Caving

Caving index (click to scroll down):

ACTUN TUNICHIL MUKNAL
with round-trip transfer by domestic flight

Actun Tunichil Muknal "Cave of the Stone Sepulcher" is one of the most impressive caves in the Maya lowland. Located in the heart of the Belizean rainforest, this cave was a sacred place to the prehistoric Maya of Belize, who first began to use the entrance during the early classic period (300-600 A.D.).

It was not until the late terminal classic period (700-900 A.D.) that the Mayas traveled deeper into the cave to conduct their ceremonies. The cave system consists of a series of chambers, ending in a 300 by 50 meter cathedral where sacrificial ceremonies once took place. Here you will be exposed to the individuals sacrificed to the gods of the underworld. Visitors to this cave have the unique opportunity to travel into the Maya past and witness a living museum where the human sacrifices and artifacts can be viewed in their original context.

About the Tour: Visitation to this site is limited to 5 persons per guide. At the end of an exciting drive, you'll trek for 45 minutes though dense jungle in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve and wade across three streams before reaching the cave entrance. At the entrance to the cave you'll be outfitted with the necessary equipment and some swimming will be required. This is a premier, world-class caving and archeology experience that is unexploited and generally restricted to limited visitation.
Departs: 6:00am
Returns: 6:00pm
*Includes transportation from/to Portofino, guide, lunch, bottle water.

CAVE TUBING & BELIZE ZOO
with round-trip transfer by private boat

Your adventure begins after an hour boat ride to Belize City as you head for the wildlife habitat known as The Belize Zoo. The zoo was created as a sanctuary for the country’s indigenous species and is now home for an impressive array of large cats, primates, reptiles and birds. A visit to the zoo gives you the opportunity to see Belize’s amazing wildlife in one location. The adventure continues with a scenic drive up the Western Highway to the Cayo (pronounced Ky-o) District. After lunch make your way along the winding waterway of the Caves Branch River as you tube through the ancient caves once inhabited by the Maya.

Departs: 6:45am
Returns: 5:30-6:00pm
*Includes light breakfast, transportation from/to Portofino, guide, lunch, refreshments.

CAVE TUBING & XUNANTUNICH
with round-trip transfer by private boat

After an hour boat ride to Belize City, your adventure will begin with a scenic drive up the Western Highway to the Cayo (pronounced Ky-o) District. Xunantunich (Maya for “Maiden of the Rock”) sits just inside the Western border of Belize. Before reaching the entrance of this ancient city, your party will board a 19th century hand-cranked ferry which takes you across the Mopan River. The ruins are actually located on one of the highest plateaus in the area and it is possible to climb to the top of “El Castillo”, the largest of the temples at this site. From this vantage point, one gains a panoramic view of the Cayo District and nearby Guatemala.

After lunch you enjoy cave tubing in the Caves Branch River and its winding waterway through the ancient caves once inhabited by the Maya.

Departs: 6:00am (Flight Option)
  6:45am (Boat Option)
Returns: 5:30-6:00pm
*Includes light breakfast, lunch, beverages, guide and transportation from/to Portofino.

CAVE TUBING & ZIPLINING
with round-trip transfer by domestic flight
with round-trip transfer by private boat

After a 15-minute flight or an hour boat ride to Belize City, you will embark on a 1 hour drive via the Western Highway to Caves Branch Outpost, your adventure headquarters for the day. The Outpost is located a few hundred feet from the Caves Branch River and its winding waterway through the ancient caves once inhabited by the Maya. Become a "Zip rider" today as you connect to a series of overhead cables criss-crossing the rainforest canopy. The zipline course features a "beginner's zip run" of only 150 feet. Six other zip runs range in length from 200' to 600' between treetop platforms secured in the canopy of tropical hardwood trees. Intriguing karsts limestone cliffs provide a scenic backdrop as you zip through the rainforest canopy.

Departs: 7:10am (Flight Option)
  6:45am (Boat Option)
Returns: 5:00-6:00pm
*Includes transportation from/to Portofino, guide, lunch, bottle water.

RIVER KAYAKING & HORSEBACK RIDING
with round-trip transfer by domestic flight to Belize City from San Pedro

After a 15-minute flight from San Pedro you will embark on a 1-hour drive via the Western Highway to Caves Branch Outpost, your adventure headquarters for the day. First, climb aboard a 2-man kayak to begin your exploration of the Caves Branch River system. You may sneak up on basking iguanas, see howler monkeys or turtles and view a wide variety of exotic birds. The karst formations are breath-taking. Next, saddle up and explore pristine rain-forests. Ride along the Caves Branch River to “Hell’s gate” a scenic waterfall. Then follow the trails through the forest and across small creeks. The vegetation is lush with an abundance of orchids and bromeliads. Wildlife sightings are fairly common and lots of birds can be spotted. Then rejuvenate with a tasty lunch and cooling beverage at “Canopy Café” at Caves Branch Outpost.

Departs: 7:10am
Returns: 5:00pm
Available: Daily
*Includes transportation from/to Portofino, guided tour, park fee, buffet lunch and bottled water. Age requirement: 12 years or older. Not recommended for non swimmers. A change of clothes, shoes and a towel is recommended.

ZIPLINE & WATERFALL ADVENTURE

Take a flight down the coast to Dangriga in Southern Belize where you will be able to soar above the Mayflower Bocawina National Forest on a 12 platform zipline. It has the longest, fastest and tallest runs in Belize, and allows an up close view of pristine rainforest. After a quick lunch at Mama Noots Restaurant (on-site), take a short jungle hike to cool off at Bocawina Falls. Swim in its refreshing pools or rappel down its face for an even more unbelievable experience. For adrenaline junkies, an optional upgrade of rappelling down Antelope Falls is available on arrival at the tour site. The zipline is the only one currently certified in Belize by the ACCT, and experienced guides will ensure a great experience for every age and skill level.

Depart Portofino @ 6:00am
Flight departs San Pedro at 7:00am and arrives in Dangriga at 8:20am.
Return flight departs Dangriga at 4:45pm via Belize City and arrives in San Pedro at 5:45pm.
Return Boat from San Pedro to Portofino departs @ 6:30pm from Fido’s Dock.