Yearly, lots of of 1000’s of vacationers go to Belize by cruise. Regardless of its dimension, the nation is a extremely sought-after vacation spot for common cruise traces’ Caribbean cruises. However whenever you solely have in the future to discover the marvels a rustic has to supply, selecting fastidiously learn how to spend your time makes all of the distinction. Some vacationers could choose to hit the seashore as quickly as they dock, others may wish to take it straightforward and discover on foot. There’s no improper selection (besides possibly staying on the boat), however there’s one particular exercise booked by Belize guests excess of different excursions: cave tubing.
In accordance with the Belize Tourism Board, out of the 1000’s of holiday makers that got here to Belize in April 2022, a whopping 31% selected to go cave tubing. This made it the preferred tour with greater than 3,600 folks going “butts up” within the Nohoch Che’en Caves of Belize. The world, additionally generally often known as Caves Department or Jaguar Paw, is an archaeological reserve made out of a community of limestone caves. It sits about an hour’s drive away from Belize Metropolis, the place the ship docks for the day. Guests board an air-conditioned bus and are whisked away to the south of the Metropolis of Belmopan for a day of adrenaline-pumping journey.
When you’ve arrived on the non-public location, you’ll be geared up with a helmet, headlamp, life jacket, and river tube. It’s a 20-minute jungle hike to the cave entrance, however it’s largely flat so there is no such thing as a huffing and puffing wanted to get there. There’ll come the purpose the place you might want to cross the Caves Department River to get to the cave entrance, however the water is often shallow and doesn’t go previous your knees. The very first thing you’ll discover whenever you arrive on the entrance is the stunningly blue-green river flowing gently into the cave.
Picture by way of Umaya Village
You’ll instantly wish to throw your tube down and plop proper on it, which is precisely what your information will instruct you to do. Hear fastidiously to his briefing and security protocols earlier than he straps you all collectively and leads you into the cave. Throughout excursions like these, it’s greatest to go away all electronics in peril of getting moist on the bus or on the tour website’s entrance desk. Nevertheless, if you happen to can swing it, convey a water-resistant digicam to seize the superb stalactite formations inside the caves.
Comparable: Cave Tubing: A Should-Strive Exercise in Belize
Cave tubing is a well-liked exercise for all guests to Belize. Picture by way of Sundown Caribe/Duarte Dellarole
When you’ve skilled the spooky but exhilarating rush of the darkish caves, you’ll rejoin civilization and seize lunch on website. Your complete tour takes about 5.5 hours and is a stellar introduction to the distinctive gems Belize has up its sleeve.
What you might want to know
What makes cave tubing such an interesting exercise is that it caters to all ages. Children 6 years and older and adults alike will discover enjoyable by floating gently down the Caves Department River. Cave tubing is most popularly booked by households for the reason that shut encounters permit for bonding time. The tour itself prices round $80-$90USD and requires a reasonable exercise degree. You don’t have to convey your gear, however you do have to put on gentle and cozy clothes that you just don’t thoughts getting moist and a pair of water sneakers to make issues simpler. Nevertheless, you possibly can often hire water sneakers on the tour websites if you happen to forgot to convey some.
Whereas cave tubing is Belize’s hottest land tour for cruise-goers, visiting an archeological reserve is an in depth second. If you happen to determine to go that route, we advocate both Altun Ha or Lamanai for a morning of exploring and climbing historical Maya websites.
