You Better BelizeIt

On a cool shady hillside near the village of Blue Creek is the Hokeb Ha Cave in Southern Belize’s Toledo district.  The cave is only about a 20-minute hike from the village of Blue Creek, and with the help of an experienced guide, it is a trip well worth making.

The scenery at Hokeb Ha is nothing short of breathtaking. Archaeologists have found many Late Classic ceramics and an altar inside the cave, leading them to theorize that Hokeb Ha was used specifically for ceremonial purposes.

In this case, however, the outside is as interesting as the inside - long vines hang from the sheer rock walls above the cave’s mouth. The huge cave entrance is carved from the summit of a hill where the Blue Creek gurgles up from underground. The creek runs out of the entrance of the cave, cascading over limestone boulders, under the towering shadows of the surrounding rainforest.

This means, to enter Hokeb Ha, you’ll start with a leisurely swim through a pool of cool water at the cave’s opening, a refreshing and invigorating way to become one with the natural setting around you.  While the rainy season may pose some difficulties in terms of cave exploration, when water levels permit, the one-of-a-kind memories you’ll capture inside makes this a must-see attraction.

The journey through Hokeb Ha is not very physically challenging, but explorers must be prepared to swim and hike.