Belize is home to one of the most extensive and stunning networks of caves in the world(including Actun Tunichil Muknal, widely regarded as the most beautiful sacred cave on the planet) as well as a number of gorgeous waterfalls. But if you really want to make the most of your vacation to Belize, you can pack an exploration of both into a single excursion. While massive waterfalls like Thousand Foot Falls may get most of the attention, there are quite a few underground waterfalls, and they reveal subterranean landscapes that are practically alien in nature.
The waterfall cave expedition allows you to experience six different underground falls in a single day, and those who choose to engage in this tour get access to all the equipment they need as well as lunch, transportation, and knowledgeable guides. You’ll need it too. This tour isn’t for the weak of heart. You’ll be crossing a path through deep jungles, spelunking deep underground through pitch black darkness, and squeezing your way through tight natural chambers.
But you’ll be treated to a landscape where only the bravest adventurers dare journey. The caves and waterfalls here reveal a diversity that may surprise you even if you’re well versed in the trials of cave diving. The Mayas that once ruled over Belize saw these caves as a path to the underworld, and it’s easy to believe it when you’re down in their depths. The memories of those who came before are still on prominent display in many of these caves in the form of ritual chambers, carvings, and well-preserved artifacts dating back hundreds of years. And while the famous ATM Cave has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, the higher level of difficulty involved in traversing these remote caves means that you don’t have to worry about them becoming overly crowded. What remains is a quiet and somber remainder to a long dead civilization.
But just as stunning is the natural beauty of these caves. Natural crystal formations cast an unearthly glow over the cavern chambers, but the real beauty here is the waterfalls themselves. Cascading waters spill down nature-carved rock faces into hidden rivers and pools, and once you reach the top, there’s only one way back: straight down! The expectation of the jump from the tallest waterfall has made grown men cry, but the exhilaration of free fall and that refreshingly splash into cold, dark waters is a thrill that can’t be matched.