The Caves of Belize
Snorkeling, jungle trekking, scuba-diving, sunbathing :these are the activities that come readily to mind when most people plan a vacation to the tropics of Central America. Just as popular are visits to the bevy of ancient Aztec and Maya cities that afford a rare glimpse into the civilizations of Mesoamerica that once ruled this lush, verdant isthmus. However, there is another opportunity which many who pass through this region often overlook. If you'll be traveling to or near the area, give as second thought to one of the days you have planned an an abandoned city or five-star resort, and think about embarking on an unforgettable journey through the underground rivers of Belize.
An Historical Journey
Tubing through underground caves is an exciting and certainly unique way to travel around some of Belize's most fascinating archeological sites. A long series of interconnected caves dot the interior of the country, accessible through cenotes, or above-ground sinkholes that lead down into these subterranean labyrinths. Even many well-traveled folks familiar with the isthmus of Central America may not have heard of or chanced yet to embark on a tubing journey through the lush, subtropical underground.
You're welcome to plot your own route through the caves, but especially for first-timers, taking advantage of one of the many cave-tubing shops that provide guides and rent tubing equipment may be the best option. The rivers that flow through these caves have existed since the time of the Maya empire; then, as now, they bring life and tropical abundance to the cave interior and the surface above. In ancient times, they were often used by early Mesoamericans as sources of drinking water and for crop irrigation, and so a great number of artifacts and carvings were left behind four tourists and archeologists alike to marvel at, perched comfortably atop an inner tube floating under the serene current's gentle propulsion.
The Underground Experience
Anyone adventurous enough to go it alone will be heartened by the abundance of information online which will help you plan your own trip down these enchanted ancient waterways. Advice from fellow travelers, coupled with online review sites, will make it easy to search out a reputable and reliable cave-tubing company to trust your experience to. Among the most popular routes with backpackers in Central America is in the Cayo District, known as the Caves Branch route. Thousands of years old, the route begins conveniently close to Hummingbird Highway, which according to archeologists was used by the Maya as a transportation route up to 2,000 years in the past.
Though it's always a good idea to do your homework before setting out on any trek, it should be mentioned that nearly all the tubing companies rent equipment which meets international standards of safety and durability, so you needn't worry about snagging on rocks or having a faulty tube break (no matter how many tamales you scarfed down the night before). Additional safety equipment is standards, including life vests and a caver's light :a lamp worn on a band around the forehead. This accoutrement is particularly valuable, as it will allow you to see clearly in the stretches of subterranean passage between cenotes where the sunlight never penetrates. On the Caves Branch route, you'll also be able to marvel at magnificent natural structures that you'll swear were made by human hands. In actuality, these are simply the result of time (lots and lots of time) and the slow, steady dripping of water, carrying limestone deposits from the surface of the cave down to its floor, much like the formation of the stalagmites those who have visited caverns may be familiar with.
An Unforgettable Journey
If you're the adventurous type, don't fret; not all the cave-tubing routes are resigned to slow drifts down placid underground rivers. Fast water and rapid currents are available in some of the more advanced routes; slipping and sliding down the subterranean tunnels will be a thrill you aren't likely to forget. All travelers to Central America ought to think seriously about spending some time in Belize's majestic underground tunnels. Few other places allow you to experience such startling history, underground wildlife, and the deepest recesses of humanity's ancestral civilizations all at the same time.
Snorkeling, jungle trekking, scuba-diving, sunbathing :these are the activities that come readily to mind when most people plan a vacation to the tropics of Central America. Just as popular are visits to the bevy of ancient Aztec and Maya cities that afford a rare glimpse into the civilizations of Mesoamerica that once ruled this lush, verdant isthmus. However, there is another opportunity which many who pass through this region often overlook. If you'll be traveling to or near the area, give as second thought to one of the days you have planned an an abandoned city or five-star resort, and think about embarking on an unforgettable journey through the underground rivers of Belize.
An Historical Journey
Tubing through underground caves is an exciting and certainly unique way to travel around some of Belize's most fascinating archeological sites. A long series of interconnected caves dot the interior of the country, accessible through cenotes, or above-ground sinkholes that lead down into these subterranean labyrinths. Even many well-traveled folks familiar with the isthmus of Central America may not have heard of or chanced yet to embark on a tubing journey through the lush, subtropical underground.
You're welcome to plot your own route through the caves, but especially for first-timers, taking advantage of one of the many cave-tubing shops that provide guides and rent tubing equipment may be the best option. The rivers that flow through these caves have existed since the time of the Maya empire; then, as now, they bring life and tropical abundance to the cave interior and the surface above. In ancient times, they were often used by early Mesoamericans as sources of drinking water and for crop irrigation, and so a great number of artifacts and carvings were left behind four tourists and archeologists alike to marvel at, perched comfortably atop an inner tube floating under the serene current's gentle propulsion.
The Underground Experience
Anyone adventurous enough to go it alone will be heartened by the abundance of information online which will help you plan your own trip down these enchanted ancient waterways. Advice from fellow travelers, coupled with online review sites, will make it easy to search out a reputable and reliable cave-tubing company to trust your experience to. Among the most popular routes with backpackers in Central America is in the Cayo District, known as the Caves Branch route. Thousands of years old, the route begins conveniently close to Hummingbird Highway, which according to archeologists was used by the Maya as a transportation route up to 2,000 years in the past.
Though it's always a good idea to do your homework before setting out on any trek, it should be mentioned that nearly all the tubing companies rent equipment which meets international standards of safety and durability, so you needn't worry about snagging on rocks or having a faulty tube break (no matter how many tamales you scarfed down the night before). Additional safety equipment is standards, including life vests and a caver's light :a lamp worn on a band around the forehead. This accoutrement is particularly valuable, as it will allow you to see clearly in the stretches of subterranean passage between cenotes where the sunlight never penetrates. On the Caves Branch route, you'll also be able to marvel at magnificent natural structures that you'll swear were made by human hands. In actuality, these are simply the result of time (lots and lots of time) and the slow, steady dripping of water, carrying limestone deposits from the surface of the cave down to its floor, much like the formation of the stalagmites those who have visited caverns may be familiar with.
An Unforgettable Journey
If you're the adventurous type, don't fret; not all the cave-tubing routes are resigned to slow drifts down placid underground rivers. Fast water and rapid currents are available in some of the more advanced routes; slipping and sliding down the subterranean tunnels will be a thrill you aren't likely to forget. All travelers to Central America ought to think seriously about spending some time in Belize's majestic underground tunnels. Few other places allow you to experience such startling history, underground wildlife, and the deepest recesses of humanity's ancestral civilizations all at the same time.
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The original article appeared here: Belize Adventure Tours. Read more on Jungle Tours.
