Xunantunich & Cave Tubing Day Trip from San Ignacio
Overview
Available languages
9 hours
Mobile ticket
Travel back in time and experience what life was like in the city of Xunantunich, one of Belize’s most popular Mayan sites. This tour from San Ignacio takes you to San Jose Succotz, a Maya-Mestizo village located close to the Western Border and delivers you on an old-fashioned, hand-cranked ferryboat to the magnificent ruins deep in the Belizean rainforest. Admire astronomical carvings at El Castillo (The Castle) and sweeping views of the Belize River Valley and neighboring Melchor de Mencos, Guatemala once you’ve climbed the steep pyramid steps to the top! Hotel pickup and drop-off within San Ignacio Town are included.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
It is recommended you wear comfortable shoes and clothing
Please note: a minimum of 2 passengers is required in order for this tour to operate. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
Bring reusable water bottle
What To Expect
Xunantunich
Travel back in time and experience what life was like in the city of Xunantunich, one of Belize’s most popular Mayan sites. This tour from San Ignacio takes you to San Jose Succotz, a Maya-Mestizo village located close to the Western Border and delivers you on an old-fashioned, hand-cranked ferryboat to the magnificent ruins deep in the Belizean rainforest. Admire astronomical carvings at El Castillo (The Castle) and sweeping views of the Belize River Valley and neighboring Melchor de Mencos, Guatemala once you’ve climbed the steep pyramid steps to the top! Hotel pickup and drop-off within San Ignacio Town are included.
Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve
Nohoch Cheʼen, or more commonly known as the caves branch, is a great tour if you’re looking for a relaxing and peaceful day. The expedition starts by gearing up with life jackets and safety tips. The tour then continues with a hike through a forest trail, at which point the group is given the option to shorten or extend the hike to get a longer viewing of the caves and a longer ride down the river, since it’s a large cave system. Along the trail, you sometimes encounter wildlife such as birds like the crested quetzal bird and other small creatures like the “lone coati” or coatimundi, small scavengers looking for nuts or fruits to eat. As the hike concludes, it's time to get into the water. Everyone is placed in their tubes and guided down the river and through caves. While in the cave, there are plenty of beautiful rock formations to view, and the river also provides some exciting rapids to pass through on the tubes.
Options
Xunantunich & Cave Tubing
Shared Tour Duration: 9 hours snack, water, Juice, Lunch, Air Condition Pickup included
Xunantunich Maya Site only
Xunantunich Tour only Shared Tour Duration: 4 hours Snacks: Chips with Salsa, juice, and Water Xunantunich Maya Site only Air condition Vehicle Pickup included
What‘s Included
Local guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off from within San Ignacio Town limits
Water- Bring along reusable water bottles
Gratuities
Hotel pick up and Drop off outside San Ignacio Town limits
Pickup points
Cassia Hill Resort Belize
68 Mls George Price Highway San Ignacio Belize
Maya Mountain Lodge
3/4 Mile Cristo Rey Road, San Ignacio Belize
The Log Cab-Inn
Mile 68 Western Highway, San Ignacio Belize
San Ignacio Resort Hotel
18 Buena Vista St San Ignacio Belize
Ka'ana Resort
Mile 69 1/4 George Price Highway San Ignacio Belize
Midas Belize
Branch Mouth Road, San Ignacio Belize
Cahal Pech Village Resort
Western Highway, Cahal Pech Hill San Ignacio Belize
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
35 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Outstanding Service and Value for Money.
John Schollum,Jun 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was in two parts.We were lucky enough to have Edgar (Speedy) as our guide. What an energetic, knowledgeable, people loving young man. He is passionate about his Mayan Culture and the community he lives in. He was very hard working and attentive to our needs. The tour(s) are very well structured and make a full informative and enjoyable day. The lunch was great and we liked that it had been prepared by a local solo mum - just love this ethos. Edgar set a beautiful picnic table with her very delicious food. The air conditioned vehicle used for the tours was comfortable to travel in, immaculately presented and appropriated for the days activities. The equipment used was excellent. We also enjoyed Edgar's selection of music. The tour was excellent value for money, I highly recommend it.
Best tour guides ever!
Dalyce F,May 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00My grandson and I had the best tour with Marvin and Leo! The history of the Mayans was so interesting. I learned so much. After a delicious lunch we started our trek up the hill for the cave tubing. I'm 75 years old and definitely not in the best of shape, but Leo stayed with me and encouraged me all the way up the hill. Once we got in the water it was everything I had imagined. The water felt great and the terrain was beautiful. Leo pointed out the different birds we saw. We then entered the cave and it was awesome! This was definitely the highlight of my trip to Belize.
Awesome Day!
Lisa G,May 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great tour!!! We had the best tour guide Marvin! He shared so much great information about the Maya ruins, the people and history- really fantastic! Loved the cave tubing!! So much fun and perfect after all of our touring of the ruins! The lunch was delicious! Highly recommend this tour!!!
Beautiful Site, But the Tour Felt Underwhelming
Bonnie R,May 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00The destination itself was beautiful and absolutely worth seeing, but the overall tour experience was not what I had hoped for. After doing a tour with MayaWalk, the bar was honestly set very high, and this one felt much more lackluster by comparison. Our guide seemed frustrated or irritated with me throughout the day, which made it hard to fully relax and enjoy the experience. I do not want this to come across as harsh, but the energy of the guide really does shape the whole day. One suggestion would be for the guide or company to either bring emergency water or clearly tell guests ahead of time exactly how much water to bring, especially when it is extremely hot. That would have made the day feel safer and more comfortable. The experience had beautiful moments, but I left wishing the tour felt more engaging, prepared, and welcoming.
Great Combo Activity
David J,May 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great all-day tour. A good way to experience the “inland” side of Belize. Totally worth it.
Best guide EVER
Ellen M,Apr 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Omg this was so great! Angel was the PERFECT guide: he took his time, showing us things that other guides rushed past. There was a member of our group who struggled with balance so he was always there to hold her hand and help her across certain spots. Finally, he was so well informed: we learned so much about Mayan history as well as modern day Belize. We can't recommend him enough..
This experience was...
Laura L,Apr 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This experience was really nice and I totally recommend. I felt we didn’t really know the planning for the day so here is a big overview: - you will take a bus to Xunantunich (15min drive) and visit the site for about 2h - you will then go on another drive for 1h30 to the caves - once there, you will have lunch (homemade lunch, really nice), be able to change into swimsuits and leave for the caves (be sure to take water shoes and a t shirt that can go into water) - you will walk for about 25min with a tube both in forest and water and then go in the tube once in the cave - the cave tubbing is really nice and relaxing - then you go back to the changing rooms before jumping in the bus for the way back I didnt really know that before doing the tour but don’t forget walking shoes for Xunantunich visit (with sun cream) and water shoes and another t shirt for the cave tubing (shoes that you are confortable walking with and that can go into water). Enjoy !!
The Xuantunich ruins were...
Michael M,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The Xuantunich ruins were amazing and the tubing was very fun. Our guide Edgar was very knowledgeable and kind. Highly recommend.
Incredible Experience!
Autumn L,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an awesome experience! Our guide, Angel, was fun and informative. He went out of his way to make sure everyone on the tour had the best time (even helping one of the other travellers propose <3 ) The lunch was absolutely delicious and the cave tubing exceeded all expectations. Highly recommend :)
Very informative! Would recommend!
Lynn V,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Rudy was a bit late to pick us up, but we've come to embrace the Belizean time. Once the tour at the ruins started we were captivated by Rudy's storytelling. He has a plethora of information to offer about anything and everything related to history, culture, tourism, etc. When we did cave tubing he tied our tubes together so we didn't have to stress about anything and could enjoy the ride. Lunch was included, and it was delicious. There were washrooms and change rooms available so there was no need to worry, though we didn't know that at the time of booking because it wasn't in the listing. Even though it was a full day tour it was so peaceful and relaxing to do both these excursions in one day.
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Operated by Belize Family Adventure