Trip Report Belize: Aerial Trek and River Tubing
April 21
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
$99 per person with 20% deposit in advance at belizecruiseexcursions.com
Pick-up and meeting point at the pier.
Today is all about leaving the ship as quickly as possible — we are being tendered again. The cruise ships anchor about a kilometer off the coast, as the shallow coastal areas with their magnificent coral reefs are not navigable for large vessels.
The crossing takes about 20 minutes, so we don't set foot on the mainland until 9:30 a.m. Add to that the one-hour time difference from the ship. Right in the harbor we find the office of Belize X-Stream Cave Tubing & Canopy Zip Line Island Marketing Ltd. We had booked the tour in advance online — saving around €30 per person compared to booking through the ship.
In this case, make absolutely sure you have enough time available, as travel times are about one hour each way.
Cave Tubing and Aerial Trek
After an hour's drive in a minivan we reach the parking area in the rainforest.
We are immediately kitted out with headlamps and rubber tubes before marching about 20 minutes through the jungle, crossing the river several times — the same river we are about to float down.
Once we reach the entry point at the enormous cave system, the tubes are lashed together and the fun begins. Slowly we drift into the wide, cavernous entrance — an incredible feeling washes over us. Every now and then our headlamps pick out bats clinging to the ceiling or hunting for food.
The relaxing ride lasts a good hour during the dry season, when the river is at low water as it is now in spring.
Back at the parking area a light snack of fruit and drinks awaits us before we head on to the Zip Line Adventure (canopy tour). Across eight platforms we reach the steel cables, along which we glide through the jungle canopy over the forest floor below. Some of the climbs up to the platforms are short but steep. Absolutely brilliant fun — and it works up quite a sweat.
Lamanai Tour in Belize
The bus ride from the harbor to the boat landing on the New River takes about 1 hour. After an approximately 1.5-hour speedboat ride with wildlife spotting along the New River through the Belizean rainforest, you reach the temple complex of Lamanai. The Maya city was founded as early as 1500 BC and is one of the longest continuously inhabited Maya cities (approximately 3,000 years). Lamanai was still occupied when the Spanish arrived in the 16th century. In the Maya language, Lamanai roughly translates as "submerged crocodile".
The visit to the Lamanai temple complex lasts about 1.5 hours. Along the jungle trail you can see and hear howler monkeys. There are 4 different temples to explore; the tallest can be climbed with the help of a rope and rewards you with a breathtaking view — all the way to Guatemala on a clear day. The ascent is steep but easily manageable.
All in all, a very worthwhile excursion!
