Cave Tubing and Altun Ha from Caye Caulker – no better way to spend your day!
Two of Belize’s most iconic adventures on your most unforgettable day – Cave Tubing and Altun Ha from Caye Caulker! Ancient Mayan temples at Altun Ha followed by a headlamp-lit float through the sacred caves of Xibalba. Water taxi transfers, gear, lunch, and licensed guide, inclusive at US$200 per person.
Belize’s Best Maya History and Adventure Combo Day Trip – Cave Tubing and Altun Ha Mayan Ruins from Caye Caulker
The combination of Belize Cave Tubing and Altun Ha Maya Ruins is not be missed! This combo is consistently rated the most popular single-day adventure available from Caye Caulker. Climb the same temple steps the ancient Maya climbed. Float through the same cave system they considered the entrance to the underworld. The Altun Ha and Belize Cave Tubing tour from Caye Caulker doesn’t just show you Belize, it puts you inside 2,000 years of living history, from jungle summit to underground river, all in a single day!
Everything You Need to Know Before You Go – Cave Tubing and Altun Ha from Caye Caulker
| TOUR DETAILS | AND WHAT TO EXPECT |
| What time does the tour depart? | 7:30 AM via water taxi from the San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi terminal |
| How long is the tour? | 11 hours – you depart 5:30 PM via water taxi from Belize City |
| What should I wear? | Comfortable Tshirt with shorts, capris or lightweight long pants Secure shoes with grip for temple stairs, jungle trail and shallow streams. Old trainers or teva-type are ideal. No flip-flops. Swimwear worn under your clothes or pack it in your bag. Changing rooms are available. You will get wet during cave tubing! Essentials such as insect repellent, sunscreen, hat, personal water bottle, phone pouch Cash (US or BZ dollars, no coins or US$1.00) for snacks or water shoe & phone pouch rentals (~US$10 at the cave park) Small daypack with dry clothes, towel, snacks & bring flipflops & a plastic bag for wet clothes! |
| What is included? | Round trip water taxi island transfers Meet & greet on arrival in Belize City with round-trip air-conditioned transfers Park entry fee Guided tour by licensed professional Local Belizean lunch with beverage All government taxes and fees Rate is based on a final group size of 4 persons. No surcharge if joining an existing tour. |
| What is not included? | Transfers between your hotel and the San Pedro water taxi terminal Breakfast is not included but we are happy to make a stop on request! Water shoe rentals at the cave park (available from on-site cash vendors ~US$5 to US$10) Gratuity optional, at your discretion Alcoholic beverages and personal souvenirs Souvenier or other personal shopping is not included |
| How difficult is this tour? | Moderate – walking, optional temple stair climbing, jungle hiking, wading, cave floating |
| Can I book as a solo traveller? | Yes, solo travelers are welcome to join in! |
| What is the minimum group size? | The tour rate of US$200 per person is based on a final group size of 4 persons. There is no surcharge applied when joining an existing tour. |
| What else do I need to know? | The minimum height requirement is 40 inches and above required for cave tubing UpClose Belize intentionally focuses on an intimate, guide-led experience – we do not combine with cruise excursions! Solo travelers are welcome – we’ll do our best to join you with others for your tour date! UpClose Belize offers daily departures, subject to 2 persons minimum. The tour is offered in English, but Spanish is available upon request as most of our guides are bilingual. |
Your Full Day Itinerary of Cave Tubing and Altun Ha from Caye Caulker
7:00 AM — Check in at the Water Taxi Terminal on San Pedro
Arrive at the San Pedro Belize Express terminal to check in at the cashier booth with your ticket code. Receive your round trip water taxi tickets then join the queue for “Belize City”. Keep your tickets safe – they are not replaceable if lost or damaged.
7:30 AM — Board the Water Taxi at Caye Caulker
Present your Deparure ticket upon boarding. Sit back and enjoy the 60-minute crossing to the mainland terminal. Restrooms (BZ$2.00) are available at the arrival terminal (no restroom at the departure terminal on Caye Caulker).
8:30AM — Meet Your UpClose Belize Guide on the Mainland
Your guide meets you at the Belize City Terminal at the left exit with your name on a sign. You will load into our air-conditioned van and head to Altun Ha. The 60-minute drive takes you past the old colonial Haulover Bridge district. Your guide begins the day’s storytelling including the history of the Maya, the geography of Belize, and what to expect at each stop.
9:30 AM — Altun Ha Archaeological Reserve
Belize’s most visited and most important Maya archaeological sites, Altun Ha was a major ceremonial and trading centre during the Classic Maya period (roughly 200–900 AD). It was here that Belize’s most famous archaeological discovery was made: the Jade Head, a carved jade mask of the Sun God Kinich Ahau. It is featured on every Belikin beer bottle! Restrooms are available at the park.
Exploring the Temples at Altun Ha with Your Guide
Climb to the summit of the Temple of the Green Tomb for panoramic views across the northern forest canopy. This is where the Jade Head was discovered. The Temple of the Masonry Altars is the largest structure in the Plaza B complex, used for ritual ceremonies and offerings. View the Ball Court where the ancient Maya played a ritual ball game of pok-ta-pok.
11:00 AM — Drive to Nohoch Che’en Archaeological Reserve
Reboard the van and travel west, about 60-minutes, deeper into central Belize’s limestone hills and jungle. Your guide continues with historical and ecological commentary along the route.
12:00 PM — Traditional Belizean Lunch
Enjoy a home-cooked Belizean lunch of stewed chicken, rice and beans cooked in coconut milk, fresh coleslaw, ripe plantain, and local fruit juice. Vegetarian options available on request at booking. This is a proper sit-down meal, not a packaged box lunch.
1:00 PM — Cave Tubing Orientation and Gear Up
Arrive at Nohoch Che’en Archaeological Reserve, Belize’s famous cave tubing experience. Collect your, headlamp, and life vest – your tube has been portered for you! Your guide delivers a safety briefing and orientation. Changing rooms and restrooms are available at the park.
1:15 PM — The Jungle Hike to the Cave Entrance
Follow your guide on a 30 minute jungle walk to the river launch point. The trail winds across shallow streams and through the jungle. Your guide identifies trees, birds, and insects along the way. The call of Howler monkeys, toucans and more are frequently heard in the canopy overhead.
1:45 PM — Into the Caves of Xibalba
Step into river, a welcome contrast to the jungle heat! Your headlamp illuminates an otherworldly landscape of stalactites, stalagmites, cathedral-like limestone chambers, and crystalline formations that took hundreds of thousands of years to form. In the darkness, your guide tells the story of Xibalba — the Maya underworld accessed through cave openings — and points out ancient Maya pottery and artifacts left in the cave as ceremonial offerings over a thousand years ago. The 60 minute float covers multiple cave chambers connected by stretches of open river under the jungle canopy. The experience ends as the river carries you out into daylight at the lower take-out point where you first crossed the river.
3:30 PM — Depart for Belize City
Reboard the van for the return journey to Belize City. The afternoon light on the highway is beautiful and the drive gives you time to decompress, review your photos, and ask your guide any final questions about Belize.
4:30 PM — Belize City Terminal
Your guide drops you at the Belize City Terminal in time for the late afternoon water taxi back to San Pedro. Two return options at 4:30pm or 5:30 PM are available depending on your actual return time at the terminal. Your guide confirms which boat to take and ensures you are safely checked in before departing.
5:30 PM — Return to Caye Caulker
Arrive on the island ready for a cold Belikin, you’ve earned it on this Cave Tubing and Altun Ha from Caye Caulker!
Frequently Asked Questions about Cave Tubing and Altun Ha from Caye Caulker
How long is the cave tubing and Altun Ha from Caye Caulker?
The full day runs approximately 11 hours. Departure is at 7:30 AM from the water taxi terminal and you return on the island at 6:30 PM. The day includes a 60-minute water taxi crossing each way, a 90-minute drive to Altun Ha, approximately 90 minutes at the ruins, a drive to the cave park, the jungle hike, cave tubing float of approximately one hour, and a sit-down Belizean lunch.
Does the tour price for Cave Tubing and Altun Ha from Caye Caulker include the water taxi?
Yes. The UpClose Belize price of US$200 includes round-trip water taxi transfers between Caye Caulker and Belize City. Many competing operators advertise a price that excludes the water taxi. Our price is fully all-inclusive: water taxi, van transport, park entry fees, cave gear, guided tour, and lunch.
Can children and non-swimmers participate?
Yes. Cave tubing at Nohoch Che'en is suitable for children from 40 inches minimum height. This tour is also accessible for non-swimmers. All participants wear a life vest throughout the experience. The river current is gentle and there are no rapids. The tubes are stable and buoyant. Your UpClose Belize guide leads the float and maintains visual contact with everyone in the group at all times. The main requirement is completing the 25-minute jungle hike to the cave entrance, which involves wading through shallow streams. Non-swimmers and young children complete this tour successfully every day.
What time does the water taxi depart for the cave tubing and Altun Ha from Caye Caulker tour?
The water taxi departs from the San Pedro Belize Express terminal on Caye Caulker at 7:30 AM. This early departure is necessary to give you enough time on the mainland for both Altun Ha and cave tubing and to ensure you return to Belize City in time for the late afternoon water taxi back to Caye Caulker. Your guide meets you at the Belize City terminal upon arrival. Please arrive at the water taxi terminal by 7:00 AM.
How long is the cave tubing and Altun Ha from Caye Caulker?
The full day runs approximately 11 hours. Departure is at 7:30 AM from the water taxi terminal and you return on the island at 6:30 PM. The day includes a 60-minute water taxi crossing each way, a 90-minute drive to Altun Ha, approximately 90 minutes at the ruins, a drive to the cave park, the jungle hike, cave tubing float of approximately one hour, and a sit-down Belizean lunch.
Does the tour price for Cave Tubing and Altun Ha from Caye Caulker include the water taxi?
Yes. The UpClose Belize price of US$200 includes round-trip water taxi transfers between Caye Caulker and Belize City. Many competing operators advertise a price that excludes the water taxi. Our price is fully all-inclusive: water taxi, van transport, park entry fees, cave gear, guided tour, and lunch.
Can children and non-swimmers participate?
Yes. Cave tubing at Nohoch Che'en is suitable for children from 40 inches minimum height. This tour is also accessible for non-swimmers. All participants wear a life vest throughout the experience. The river current is gentle and there are no rapids. The tubes are stable and buoyant. Your UpClose Belize guide leads the float and maintains visual contact with everyone in the group at all times. The main requirement is completing the 25-minute jungle hike to the cave entrance, which involves wading through shallow streams. Non-swimmers and young children complete this tour successfully every day.
What time does the water taxi depart for the cave tubing and Altun Ha from Caye Caulker tour?
The water taxi departs from the San Pedro Belize Express terminal on Caye Caulker at 7:30 AM. This early departure is necessary to give you enough time on the mainland for both Altun Ha and cave tubing and to ensure you return to Belize City in time for the late afternoon water taxi back to Caye Caulker. Your guide meets you at the Belize City terminal upon arrival. Please arrive at the water taxi terminal by 7:00 AM.
UpClose Belize has been running the Cave Tubing and Altun Ha from Caye Caulker tour since 2009. We coordinate your water taxi to the mainland, transfer you in an air-conditioned van, feed you a proper Belizean lunch, and get you home before the last boat. Your guide is not a seasonal hire reading from a script, they are a certified Belizean caving and archaeological enthusiasts who have walked these sites hundreds of times and still love every visit. Everything is included in one transparent price on your Cave Tubing and Altun Ha from Caye Caulker: US$200 per person, tax-inclusive. No water taxi surcharge, no gear rental at the gate, no surprises.
Everything Included in Your Cave Tubing and Altun Ha from Caye Caulker US$200 Tour Price
- What’s Included on your Cave Tubing and Altun Ha from Caye Caulker – No Surprises at Any Point in the Day
- Round-trip water taxi transfer: Caye Caulker ↔ Belize City (Belize Express)
- Air-conditioned van transport: Belize City to Altun Ha and onward to Nohoch Che’en Archaeological Reserve
- Certified, licensed UpClose Belize guide: with you for the entire day
- Guided walking tour: Altun Ha Archaeological Reserve — Temple of the Green Tomb, Temple of the Masonry Altars, and surrounding plazas
- Altun Ha National Park entry fees: fully covered
- Cave tubing equipment: inflatable tube, headlamp, and life vest — all provided
- Nohoch Che’en Archaeological Reserve entry fees: fully covered
- Traditional Belizean lunch with beverage: delicious!
- Purified water throughout the day
- All Belize government taxes (GST 12.5%): price shown is price you pay
More Caye Caulker Adventures with UpClose Belize
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