Pauline

HOW TO BOOK AN EXCURSION
Definitely book a shore excursion through an independent company in Belize, not through the cruise line. The cruise lines charge about $99 to either see 2 caves, or one cave and the river. Our company did 2 caves and then the river for $60! We went through a company I found on this website, and paid a deposit through the internet w/credit card, and paid the balance with cash. At the Terminal in Belize, there were a lot people selling excursions to the Ruins, Cave tubing, and to a Jungle Spa right there, so if you haven’t booked one yet, you still have time.

TENDERING AND ARRIVAL
Our cruise line, Royal Caribbean (and several others) gave priority to people who booked excursions through them so it’s really important to get up early, have a good breakfast, and try to get on the first tender, when it’s not too busy. We got to Belize an hour before our meeting time (9am) and our X-Stream Cave Tubing rep found us. He explained that there were supposed to be 5 other couples from our ship on our tour, but when they didn’t get there by 9:15 we had to start to tour, which is why you have to catch an early tender!

BUMPY TRIP
We met our very very very nice guide, Thomas who emphasized the importance of using the bathrooms in the terminal, as the bathrooms aren’t as nice at our destination. He took us to his air-conditioned van for our one-hour trip to the jungle/rainforest. The last 10-15 min of the ride was bumpy, but it wasn’t really that bad compared to the Belt Pkwy in through Brooklyn. J

THE TRAIL
Along the trail, Thomas pointed out so many things! We saw the tree where Viagra is derived from (makes you want to donate money to help save the rainforest!), a poisonous snake, a tarantula, termites, and lots of other cool trees…I don’t want to give away too much info! This is another reason to book through an independent company…smaller groups. A couple we met that did it through the ship said they didn’t hear anything the tour guide said, with 50 other people on the trail. The trail was muddy, so don’t be afraid to get dirty! There’s some cliffs, steep stairs, but as long as you’re careful, you’ll be fine. Truthfully, I was pretty tired by the end of the trail, since I was the one waking everyone up to get on the first tender, so be prepared for that.

THE CAVES
The first cave was great. Not too many rapids, and I just paddled across. It was dark, but you have a little light with you, so it’s really not bad. The second cave had a lot more to offer; an indoor waterfall, rock formations that looked like people, faces, things like that, and our guide explained what people used to do in certain parts of the cave (ex, this is where women gave birth.) There were areas of the cave where you might get pulled into close to the wall, and our guide explained when to go feet first and backstroke away. Unfortunately, I was the one who would panic when I would start getting sucked away and got sucked away at every location he warned us about. When I wasn’t freaking out, I had a nice time, and felt really luck to be there. And by the way, when your guide says “BUTTS UP!” you should follow, or you get a nice bruise to take home, like me.

THE RIVER
I was so happy to get out of the caves, not because of the dark, but mostly because I was getting sucked in, and I don’t like losing control. But the same thing happens a few times in the river, but by then, I was getting the hang of it. It was really nice.
At the end of our trip, we went to a little restaurant highly recommended by our guide. We had a big piece of barbequed chicken (best bbq I’ve ever had, and I’m from NYC), some salad, beans, rice, a slice of garlic bread, juice, and a big banana caramel muffin, all for $5!

OVERALL
I wouldn’t do this again; I was really unhappy 60% of the time, because I was either freaking out or really tired, but I think it’s an experience everyone should have. It’s so much fun, the scenery was beautiful and Thomas, our guide was extraordinarily patient, informative, and accommodating. And be prepared to be a little sore the next day from paddling, not that the paddling is hard, but you will use muscles that you don’t usually use, so you get a little sore. And bring a waterproof camera.

TIPS:
1. Bring a waterproof camera
2. BUTTS UP-do it!
3. Don’t be afraid of mud
4. Know the difference between a backstroke and a breaststroke
5. Use the bathroom in the terminal

Check out over 12 different shore excursions in Belize
Belize Shore Excursions

Ask a Question About a Caribbean Port