so you’ll
want to consider that first. In fact, before taking any
Belize cave tours, it’s a good idea to fully understand
what they entail. Some might have you climbing bush ladders,
wedging through tight rock formations, rapelling down
a rock face, and so on. Che Chem Ha Cave certainly warrants
the effort required to get to it, and it is known for
its impressive collection of ancient Maya pottery. More
Maya pottery and skeletal remains can be viewed inside
The Aktun Tunichil Mucknal Cave, which is a huge Belize
tourist attraction for adventure-minded visitors.
There are so many interesting Maya artifacts to see here
that it’s almost mind-boggling. The sparkling bones
of a young Maya girl are quite something to behold, and
they lend to the cave’s label of “Cave of
the Stone Sepulcher”.
You won’t need flashlights or headlamps to explore the Rio Frio Cave in western Belize’s Mountain Pine Ridge area. This is a perfect cave-related Belize tourist attraction for those looking for a simpler adventure. During the dry season, the river dries up enough in the half-mile-long cave to allow hikers to pass through easily. The natural light is enough to see once inside, and you’ll no doubt be impressed by the 65-foot entrance hole. Rio Frio Cave is also a good cave in Belize for those who are claustrophobic, as many others can get quite cramped at certain points during exploration. It’s always a good idea to bring an extra flashlight and set of batteries if you’re going on Belize cave tours where there is no real natural light in specific areas. There is a certain amount of risk associated with Belize cave tours, so that should be understood ahead of time, and as such, going with qualified guides is usually the ideal. Enjoying yourself usually just requires using common sense and staying safe. Other than that, it’s all about taking it in.
