| Venture deep into a sacred Mayan ceremonial | | | | sacrifices to the gods. These caves played a |
| cave and go back in time. The | | | | central role in Maya religion and mythology, and |
| Belize-cave-systems are as mysterious as the | | | | were seen as home of gods and as an entrance |
| ancient Maya culture. The joke around Belize says | | | | to the underworld, considered alive with spiritual |
| that there is a cave on every Belizean property, | | | | powers. |
| and every cave unearths artifacts. | | | | Excavations revealed elite burials, stone |
| The lime-rock matrix which makes the Belizean | | | | monuments and plenty of artifacts inside these |
| landmass is riddled with some of the most | | | | caves. A tour of Belize would be meaningless |
| spectacular and mysterious caving systems on | | | | without a touch and feel of the mystic Maya |
| this planet. Enormous chambers are often part of | | | | culture, a divine experience of our precious |
| this subterranean world; with flowing underground | | | | ancient past. |
| rivers through many caves can be explored by | | | | Barton Creek Cave |
| kayak, canoe or rubber boats, and which is fast | | | | Belize has caves in a great profusion, where |
| catching up Belize tour's popular attraction. | | | | Barton Creek Cave canoeing is the Cayo District's |
| Cave Tubing | | | | newest added attraction. This journey is simply |
| The smaller caves are popular for tubing, or | | | | amazing, passing through remote underground |
| wading with headlamps. Caving in Belize is a | | | | water cave system in a canoe equipped with a |
| transforming adventure literally taking us back into | | | | powerful spotlight. |
| the Maya times. Journey through a combination of | | | | Canoeing through the cave we see large and |
| nine wonderfully, inter-connected caves, where | | | | colorful formations, skeletal remains and other |
| once the Mayans travelled. | | | | cultural artifacts left behind centuries ago by the |
| Just sit and relax in the inflatable, which takes you | | | | Mayans. This cave-canoeing adventure is about a |
| through a labyrinth of caves, as dark as the night, | | | | mile through to the finishing line. |
| but filled with fascinating discoveries. Be where | | | | An enthralling experience through space and time, |
| the Mayans worshipped, where sacrifices took | | | | enabling to see Belize, the way Mayans did. |
| place, and where the sacred waters originated | | | | Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave |
| from. | | | | This jungle cave attraction was discovered in |
| This mystic tourist attraction is an exceptional | | | | 1989; this water cave holds a large and diverse |
| experience, giving you a real-time glimpse of just | | | | collection of preserved Maya artifacts. These lost |
| another world. | | | | worlds were hidden deep into the jungles for |
| Caves Branch | | | | centuries are now offering us a chance to literally |
| Caves Branch is a river-cave system, a realm | | | | travel back in time. |
| where rivers disappear into the underworld as we | | | | 2000 years of history, is a long way back. We |
| float on tubes with only our headlamps to lead | | | | can witness here how these ancients used these |
| our way. Filtered mists of jungle light hit every | | | | caverns for religious rituals. Burial chambers with |
| now and then through openings and we could see | | | | calcified remains, ceremonial vessels, and other |
| the caves sparkling with mica studded stalactites | | | | cultural artifacts left by the Maya centuries ago |
| and stalagmites filled with ancient pottery shards, | | | | provide a thrilling experience of the past. |
| statues of fertility gods and Mayan footprints all | | | | A 45 minute drive from San Ignacio, followed by |
| along. | | | | a 45 minute nature hike will bring us to this spot. |
| When we continue past an underground waterfall, | | | | Make sure to be physically fit and healthy, for this |
| it leads us in to the 'Crystal Cathedral', a divine | | | | adventure is sure to test us out. |
| and spiritual place used by the ancient Maya. The | | | | Belize - Inside Out |
| ancient feel of the Maya culture is precious, and | | | | Belize is just as wonderful inside, as it is outside. |
| treasured, and brought alive in this underground | | | | Beholding the natural beauty on the surface, and |
| adventure. | | | | the Maya spirit inside. |
| Mayan Caves | | | | There is more to see in Belize than what meets |
| Mostly found in west-central Belize, the Mayans | | | | the eye. Make sure you see Belize, inside and out. |
| then performed rituals like blood-letting, and | | | | |