Cave Tubing
An activity you'll find in few places outside Belize is cave tubing. You drift down a river, usually the Caves Branch River in the Cayo District, in a large rubber inner tube. At certain points the river goes underground, and you float through eerie underground cave systems, some with Mayan artifacts still in place. The only light is from headlamps.
In the last years since Jaguar Paw Lodge (now no longer operating as a lodge) and Caves Branch Adventure Co. & Jungle Lodge (673/3454, 866/357–2698 www.cavesbranch.com) first introduced it, cave tubing has become one of the most popular soft-adventure activities in Belize. It's the number one mainland shore excursion of cruise-ship passengers, and on days when several large ships are docked in Belize City you should expect inner-tube traffic jams.
Caves Branch River has two main entry points: near the former Jaguar Paw Lodge (off Mile 37 of George Price Hwy.), at Nohoch Che’en Caves Branch Archeological Reserve, and near Caves Branch Adventure Co. & Jungle Lodge (off Hummingbird Hwy. 822/2800). The Jaguar Paw access attracts more people, and when several cruise ships are in port at Belize City the river here can be jammed. There's a parking area about 0.5 mile (1 km) from Jaguar Paw, and here you'll find a number of independent tour guides for cave-tubing tours, which vary in length. Cave-tubing trips from Caves Branch Lodge are longer, require more hiking, and cost more.
Cave tubing is subject to changes in the river levels. In the dry season (February–May or June), the river levels are often too low for cave tubing. Also, after heavy rains, the water level in the river may be too high to safely float through caves, so in the rainy season (June–November) cave-tubing trips may occasionally be canceled. Always call ahead to check if tours are operating.
Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch Archeological Reserve. Often still referred to as Jaguar Paw (the name of the jungle lodge formerly at this site), Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch is the most-visited archaeological site in Belize, mainly because of the number of cruise-ship day-trippers who come here. However, that doesn't diminish the grandeur—and just plain fun—you'll experience when you float on inner tubes in the Caves Branch River through caves that the ancient Maya held sacred. Many Belize City, Belmopan, and San Ignacio tour companies offer cave-tubing tours that include transportation, equipment, and a guide. If you have a rental car, you can drive to the park and do cave tubing on your own with a guide for lower cost. The site is at the end of a paved road off Mile 37 of the George Price Highway, and is now quite commercial with a large paved parking lot, changing rooms, concession stands, a bar, and shops. Tour operators at the site provide guides and equipment, and independent guides will also be around to offer tours. Tours start with a 30-minute hike to the cave entrance, and then you float back to a point near the parking lot. Cave tubing is not recommended for young children—some operators have a 12-year-old age requirement. At times during the rainy season, and occasionally during other parts of the year, water may be too high for safe tubing. Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch, off Mile 37, George Price Hwy. , Cayo. 226/2882; www.nichbelize.org. BZ$30.
