Cave Tubing? - Ambergris Caye Belize Message Board

I'm planning our trip to belize in two weeks. How important is it to experience cave tubing? It's one of the things that I really wanted to do, but now I'm not so sure it's a 'must'. I assume that seeing the Mayan ruins is a 'must'. We are planning to spend just the first day on the mainland, and the rest of the time on Ambergris Caye.

Thanks for the help!

I loved cave tubing. I did the cave tubing/ariel trek (zip lining) day trip with Jaguar Paw resort as a day trip from Ambergris Caye. It was awesome. They employ very reputable guides and keep the safety of their customers at the forefront of their operations. here is a link to a posting I did about my trip: //ambergriscaye.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/287770/My_blog_entry_for_Fat_Cats.html#Post287770

It's not a "must" but I loved it! Definitely a great way to cool off and enjoy something unique!

loved the zipline but hated the cave tubing, you walk an hour through the rain forest carrying your tube, which was interesting and lovely. You then get in the tube float in the dark in cold water only a couple of inches deep for way to long in my opinion. The ruins were great would do that again.

there are many different cave tubing tours. i prefer the ones where you swim most of the time. dive off underground waterfalls into deep pools. sit in a circle with friends and everyone turns their lights off while sitting in a 4 foot pool of water. sit and chat for awhile. have lunch with battery light under a huge cathedral ceiling hundreds of feet high.

i love the caves.

Wow Marty - that does sound incredible. Which tour is that one? (I guess I should say, "How do I make sure I book the right tour?")

Marty - please share the name of the tour or caves you are referring to. Doesn't the rainfall have something to do with water level and temp? We'll be back on AC in May and want to do a day trip this time. Thought about cave tube and ruins.
Thanks for sharing.

Suecate is talking about Jaguar Paw and if like her you don't want to be wet try Barton Creek Cave, this trip is done in a canoe and is a gorgeous trip.

Actun Tunichil Muknal
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sudden large amounts of rain can make the caves impassible, but doesn't happen much. Ian Anderson does some great cave tours out of Caves Branch also

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Great pictures Marty! Is the experience you described in the beginning from Actun Tunichil Muknal? They both look awesome!

Actun Tunichil Muknal or The ATM tour is an unbelievable experience..I have lived in Belize for 7 yrs, also been to Tikal, and all over the Yucatan, this cave was only discovered in the last 20 yrs. You do have to be a bit athletic to enjoy the adventure. We left at 7;30 am and did not get back to San Ignacio until almost 7 pm. this was a bit longer than usual due to members of our group not being in the best shape.....

yes from Actun Tunichil Muknal

How athletic? My parents are also going on the trip. My dad is 64, but in great health. My mom is 54 and had knee surgery a year ago. Would they be ok doing this?

My only concern would be your mom as she had knee surgery.

There is a bit of a walk up and down a trail, if her knee does not bother her for about a 2km walk, then she should be allright.

The water is chilly but it is an experience!

One last small detail, when the guide tells you to pick your butt up, do it immediately, becuase you sometimes go over some big rocks whilst floating on the tubes going downriver. I was helping my wife on our trip and alas hit my tail bone, so it hurt for a few days well..

I would do it again any day!