You Better BelizeIt

Located conveniently along the Hummingbird Highway, the Caves Branch cave system actually consists of three caves:

• Footprint
• Waterfall
• Petroglyph. 

These caves take their names quite literally from what you will see inside their walls – from embedded footprints to as many as six waterfalls and a host of ancient rock drawings left by the Mayas when they used these caves between 300 A.D. and 900 A.D.

Flowing west of the Sibun River, the Caves Branch River has carved into limestone walls deposited by ancient reefs to form this massive cave system. The river dips in and out of these caves, allowing visitors to float through the filtered light of the jungle foliage above.  But don’t let the gentle flowing water fool you – there are some tight squeezes that make for some extreme adventure.

Archaeological studies suggest these caves were mainly used for ceremonial purposes; inside, you will see ancient altars and 1,000-year-old pottery shards, statues of fertility gods and embedded human footprints along the way.

This cave tour is considered moderate; some physical exertion will be required, as will some nerve and determination as you navigate tight spots along the way.