Caracol Maya Ruins Tour Including Rio On Pools, Rio Frio Cave and a Picnic Lunch

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. We embark on a 1.5-hour drive from our office up rough dirt roads and through small Maya Villages and scenic countryside.

   3 h

2. Rio Frio cave is a must see cave while in Belize especially if you are looking for a reduced mobility cave to explore This amazing cave has the largest cave entrance in Belize and was once a sacred burial site for the ancient Maya.

   30 min

3. Revel at the engineering and architectural sophistication of the Maya people as you climb up the temple pyramid structure of Caana (Sky Temple), the highest man-made building in Belize still to this day. Once at the top, nearly 135 feet above the plazas, you will get impressive panoramic views of Belize and neighboring Guatemala. Caracol is a major and dominant site in Maya history. It is a fantastic site to visit, and it is an expansive city covering nearly 80 square miles and rivaling the ancient metropolis of Tikal in size, power and riches. The histories of the inhabitants of Caracol are documented by scribes of the past in hieroglyphics and carvings on the monuments, stelas, and altars that are found throughout the site.Your guide will illuminate the rich and complicated past of this glorious civilization with a fully guided tour of the excavated portions of the Caracol site. You might get lucky and see a family of howler monkeys in the trees over the ancient Maya ball-courts.

   3 hAdmission included

4. After touring the ruins, refresh yourself with drinks and a picnic lunch. We then continue back through the Pine Ridge area where we take a break at the Rio On Pools, a series of natural swimming holes, to cool down and relax in the clear water.

   1 h

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 288 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 5Excellent and informative tour with a great lunch

  Great tour - really knowledgeable and patient guide, lots of great information about ancient Mayan culture. Delicious lunch! Would recommend for any age of travelers! Moderately taxing in terms of walking/climbing, though the guide is happy to work with whatever level of exertion you would prefer.

  Ben_GAugust 2026via Viator

• 5Belize Caving Expeditions - Leo

  What an unforgettable day! As a couple from Spain, we were delighted that Leo effortlessly switched to perfect Spanish, making the experience even more enjoyable. His knowledge of Maya history and culture was simply outstanding. He didn’t just explain the ruins, he brought Caracol to life through fascinating stories, historical context, and an obvious passion for Belize, its people, and its heritage. Every question we asked was answered with incredible depth. We were also amazed to learn that he had personally participated in the excavation of Caracol. What a privilege to explore such an extraordinary place with someone who helped uncover its history! The stop at Big Rock Falls was the perfect ending, absolutely gorgeous. Thank you, Leo, for an experience we’ll never forget

  G2355KRsusanagAugust 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Caracol, cave, rio tour

  Tour was amazing! Isael was very friendly, patient and knowledgeable. Him along with the driver and food staff made the entire tour very enjoyable. Drive was comfortable and we are very pleased with the experience. Definitely recommend it.

  mariatI468XVJuly 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Caraco,l Rio Frio Cave, and Rio On Pools

  Great experience. Our guide Eddy was well informed and answered any questions. The lunch was delicious as well.

  markpC8892QZJuly 2026via Tripadvisor

• 2Reconfirm Your Reservation BEFORE You Go!

  I'd made a reservation for this tour months in advance to coincide with a trip to Guatemala. I flew from Guatemala City to Belize City, hired a van to drive 2 hours to San Ignacio, checked into my hotel, and stopped by the MayaWalks' office just before it closed that same evening -- only to learn that my Caracol tour, scheduled for the following morning, had just been cancelled since I was its only customer. I explained that I had traveled to Belize specifically for this tour and was returning to the USA the day after the tour. MayaWalks offered , for a slightly higher price, its Tikal tour or, if I really wanted to go to Caracol, I could pay and additional $150 (for a "second customer"). I responded that I'd already been to Tikal and that it would have been far easier and cheaper for me to travel directly to Flores while I was in Guatemala . IStill interested in Caracol, I asked if they could lower the $150 "surcharge" by eliminating all of the Caracol Ruins' "extras" (lunch, visits to the caves, etc.) since I was ONLY interested in the ruins themselves. The response was no. Left with little choice, I accepted the Tikal Tour offer although it took extra effort to convince them to waive the "extra cost." Again, I understand that it was off-season -- but I think MayaWalks could have been far more accommodating for a customer who'd traveled far, paid for transportation to and from San Ignacio, booked a hotel for 2 nights, and ended up returning to Guatemala to visit a site he'd already seen. Very disappointing (to say the least).

  F1522IUchristophersJuly 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Our trip to Caracol and...

  Our trip to Caracol and Rio On Pools was wonderful. Our guide has extensive knowledge of the native birds and animals. He also ensured that we had ample opportunities for pictures and gladly offered to take our photos. One of the highlights of our trip was our chance to witness a family of Howler Monkeys up close at Caracol. Rio On Pools was also fun, especially after spending all morning in the heat. We enjoyed the natural swimming pools, which provided a perfect spot to cool off and unwind. The delicious lunch provided after exploring Caracol was also a delightful addition to our overall experience.

  Stephanie_SJune 2026via Viator

Know before you go

How it compares in San Ignacio

• Its from-price is 18% below the median of the 71 day trips we list in San Ignacio.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 3 of 71.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About San Ignacio

San Ignacio is a market town in western Belize, set in the Cayo hills beside the Macal River, close to Maya ruins, caves and the Guatemalan border.

San Ignacio stands on a ridge above the Macal River, the main town of the Cayo District in western Belize, with its twin town of Santa Elena across the water. A Saturday market fills the centre with produce and crafts, and the main street has cafés, guesthouses and shops that serve the visitors who base themselves here to explore the forest and the ruins around it.

Top-ranked sights in San Ignacio: Actun Tunichil Muknal, Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, San Jose Succotz.

See all 163 experiences in San Ignacio