If you consider yourself a spelunker, then this might come as no surprise: Belize is teeming with caves ripe for fascinating exploration. That includes what many travelers consider the “crown jewel” of Belize caves, Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM), and the literal mother of all caves, Actun Loch Tunich (also known as the Black Hole Drop).
Belize is also home to Central America’s longest and best-known cave system. At almost 540,000 square feet, the Chiquibul Cave System is the largest in the entire country. Along with these three behemoths, over 100 navigable caves and caverns dot the expanse of the country. Wet caves, like Cayo district’s Barton Creek Cave, make for adrenaline fueled adventures. Meanwhile, dry caves like the spectacular Crystal Cave are sure to inspire awe.
Regardless of how you prefer to meander into the Maya underworld, though, sometimes a cave that’s more off the beaten path makes for the most unforgettable adventure of all. If you’re a spelunker looking for some hidden gems in Belize’s world of caves, then here are four that you probably haven’t heard of.
1. Ben Loman Cave
Intensity: Easy
Photo by Remax First Choice Belize
Also known as the Ben Lomond Cave, this Belize cave comes complete with a quippy story. Some believe that it got its name from people having to “bend low, man” upon entering.
It’s located in Gales Point Manatee, a historic Creole village in southern Belize, and is suitable even for the novice cave explorer. There is quite a bit of hiking involved, though. Nevertheless, this huge walk-in cave makes for amazing photographs.
2. Tiger Cave
Intensity: Moderate
Tiger Cave. © Michael Turtle
About an hour and a half away from the village of San Miguel in the Toledo District lies Tiger Cave. It got its name after some villagers saw a dog chasing a jaguar cub into the cave. While relatively easily accessed (with the aid of a local guide), Tiger Cave is still rarely visited, likely because of its location on private land in the country’s southernmost district.
In this part of Belize, visiting a cave feels like a true expedition… and even a bit spiritual.
-Michael Turtle, Time Travel Turtle
The journey to this Belize cave is long but scenic, with modern day Maya farms and milpas scattered along the way.
3. Hokeb Ha (Blue Creek) Cave
Intensity: Moderate
The view from the entrance of Hokeb Ha Cave
The name Hokeb Ha is Mayan for Blue Creek. This off-the-beaten-path cave lies inside the village of Blue Creek in the Toledo District, and the view outside is just as spectacular as inside.
Its entrance sits carved in the limestone hillside right near where blue-green water emerges from the ground. Above it, long vines hang from boulders. Inside, spelunkers are treated to grand caverns, narrow passages, and stunning crystalline formations. Hokeb Ha is usually accessible, except when heavy showers in the rainy season cause the creek to rise to impassable levels.
Exploring the cave can take anywhere between one and four hours. Expect to encounter some occasional swimming and crawling.
4. Yok Baluum (Jaguar Paw) Cave
Intensity: Advanced
Yok Baluum Cave. Photo by Megan Rodden (Real Life Recess)
In case you haven’t noticed as yet, Belize’s Toledo district is in itself a hidden gem boasting tons of natural wonders, caves included. The Yok Baluum Cave is also located in the country’s southernmost district, near Santa Cruz village, and is actually quite near to Blue Creek Cave. To get to the cave, expect to hike for about an hour and a half.
The name Yok Baluum translates to Jaguar Paw and was chosen because of the fascinating paw-shaped formation that sits at the cave’s entrance. When exploring, expect to do some climbing and squeezing through narrow spaces. It makes for a challenging but doable adventure.
Featured Photo: Rio Frio Cave in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. Photo by Leonardo Melendez Photography
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