Cave Tubing the Underground Rivers of Belize
Floating Underground
Snorkeling, jungle trekking, scuba-diving, sunbathing :these are the activities that come readily to mind when most people plan a vacation to the tropics of Central America. Just as popular are visits to the bevy of ancient Aztec and Maya cities that afford a rare glimpse into the civilizations of Mesoamerica that once ruled this lush, verdant isthmus. However, there is another opportunity which many who pass through this region often overlook. If you'll be traveling to or near the area, give as second thought to one of the days you have planned an an abandoned city or five-star resort, and think about embarking on an unforgettable journey through the underground rivers of Belize.
Glimpse Into the Past
Tubing through underground caves is an exciting and certainly unique way to travel around some of Belize's most fascinating archeological sites. A long series of interconnected caves dot the interior of the country, accessible through cenotes, or above-ground sinkholes that lead down into these subterranean labyrinths. Even many well-traveled folks familiar with the isthmus of Central America may not have heard of or chanced yet to embark on a tubing journey through the lush, subtropical underground.
Though you can certainly plot your own route, there are a great number of cave-tubing establishments that will rent equipment and provide guidance if you just want to jump into the water head-first. The underground rivers that flow through these caves bring life to the sub-surface as well as to the jungle above; they were used as water sources for drinking and irrigation by the ancient Maya, and as such a great number of ancient artifacts and stoneworks can be glimpsed as you recline in the tepid, gently flowing current.
A Vacation Underground
If you'd rather take the reins in your own hands, information and online reviews of cave-tubing companies and routes are plentiful, and they'll aid you in planning your own unforgettable journey down these Methuselan waterways. Advice from fellow travelers who have first-hand experience remains as invaluable as always, and the online review sites will help you make short work of deciding where to get your equipment from, and where to take it when you're ready to being your trek. In the Cayo District, the Caves branch route has a reputation amongst backpackers for being particularly convenient and fascinating. Located just a short hop from Hummingbird Highway, the Caves Branch route is one of the region's oldest; archaeological evidence suggests that it was used by the Maya empire as transportation thoroughfare nearly 2,000 years ago.
Finding information on the internet before you travel will allow you to verify the responsibility and veracity of the cave-tubing company you eventually patronize, though it should be said that by and large, the tubes given to tourists and trekkers are up to international standards of safety and reliability. Rounding out your list of caving equipment will be a life-vest (safety first) and a caver's light, worn on a band around the forehead, providing illumination in the dark gaps between cenotes where you will truly feel removed from the bustle and worry of life on the surface. The Caves branch trail also features several incredible natural formations, notably Celestial Bird and Vision Serpent, which look remarkably man-made, but were actually created by centuries of limestone deposits dripping down from the caves' surface structure.
An Unforgettable Journey
Anyone thirsting for a little more adventure will be happy to know that some of the cave tubing routes are not merely placid sojourns down gentle rivers. Rapids and fast water are part of some of the more challenging itineraries, and the sensation of bobbing and slipping down these swift passages will be as exciting as the rest of the trip is relaxing. Anyone planning a trip to Latin America should at least give a thought to devoting a day to a cave-tubing trek. It's a rare opportunity to see hidden passages, fascinating wildlife, and ancient ruins all in one go.
Snorkeling, jungle trekking, scuba-diving, sunbathing :these are the activities that come readily to mind when most people plan a vacation to the tropics of Central America. Just as popular are visits to the bevy of ancient Aztec and Maya cities that afford a rare glimpse into the civilizations of Mesoamerica that once ruled this lush, verdant isthmus. However, there is another opportunity which many who pass through this region often overlook. If you'll be traveling to or near the area, give as second thought to one of the days you have planned an an abandoned city or five-star resort, and think about embarking on an unforgettable journey through the underground rivers of Belize.
Glimpse Into the Past
Tubing through underground caves is an exciting and certainly unique way to travel around some of Belize's most fascinating archeological sites. A long series of interconnected caves dot the interior of the country, accessible through cenotes, or above-ground sinkholes that lead down into these subterranean labyrinths. Even many well-traveled folks familiar with the isthmus of Central America may not have heard of or chanced yet to embark on a tubing journey through the lush, subtropical underground.
Though you can certainly plot your own route, there are a great number of cave-tubing establishments that will rent equipment and provide guidance if you just want to jump into the water head-first. The underground rivers that flow through these caves bring life to the sub-surface as well as to the jungle above; they were used as water sources for drinking and irrigation by the ancient Maya, and as such a great number of ancient artifacts and stoneworks can be glimpsed as you recline in the tepid, gently flowing current.
A Vacation Underground
If you'd rather take the reins in your own hands, information and online reviews of cave-tubing companies and routes are plentiful, and they'll aid you in planning your own unforgettable journey down these Methuselan waterways. Advice from fellow travelers who have first-hand experience remains as invaluable as always, and the online review sites will help you make short work of deciding where to get your equipment from, and where to take it when you're ready to being your trek. In the Cayo District, the Caves branch route has a reputation amongst backpackers for being particularly convenient and fascinating. Located just a short hop from Hummingbird Highway, the Caves Branch route is one of the region's oldest; archaeological evidence suggests that it was used by the Maya empire as transportation thoroughfare nearly 2,000 years ago.
Finding information on the internet before you travel will allow you to verify the responsibility and veracity of the cave-tubing company you eventually patronize, though it should be said that by and large, the tubes given to tourists and trekkers are up to international standards of safety and reliability. Rounding out your list of caving equipment will be a life-vest (safety first) and a caver's light, worn on a band around the forehead, providing illumination in the dark gaps between cenotes where you will truly feel removed from the bustle and worry of life on the surface. The Caves branch trail also features several incredible natural formations, notably Celestial Bird and Vision Serpent, which look remarkably man-made, but were actually created by centuries of limestone deposits dripping down from the caves' surface structure.
An Unforgettable Journey
Anyone thirsting for a little more adventure will be happy to know that some of the cave tubing routes are not merely placid sojourns down gentle rivers. Rapids and fast water are part of some of the more challenging itineraries, and the sensation of bobbing and slipping down these swift passages will be as exciting as the rest of the trip is relaxing. Anyone planning a trip to Latin America should at least give a thought to devoting a day to a cave-tubing trek. It's a rare opportunity to see hidden passages, fascinating wildlife, and ancient ruins all in one go.
About the Author:
Duende Tours is a tour operator with a special focus on adventure vacations in Belize, Guatemala and Mexico. See to find out more or go to Belize Adventure Packages.
