Belize Altun Ha Mayan Ruins, Sightseeing, and Cave Tubing Excursion

Description

• Round-trip transportation from your Belize cruise tender pier!
• Air-conditioned, fully licensed, and insured transportation!
• English-speaking certified Belize shore excursion guide!
• Entrance fees to Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and Cave Tubing Park!
• Professional river tubes, headlamps, and life jackets!
• National Belize River Tubing Park fees!
• Admire 3 cave systems (a dry cave and 2 wet caves)!
• Typical Belizean lunch!
• Complimentary cold bottled water!
• Scenic sightseeing!
• Car seats are available upon request at no extra cost!

When your cruise stops in Belize, you can learn more about the ancient Mayan culture at the ruins of Altun Ha. You'll also have a chance to see the Mayan underworld as you float through the caves of Nohoch Che'en. A typical Belizean lunch is included to top off the day!

You'll meet your local shore excursion guide outside your Belize cruise tender terminal and after check-in, will be off in air-conditioned comfort to the caves of Nohoch Che' en and the Mayan ruins of Altun Ha (in Rockstone Pond Village). The order may be switched depending on the time and weather conditions.

As you pass through Belize City you'll learn about its history and culture. In the countryside, you will enjoy scenic sightseeing some of the highlights along the way! The drive to the caves is about 40 minutes through lush rain forests and swampy plains and several rural communities. You'll then arrive at the caves at Nohoch Che'en Archaeological Park. Here you'll participate in the most popular activity in Belize, cave tubing. You'll be joining a highly qualified operation and, after using the facilities, the guides will go over the safety instructions and information and give you your headlamp.

Your shore excursion guide will then lead you on a 25-minute walk to the cave entrance. These caves were considered to be the entrances to the underworld by the ancient Mayans. You'll be able to see the amazing crystal formations that are over 5,000,000 years old. These caves are untouched and of great significance to the Mayans. You'll float past mica-studded stalactites (icicle-like formations on the ceilings made by water seeping down), and stalagmites (inverted icicle-like formations growing up from the ground made by minerals being deposited from dripping water). Float along the underground river through 3 caves and breaks in the ceiling that allows the light to filter through from the jungle above. Feel the awe of the Mayans in this sacred place.

After your cave adventure, you'll be treated to a typical Belizean lunch of rice and beans cooked in coconut milk, stewed chicken, fried plantains, and coleslaw with a beverage of water (either sit down or to go depending on time). Then it is off to Altun Ha, you can relax for about 40 minutes while you get to this amazing Mayan site. Upon arrival, you'll have some free time to use the facilities before walking to the ancient city.

The Mayan ceremonial and trading center of Altun Ha sits in the lush green jungle in the northern part of Belize. This city housed a culture rich in social rituals, mathematics, and astrology and was ruled by royal priests for many centuries. The site is about 25 square miles in size and has over 500 structures. It dates back to 250 BC but was only recently discovered in 1963 by the amateur archaeologist Hal Ball as he flew over the area.

Some years later, as Dr. David Pendergast of the Royal Ontario Museum and his team were excavating, a tomb of a priest in the Temple of the Masonry Altars was discovered. In it was a nine-and-three-quarter pound jade carving of the Sun God, Kinich Ahau. This is the largest piece of jade sculpture ever discovered and the find is so important it's now housed in the Central Bank of Belize and only brought to the museum for special events. If the weather cooperates you can still climb to the top of the main temples for spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding jungles. Let your imagination take you back to ancient times in this magical place.

Bring your camera to capture your memories of this safe and awe-inspiring excursion. At the end of your Belize shore excursion, your transportation will get you back to your Belize cruise ship tender dock in Belize City (about an hour away) in plenty of time to catch your tender back to the ship.

What is included?

• Round-trip transportation from your Belize cruise tender pier.
• Air-conditioned, fully licensed, and insured transportation.
• English-speaking certified Belize shore excursion guide.
• Entrance fees to Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and Cave Tubing Park.
• Professional river tubes, headlamps, and life jackets.
• National Belize River Tubing Park fees.
• Admire 3 cave systems (a dry cave and 2 wet caves).
• Typical Belizean lunch.
• Complimentary cold bottled water.

Excursion Notes

• Please try to take the first or second tender off the ship to be at the meeting location on time so you do not forfeit your reservation. If there are any time issues, please contact the local operator.
• We suggest you bring sun protection, bug spray, light color comfortable clothing, long pants or cargo shorts/pants and water sports sandals or tennis that can get wet, a waterproof camera, a towel, a change of clothes, cash for tips, additional food or beverages, shopping, etc.
• Changing rooms, fresh water showers, and restrooms are available at the caves.
  
• The sequence of this excursion may change, depending on the hour and conditions, subject to the local operator's decision.
  
• Please note that no tripods or professional movie cameras are allowed inside the ruins. Professional cameras will be charged a $50.00 USD fee at the ruins.
• Departure time is approximate.
  
• Car seats are available upon request at no extra cost.

Where we meet

For the Belize Altun Ha Mayan Ruins, Cave Tubing, and Sightseeing Excursion, you will meet outside your Belize cruise tender terminal, all necessary details will be printed on your Electronic Shore Excursion Ticket.

Excursion Restrictions

• This excursion is not allowed for guests with limited mobility, asthma, epilepsy, and women during pregnancy.
• The minimum height for cave tubing is 40in (101cm).
• Maximum weight per guest is 360lbs (163Kg).
• The minimum participation age is 3 years old in addition to the minimum age.
• A 25-minute rainforest walk is involved in order to get to the caves. All guests must be able to walk on uneven surfaces.

Excursion FAQ

Cancellation

• Your ship arrives into port late and you cannot make it in time to the meeting location (we will verify with the tour operator).
• Your ship skips/misses the port.
• Weather conditions or equipment failure prevents the operator from running the excursion.
• A medical problem prevents you from safely participating in the excursion (we will verify with the excursion operator and the guest may send doctor's note). This applies to individuals only and not the remainder of the group.
  
• Cancellations/deposit refund requests that do not comply with the above may not be subject to refund.
• Refunds may be subject to a service charge fee as determined by the payment processor, please refer to Terms and Conditions for more information.