We are arriving on the 9th, staying north of SP at Belizean Shores. Is a cave tubing trip a good thing to do from there, or is it too far/long a trip? If do-able, which outfit is best to go with? And, will just water shoes do, or do you need something more? Thanks for any help ....

We went in May with Seaduced. Elito and his operation are excellent. They pick you up at your hotel dock or one nearby if yours doesn't have one. It's a long day, but alot of fun and well worth the trip.

We wore Tevas and they were perfect. Water shoes would probably work, too. You'll be spending quite a bit of time in the water but you'll also be spending time in a boat, on a bus and possibly the Belize Zoo.

Thanks very much for the info ... forgot to ask about cost of this trip?

I think it was $140 per person--something like that. They provided breakfast, lunch and beverages. It was really a great trip, I highly recommend it.

One suggestion if you go to the Belize Zoo, buy some water from the vending machine (BZE$1 per bottle) just inside the entrance to take with you on the tour...it gets hot and you'll start to get dehydrated. If you have any more questions about cave tubing or AC, you can email me at sgray@thoughtworks.com.

Cave tubing is a must if you have not gone before. We had a blast! Suggs: Bring a cooler to float along side of ya!

Thanks for the tips ... I think we'll try it!

I agree with Sammie, who was on the same tour as I went on in May. Well worth the money and time. Jaguar Paw Resort is beautiful (where they take you for lunch) and cave tubing was so much fun. The water level was very low then and you have to watch your butt, but it might be a lot higher now. Have a great time!

Water shoes are definite DON'T! Hiking to the river in them was a major pain! Go with the Teva's. Learn from our mistake! Have a blast. . .you will never forget it!

Check out my Trip Report (Part 1) from April 13th. I added a lot of info on the cave tubing and what to wear and such. We went with SeaDuced and had an incredible time!

Andrea in Atlanta
Back to Belize May 2003....!

What a great trip report, I read both parts... Only 6 days to go!!!

What are Tevas?

Thanks Stevie. I would like to know what they are too. Are they simular to water shoes, or flip flops? I would like to know to make our trip as comfortable and stress free as possible.

I had this same question when I first started looking at these message boards earlier this summer. Tevas are a brand on sandals, and there are a number of other brands that are similar. I think the best type to wear in the water are those made of foam, nylon web and velcro. I am not a sandal person but I bought a pair, not Tevas, and they are very comfortable and nice to wear in the water. They are open toe so your feet will get banged around if you are not careful.

SCM

Here's a link to show you what Tevas look like. You can find less expensive brands that are similar - but be sure they fit comfortably. http://www.teva.com/Apparel_Detail.asp?dept_id=1&sku=6673&c=original&sc=8

Tevas, IMHO, rock!

i recommend hiking boots for any jungle excursion....

[This message has been edited by Marty (edited 08-03-2002).]

It's a wonderful trip. I agree with Marty on taking hiking boots. They'll get wet, but you'll have ankle support for walking on rocks through riverbeds. Your feet will experience more from the hiking than from the floating.

Sandals & Teva's are good for the island, but take real shoes for the mainland trips - including the ruins.

My two cents.

Loie

[This message has been edited by Loie (edited 08-03-2002).]

agreed- and if I'm not mistaken, Ian won't even let ya go without something substantial....boots dry (eventually)...another reason for Jane's ziplocks.

yep, $5 keeps your own boots dry and puts rentals on your feet....

which work just fine!

Marty .... So, they rent boots huh? I have been debating whether to bring them. Going in 12 days!!! I think we have to do this tubing trip. We tube down the desert "Salt River" her in Arizona, but this sounds a lot different

Sea Jay- thanks for the website. Feel better now that I know what they look like. My fiance has an off brand pair now.

Latonya

Found Tevas today. They seemed expensive so I tried on a less expensive type. My fiance bought the less expensive ones, but because I need arch support I spent the extra money on the Tevas. VERY COMFORTABLE.

Cave tubing .. if you are looking for the best, try Caves Branch's full 7 miles underground trip through the caves branch system. I've never experienced anything like it myself .. last year I went with another tour operator and the trip they took me on was a shadow of the experience Ian gives you. Some operators include the zoo as the cave tubing trip is so short, usually only lasting, at the most, 45 minutes in the river cave. Ian's full 7 mile trip, lasts most of the day and takes you into and outof 6 different caves throughout the entire system rather than just the last cave for 45 minutes .. and yes, safety does come first and he does demand good footwear .. absolutly NO TIVA'S.

Another cave tubing trip he offers is the river cave expedition which combines cave tubing, hiking, climbing, and visiting 2000 year old Mayan ceremonial sites, alter areas, pottery and artifact.

Check it out. The site is www.cavesbranch.com

You'll have a blast.

I got back from AC less than 2 weeks ago and went cave tubing at Caves Branch. It was enjoyable, and I'm glad I did it once, but I don't think I'd do it again, at least not at the same location. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Since you are going in the off-season, the tour companies may have trouble getting enough people to do a trip. They usually require at least 4 or 6. I wasn't sure I was even going to get to go, but at the last minute enough people showed up. I signed up through Tanisha, but ended up going with Tuff Enuff. You have to be a little flexible.

Try to avoid days when the cruise ships are in Belize City - Tuesday and Wednesday. The parking lot near the tubing area was jammed with busses. Fortunately we got there a little late and the cruisers were finishing up.

The boat and van trip are each over an hour each way, and you really don't get to tube very long -- maybe an hour. After tubing, we stopped for lunch and stopped at the Zoo.

Hello to all the great people who are supporters of "Caves Branch".

This is Ian Anderson of "Caves Branch" and this is my first post on this site.

I have been reading with pride for a long time on how so many have enjoyed your stay with us over the years but I never felt right about making self serving comments until now.

To: BrianH .. you did not go cave tubing at Caves Branch. Caves Branch is not only a specific geological location noted on all maps of belize, but also the registered name of my business. I am located at Caves Branch and the name of my business is Caves Branch. You went cave tubing on the caves branch river, but not with nor at Caves Branch.

At Caves Branch, we pride ourselves on small and intimate groups of guests on each trip. very seldom ever more than 6 guests per trip or guide. We do not service cruise ships for the very reason you mentioned .. we do not believe in running a circus.

None of our trips are an hour long. All of our trips average 6 - 7 hours in length.

We do not include the zoo on any trips as a time filler as we spend "all day" on all expeditions we offer, not just one hour as you did on your trip.

For future reference, even though a tour operator or travel agent offers Cave tubing at Caves Branch .. unless your reservation is with our company, you will not be coming to "Caves Branch", nor will you be receiving the best that is available.

I tend to get a bit testy of others trying to make sales by using our name and reputation to promote tour sales that are, in my opinion and obviously the opinion of BrianH .. substandard and not worth the money paid.

Sub quality cave tubing trips are being offered all the time by promoting them as Caves Branch trips. Why .. because tour operators use the reputation of established business but provide below standard guiding personnel and equipment as well as only offering a very short service, as brianH said .. a one hour trip.

If BrianH had been on a caves branch trip, he would have inner tubed through the "full" 7 miles of Caves Branch river caves entering and exiting 6 different caves on the system and would have been rewarded with some of the most spectacular sights available in Belize.

Brian, I certainly understand what you have said and I empathize with your comment of not wanting to do the trip again ..

But if you had critisized an actual Caves Branch trip, I would have remained silent on this board as it is your right to criticize your experience, but I could not stop from commenting as your comments were unjustifiabley directed.

A great concern that I have in Belize tourism, is that although every tom, dick and harry are now starting cave tours in Belize, even taxi drivers, the Belize Tourist Board has not set into effect any minimum training or licensing standard for cave guiding. Only Caves Branch has taken it upon itself to train guides that are certified in Cave and wilderness Rescue, are all founding members of the Belize cave and wilderness rescue team and are all certified medics under Wilderness first aid , advanced medic training program, who must be re certified by a US. licensed instructors twice each year in order to maintain their employment at Caves Branch. There are no other "cave guides" in Belize that have this type of training ..
But there are many unqualified guides that are taking tourists into caves.

Marty, sorry for the length of my comment.

I hope that all of you will continue to support Caves Branch as you have in the past.

Thank you for your time and patience.

Sincerely, Ian Anderson of "Caves Branch".

Here, here.

During our trip with Cave's Branch we were most impressed with our guide's knowledge on how to stay safe during our 6 hour trek. He had a dry sack with first aid supplies, extra batteries, insect repellent and more. We knew well in advance of our arrival that we would be getting wet and that we would be required to wear hiking boots. We brought the appropriate socks and clothing from home. Thanks for the "head's up".

Additionally, the guide was very good at telling us about the Maya and why the caves were such an important part of their lives and ceremony. It was incredibly humbling to view the amazing artifacts and listen to "the voices" of the river. More than anything, the trip was not about tubing; it was about history, culture and presence. Rather than following a guide that talked about nothing, we were treated to a guide that made us feel honored to be in the caves.

This is one of the best mainland tours you'll have the pleasure of remembering. I highly recommend it. Also check out their accommodations. Top notch!

Loie

[This message has been edited by Loie (edited 08-05-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Loie (edited 08-05-2002).]

Thank you Lori for your kind comments, but just not to get anyone confused, The trip you are speaking of is the "river cave expedition", different from the "river of caves" tube float.

Thank you again, Ian

One remark on this paragraph........

"I tend to get a bit testy of others trying to make sales by using our name and reputation to promote tour sales that are, in my opinion and obviously the opinion of BrianH .. substandard and not worth the money paid."


When others use the name Caves Branch to promote their trip(s) - they are NOT necessarily using your name to promote their trip. They are more likely using the name of the River and cave system to do so. Your testiness is due to you choosing the name that - as you say - is marked on all official maps for your business. It was labelled that way on maps because that is what Belizeans have historically called the River. It is the "caves' branch" (ie tributary )of the Sibun River. Of course, you are open to use any name you like. You also have to accept the ramifications of it. (I would probably choose the same name if it was my business!)

Another clarification - just because a trip is shorter - even a seventh shorter, does not make it second rate. A shorter trip will appeal for many reasons besides being a cruise ship client with 2 hours or less to burn.


One more comment - though I have never taken one of Ian's trip, I expect it to be good. It is easy to make that trip good (a comment to the beauty of the region, not a back handed compliment to Ian. I have also met Ian several times, as far back as '91 and expect that he would remember me. I know the cave system personally - have gone through it many times for different reasons.



[This message has been edited by belizeanblue (edited 08-06-2002).]

I'm sorry my original post sounded negative toward cave tubing, it wasn't meant to be that way. I didn't intend to steer people away from it. As I said, I did enjoy the trip and am glad I did it. The only thing I didn't like about it was the cruise ship traffic (which, by the way, was also present at Altun Ha the next day). This was my first trip to Belize, and I chose this particular cave tubing trip because of the variety it offered: a nice boat ride, the opportunity to see Belize City and the surrounding countryside, a short rainforest hike, and finally the cave tubing itself. A Belizean lunch of beans and rice, and the side trip to the Zoo were added bonuses. When I said I wouldn't do this trip again in the same area, I meant not doing the exact same trip -- starting at the same place and going down the same stretch of river. It's a long day when coming from AC, and $140 is alot to spend doing the exact same thing with only about an hour of actual tubing. The next time I'm in Belize, I'd certainly do one of the longer trips like those offered by Ian.

For the record, the tour company I used did not refer to the trip as "cave tubing at Caves Branch". In the parking lot at the trailhead, there is a sign which refers to the area as "Caves Branch Archeological Reserve". That is why I referred to it as such.

Ian, welcome, and its an honor to have you post. the longer the better....

thanks...

Thank you Marty .. a pleasure to be here now that I have internet conection from the jungle.

To BelizeanBlue .. Hi .. perhaps I would know you if I knew who you were, however, I don't. I do disagree with your hypothesis. If you would like to visit, I could show you an average of 6 emails I receive each month from tourists to belize who had been sold an advertised "caves brach" adventure, who write to me complaining how poor both the trip and the guiding was an demanding a refund from me. In fact, they were never with us .. only another tour guide or operator selling "caves branch" trips.

Look around the country right now and see how many are advertising Jaguar Paw cave tubing. The only thing about Jaguar Paw about some of these promoted trips is usually that they are in the vacinity of Jaguar Paw.

There is no jaguar paw on the maps and many of these promoted cave trips are not Jaguar Paw trips.

A now defunct belizean tour operator spent 5 years advertising "jaguar Paw" cave tubing but not one of his trips was a "jaguar paw" operated trip because Jaguar Paw had a reputation of providing fine cave tubing trips. This former tour operator used that reputation to promote their own business.

Like our operation, Jaguar Paw received complaint after complaint about the quality of these trips, as the tourist were led to believe that it was a "Jaguar Paw" operated trip. And for the record, Jaguar Paw, as do some others, does provide a first class trip.

Unfortunately there are allot .. not all, but allot of people in belize (note: I am not saying Belizeans) that believe the easiest and fastest way to make a buck is to falsly promote names that are known and have a good reputation but not use those advertised operations to perform the trip. End result .. allot of times the clients are disatisfied and blame the operation whose name was used.

You are right .. shorter does not mean less quality and I appologize for that .. however .. we do receive allot of correspondance from people who were led to believe that they were going on a Caves Branch trip, when in fact, they were not .. and these people do complain of the very limited time they spent on their trip. Who criticize us, when no criticism is due.

You may hypothosize all you like but I am the one stuck applogizing for the mis representation of others on a regular basis.

If I have to appologize to tourists in Belize, I would rather appologize for something that 'I' am responsible for .. and I do from time to time. No one is perfect.


All the best to you Blue, and once again Marty, thank you.

Ian.

Ian,

We will be in Belize in June 2003 for 2 weeks. I want to do your Caves Branch cave tube tour. Can we wear sturdy tennis shoes instead of hiking boots? What do you recommend wearing and taking on the tour?

Thanks!

Hi ScubaDoo,

We do recommend hiking boots as they are best for foot support and tranction. Your safety is our main concern and the best footwear possible is a good place to start. We do, however, allow "well treaded" sneaker on all cave tubing trip as well. However, "well treaded" is the operative word and if your sneakers are well treaded, then no problem. As many have already said above, if you don't want to get your shoes wet, we do rent good quality hiking boots for a nominal cost of $5.00 us per day.

Looking forward to hearing from you. Our direct email address is info@cavesbranch.com

Cheers, Ian.

We're staying at Chaa Creek in late August and would like to do a cave trip with you that combines tubing, Mayan artifacts, exploring, etc. We have a 16 yr old and a 13 yr. old. Would this be the River Cave Expedition? Thanks.

Hi Carol,

The river cave expedition includes cave tubing through this river cave system as well as so much more, Exploration of the river cave itself, climbing through spectacular crystlal formations, millions of years in age, visiting ancient Mayan ceremonial sites, alter ares, pottery , artifact, a bit of floating in the dark, both historical and geological on the caves, how they were formed and how important they were to the basic beliefs of the ancient Maya.

This trip is excellent for kids as there is always activity to keep their attention. The ages of your kids, 16 and 13, are perfect for this trip.

My email is info@cavesbranch.com if you have any other questions.

Looking forward to personally meeting you in a couple of weeks.

All the best, Ian.

Ian, I can understand your POV now that you have expanded. I have sent you an email regarding this matter to your info email listed. The next time I am in the area, I may drop in for a visit.

- oops, Ian says he doesn't know what POV was. I guess I just invented it out of laziness and hoped for the best. Let it be know that I have christened that one and it means: point of view.

[This message has been edited by belizeanblue (edited 08-12-2002).]

BelizeanBlue,

Sorry to have to break it to you...you did not christen the term P.O.V.

Public television (PBS) has a wonderful, long-running, independent documentary series called P.O.V. (point of view). Check your local listings -- in the New York area it airs Tuesdays at 9pm (but not this week -it's pledge drive).

Best,
Effie



[This message has been edited by Effie (edited 08-12-2002).]

yes but do people use it as a message/chat board abbreviation yet? not trying to split hairs but that was all I was referring to. (and we don't get PBS in the UK)

Belizeanblue, yes people do use POV in message boards/chat. I knew exactly what you meant before you edited and explained it.