Jungle Horseback Riding and Cave Tubing from Belize City – blissful!
Experience Belizean adventure bliss by combining a scenic jungle trek on horseback with a refreshing drift through the ancient crystal caves of the Nohoch Che’en Archaeological Reserve.
Meander on gentle and well-trained horse through the fields, across the creek, and up into the jungle! Then head over for a refreshing cave tubing experience at Nohoch Che’en Reserve – Belize’s largest river cave system! This Jungle Horseback Riding and Cave Tubing from Belize City is a combo tour you should not miss – beginner riders, kids, and seniors are all welcome!
What Makes This Tour Unforgettable
The Horseback Ride Guests Talk About Long After They Leave Belize This is not a resort stable or a tourist paddock. Green Acres Ranch sits deep along the Hummingbird Highway as a working Belizean farm where the trails cross creek beds, wind through cohune palm groves, and disappear into jungle canopy.
Then the Caves Change Everything Nohoch Che’en cave tubing is already one of Belize’s most beloved experiences. Paired after the ride and sun-warmed from the trail, stepping into the cool underground river creates an extraordinary contrast. Ancient limestone chambers, complete darkness, your headlamp and the sound of the river carrying you through.
Built for Everyone First-time riders and seasoned equestrians. Families with young children and travellers of all ages. The horses are gentle, the float is spectacular, and the pace is always yours. The Jungle Horseback Riding and Cave Tubing from Belize City is next on your bucket list!
Tour At a Glance for Jungle Horseback Riding and Cave Tubing from Belize City
| TOUR DETAILS | WHAT TO EXPECT |
| What time does the tour depart? | 8:00 AM front door pickup in Belize City, including air and water taxi terminals |
| How long is the tour? | 7 Hours including 1 hour to 2 hours on your horse |
| What should I wear? | T-shirt, long pants, or capris are preferred. Closed shoes protect the toes in the jungle. Sunshades, cap, sunblock, bug repellent, personal water bottle Water shoes and/or swim shirt come in handy but are not mandatory Wear or pack a swimsuit and bring a towel and dry clothes for a comfortable ride back. A plastic bag comes in handy for wet clothes and flip flops for dry feet |
| What is included? | Meet & greet and tour pickup & drop off Round-trip air-conditioned tour transfers Licensed, professionally guided horseback adventure tour Equestrian helmets available at the Ranch Park entry fee to Nohoch Che’en Reserve Tour safety gear for cave tubing Licensed, professionally guided cave tubing tour Local Belizean lunch of rice and beans and a beverage |
| What is not included? | Snacks, lunch, alcoholic beverages – but we can make a stop Gratuties (optional, at your discretion) Water shoe or phone pouch rentals are available from cash-only vendors (US$5 – US$10) |
| How difficult is this tour? | Easy to Moderate (horseback riding and walking over varied terrain, floating and paddling on an inner tube) |
| Is there a weight limit? | Yes, there is a maximum weight of 230 pounds – riders over 200 pounds should provide weight and height information |
| Can I book as a solo traveller? | Yes, solo travelers are welcome to join in on the Jungle Horseback Riding and Cave Tubing from Belize City |
| What is the minimum group size? | The tour rate of US$155 per person is based on a final group size of 4 persons. There is no surcharge when joining an existing tour. |
Your Horseback and Cave Tubing from Belize City Itinerary
8:00 AM — Pickup in Belize City
Your UpClose Belize guide arrives at the front door of your accommodation anywhere in Belize City. If you are arriving from the islands — San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, St. George’s Caye, Shaka Caye, or any of the surrounding cayes — your guide meets you directly at the water taxi terminal. No scrambling for transport, no confusion about where to go. Load into our air-conditioned vehicle and the adventure begins.
8:00 AM — The Drive to Green Acres Ranch
The 90-minute drive south along the Hummingbird Highway is one of the most scenic road journeys in Belize. You leave the old colonial streets of Belize City behind and enter the lush citrus and tropical jungle corridor of the Cayo and Stann Creek districts. Your guide covers the day’s itinerary along the way : the history of the ranch, what to expect on the trail, and what to look for in the jungle.
9:30 AM — Welcome to Green Acres Ranch
Arrive at Green Acres Ranch on the Hummingbird Highway — a working Belizean farm nestled in the foothills of the Maya Mountains. Your wrangler introduces you to your horse, matched to your riding experience and comfort level. Whether you have ridden before or this is your first time in the saddle, the horses at Green Acres are calm, well-trained, and trail-experienced. Your wrangler covers the basics including posture, steering, and pace before leading you out onto the trail.
9:45 AM — Into the Jungle on Horseback
The trail begins in open pasture before descending into dense jungle canopy within the first few minutes of riding. Over the next 90 minutes you cross shallow creek beds, wind through cohune palm groves, and navigate ridge lines with sweeping views across the surrounding jungle. Your wrangler rides alongside and reads the jungle as you go. This is not a nose-to-tail plod on a groomed resort trail. This is a genuine jungle ride through working Belizean countryside. Take your time and absorb it.
11:15 AM — Depart for Nohoch Che’en
As your continue on your Jungle Horseback Riding and Cave Tubing from Belize City tour experience, you will now reboard the vehicle for the short transfer to the Nohoch Che’en Archaeological Reserve, home of Belize’s famous cave tubing experience. The drive takes approximately 60 minutes, taking you deeper into the limestone hill country of central Belize.
12:15 PM — Arrive at Nohoch Che’en and Gear Up
Arrive at the reserve and collect your cave tubing equipment — inflatable inner tube, headlamp, and life vest. Your guide delivers a safety briefing and river orientation. The name Nohoch Che’en comes from the Yucatec Maya language meaning “Big Snake Well” which is a reference to the serpentine path the Caves Branch River takes through the limestone. You are about to follow that same path.
12:45 PM — The Jungle Hike to the River
Follow your guide on a 30 minute walk through old-growth tropical jungle to the Caves Branch River launch point. The trail starts with a shallow river crossing and then levels out, mostly flat and well-shaded. Your guide identifies trees, birds, and insects along the way. Howler monkeys are frequently heard in the canopy above the trail. Iguanas sun themselves on the rocks near the river bank. By the time you reach the launch point you are already deep inside one of Belize’s most intact jungle corridors.
1:15 PM — Into the Caves of Xibalba on your Jungle Horseback Riding and Cave Tubing from Belize City
Step into the Caves Branch River and ease into your tube. The temperature drop is immediate and welcome after the jungle heat. Your headlamp illuminates an underground world that the ancient Maya regarded as the entrance to Xibalba, the sacred underworld. Cathedral-high ceilings rise above you. Stalactite formations hang in clusters built over hundreds of thousands of years.Your guide leads the float and narrates the geology, the Maya cosmology, and the cave’s ancient history as you drift along. There are opportunities to swim in the deeper pools between cave sections. You emerge from the final cave into open jungle, sunlight returning slowly as the river carries you toward the take-out point where you first crossed the river.
2:15 PM — Sit Down Lunch at the Cave Park
After the cave float, enjoy a proper sit-down Belizean lunch at one of the restaurants at the Nohoch Che’en cave park. Rice and beans, stewed chicken or fish, fresh salad, ripe plantain, and a cold local beverage. This is not a packaged box lunch eaten on a picnic bench but a real Belizean traditional lunch at a proper table. Take your time. Most guests say this is one of the most satisfying moments of the day, sun-warmed, cave-cooled, and well-earned!
3:15 PM — Return to Belize City
Reboard the vehicle for the return journey to Belize City by approximately 4:45 to 5:00 PM. Your guide drops you at your hotel front door or at the terminal for guests returning to the islands. Your Jungle Horseback Riding and Cave Tubing from Belize City tour is now at an, but with memories to last a lifetime!
FAQ for Jungle Horseback Riding and Cave Tubing from Belize City
Is the horseback ride suitable for complete beginners?
Yes — no prior riding experience is needed. The horses at Green Acres Ranch are specifically selected for trail riding with guests of all abilities. Your wrangler introduces you to your horse before the ride begins, covers the basics of posture and steering, and rides alongside your group. Children, seniors, and first-time riders complete this tour successfully every day. If you have any specific concerns about your fitness or mobility, contact us before booking and we will advise honestly.
Can children do the horseback riding and cave tubing tour?
Yes — this is one of the most family-friendly tours UpClose Belize offers. Children take to the horses naturally and the cave tubing float is calm and gentle with life vests provided throughout. Equestrian helmets are available at the ranch for younger riders. Children must be at least 40 inches to meet the requirement for cave tubing. If you are travelling with younger children please contact us so we can advise based on their age and size.
What happens if I am close to the 230-pound weight limit?
Guests between 200 and 230 pounds are welcome on the tour. We simply ask that you provide your weight and height information at booking so we can ensure the right horse is assigned to you. This is about comfort and safety for both rider and horse, not a barrier to participation. Guests over 230 pounds are unable to ride but are warmly welcome to enjoy the ranch and can join the cave tubing portion of the tour. Contact us directly to discuss options.
Is the cave tubing section safe for non-swimmers?
Yes. The cave tubing float at Nohoch Che'en does not require swimming ability. All participants wear a life vest throughout the experience and the inner tube provides full buoyancy. Your guide leads the float and maintains visual contact with everyone in the group at all times. The only physical requirement for cave tubing is the 30-minute jungle hike to the river launch point, which involves wading through the stream no deeper than knee height.
Is it easy to combine horseback riding and cave tubing in one day?
Both experiences happen on the same day in sequence. Your guide picks you up in Belize City at 8:00 AM and transfers you directly to Green Acres Ranch on the Hummingbird Highway for the 90-minute horseback ride. After the ride you transfer to the nearby Nohoch Che'en Archaeological Reserve for the cave tubing experience and a sit-down Belizean lunch. The full day runs approximately 7 hours and you are returned to your Belize City accommodation or terminal. A complete and awesome experience in one day!
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