Tours/San Ignacio/Explore Caracol Maya Ruins, plus + Rio Frio Cave & Rio On Pools
Explore Caracol Maya Ruins, plus + Rio Frio Cave & Rio On Pools
5.0(34)San Ignacio9 hours
VIATOR5.0(5)TRIPADVISOR5.0(29)
At a glance
Duration
9 hours
Price from
$135 / person
Location
San Ignacio, Belize
Rating
5.0 / 5 · 34 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Small group, up to 43
Cancellation
Free cancellation
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Cayo Inland Expeditions
Meeting point
The Cayo Welcome Center. Your driver/guide will have a sign with your name for easyrecognition. He will meet you outside of the Cayo Welcome Center's office
Description
Discover the ancient superpower of the Maya world and the refreshing natural wonders of Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve on an intimate, small-group day trip. Located 45 miles south of San Ignacio on the high Vaca Plateau, Caracol was the ultimate political center of the Classic Period. This comprehensive tour blends ancient history, native wildlife, and beautiful swimming holes into one epic itinerary.
Tour Highlights:
•
Door-to-Door Convenience: Complimentary pickup and drop-off at all hotels within 10km of San Ignacio Town.
•
Small-Group Atmosphere: Guarantees a personal, engaging, and unhurried day with your licensed guide.
•
Ancient Maya Majesty: Hike a legendary archaeological site famous for its massive plazas, history, and frequent monkey sightings.
•
Bonus Eco-Adventures: Includes guided stops at the monumental Rio Frio Cave and the beautiful limestone cascades of Rio On Pools.
Tour Options
Caracol Maya Temple
Lunch and refreshments
Pickup included
Itinerary
The Maya Ruins of Caracol
Admission included180 min
Hiking, Climbing pyramids, bird watching and wild life spotting.
Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve
60 min
On the way back from Caracol, we will stop at Rio On Pools for a refreshing swim.
Rio On Pools
60 min
Swimming in natural cascading, refreshing, pools.
Rio Frio Cave
Admission included30 min
Sightseeing, minimal hiking
What's included
Included
Snack
Soda/Pop
Bottled water
GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Driver/guide
Lunch
Towels
Air-conditioned vehicle
Park Entrance Fees
Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)
Not included
Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Gratuities
Pickup Locations & Times
Your driver guide will be holding a sign with your name for easy recognition. We will meet you at the bus terminal located at the SanIgnacio Welcome Center or we can pick you up at your hotel as long as it's within 10 km of San Ignacio town. We offer pick ups out of this 10km area for an additional fee.
Traveller Ratings
5.0
34 reviews
5
34
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0
Important Information
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
Explore Caracol Maya Ruins, plus + Rio Frio Cave & Rio On Pools lasts about 9 hours. The itinerary has 4 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $135 per person for this San Ignacio experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Your driver guide will be holding a sign with your name for easy recognition. We will meet you at the bus terminal located at the SanIgnacio Welcome Center or we can pick you up at your hotel as long as it's within 10 km of San Ignacio town. We offer pick ups out of this 10km area for an additional fee. Pickup points include Home Hill Apartments/Vacation Rentals.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 43 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults Children must be accompanied by an adult
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(34)
L
Lauren_M
July 3, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ruins, Monkeys, Waterfalls, and Caves—10/10!
This full-day tour to Caracol and the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve was an absolutely amazing experience from start to finish! Our guide, Dimas, was super great and made the entire day unforgettable. We had a wonderful time exploring the Caracol ruins, learning all about the fascinating history, and climbing to the top of the ancient temples. Dimas was also incredible at spotting wildlife along the way—thanks to him, we got to see howler monkeys and toucans! The second half of the day in Pine Ridge was just as spectacular. We visited a beautiful waterfall, got to check out some awesome caves, and ended the day with a perfect, refreshing swim. Dimas packed so much adventure, history, and nature into one day. I highly recommend booking this tour with him!
Operator response
Thank you so much for your amazing 5-star review! We're thrilled that our Caracol & Mountain Pine Ridge adventure was one of the highlights of your time in Belize. We'll be sure to share your wonderful comments with Dimas—he'll be delighted to know his passion for Belize's rich Maya history, wildlife, and natural beauty made such a lasting impression. Seeing howler monkeys, toucans, majestic waterfalls, fascinating caves, and the incredible temples of Caracol all in one day truly makes for an unforgettable experience. Thank you for choosing Cayo Inland Expeditions and for your recommendation. We look forward to welcoming you back for another Belize adventure!
J
Jacob_B
May 31, 2026
Amazing Tour With Dimas!
Great tour with and an excellent guide. Dimas was knowledgeable in the rich history of the Mayan culture and entertaining. The ruins are well preserved. We went in a week day and it wasn’t busy at all. Lunch was a tradition belizean meal provided by Dina’s in site at Caracor and probably one of our best meals on the trip. Highly recommend this tour.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We're thrilled to hear you had such a memorable experience exploring Caracol with Dimas. He is passionate about sharing the rich history of the ancient Maya, and we're delighted that his knowledge and entertaining personality helped make your day even more enjoyable.
We're also glad you had the opportunity to visit Caracol on a quieter day and fully appreciate this incredible archaeological site. And we're especially happy to hear that the traditional Belizean lunch was one of the highlights of your trip—that's always wonderful to hear!
Thank you for your recommendation and for choosing Cayo Inland Expeditions. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back to Belize for another unforgettable adventure!
N
NorthStar61024444673
April 13, 2026
An amazing, educational experience
This was an amazing, full day event. It ended up being just our group, with an amazing guide, Henry. He was so fun, personable, and knowledgeable. His genuine, excitement responding wildlife along the way was infectious. The cave hike, the ruins, and the wildlife be spotted made for an amazing day. To top it off, the included lunch was absolutely delicious.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We’re delighted to hear that you had such an amazing full-day experience exploring Caracol and the Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. Having a private tour with Henry sounds like the perfect way to enjoy it all—his passion, knowledge, and excitement for wildlife truly make each trip special, and we’re so glad that came through during your day.
It’s great to know you enjoyed the cave hike, the ruins, and all the wildlife along the way—there’s so much to discover in that area! And we’re especially happy the lunch was a highlight too 😊
We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to Henry. Thank you again for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back for another Belize adventure soon!
J
jovitaa594
April 7, 2026
Fun at Maya Ruins and Rio on Pools
Another amazing fun adventure, beautiful ruins, amazing lunch so detailed, tour operator very informative and very friendly. The shuttle ride is very comfortable with AC, smoothly pick up and drop off on time, not belize time lol. What ever you choose to do in our little Belize it's worth it. Have fun, relax and enjoy nature.
Operator response
Thank you so much for this wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a fun and memorable adventure exploring Caracol and the beautiful Mountain Pine Ridge area.
It’s great to know you enjoyed the ruins, the Rio On Pools, and the detailed lunch—we put a lot of care into making every part of the experience special. We’re also happy to hear that your guide was informative and friendly, and that the transportation was comfortable and on time (we love that “not Belize time” mention!).
Thank you for your kind words about Belize as well—it truly is a special place to relax, explore, and connect with nature. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
C
Cristina_W
March 23, 2026
Nature and History
We had a great time with Henry. He was a fabulous guide. Not only did we learn so much about Caracol, but Henry was very knowledgeable about birds. The trip was a great combo of nature and Mayan ruins.
Operator response
Hi Cristina,
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear you had a great time exploring Caracol and the Pine Ridge area.
Henry will be thrilled to know his knowledge made such an impact—he truly enjoys sharing both the rich history of the Maya site and the incredible wildlife, especially the birdlife, along the way.
We’re so glad you enjoyed the combination of nature and history—it really is a special experience.
Thank you again for choosing to tour with us, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future!
A
AEDaggett
February 21, 2026
Amazing tour with Pedro!
We had a relaxing and perfect day. Pedro was our guide. So nice. Extremely knowledgeable. He made sure we lacked for nothing. The food was delicious and the entire experience was awesome 👍
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that Pedro made your visit to Caracol and the Pine Ridge Forest Reserve so enjoyable. It’s great that you felt well taken care of, enjoyed the delicious food, and had a relaxing, memorable day. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to Pedro—he’ll be delighted!
M
MelindaM161
February 13, 2026
A plus service
Great experience. Wish I could remember the name of our guide who drove us there because he was such a gentleman trying to assist my 80 year old sister,. The guide from the company who we joined was very knowledgeable and easy to understand. Lunch was great.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your kind review, Melinda!
We’re delighted to hear that your Caracol Maya Temple and Pine Ridge Forest Reserve tour was such a great experience. Exploring Caracol with a knowledgeable guide clearly made the history and sites come alive, and we’re glad the explanations were easy to follow.
It’s wonderful to know that the driver was attentive and helpful, especially with your sister — comfort and care for all our guests is very important to us. We’re also happy that you enjoyed the lunch; a good meal is always a great way to cap off an adventurous day!
Thank you again for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable Belize adventures!
M
MaryJane_R
February 6, 2026
Pedro did a wonderful job...
Pedro did a wonderful job ! Walking round the ruins was wonderful. We got to walk into the cave and the pools after were great.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your kind review, MaryJane!
We’re thrilled to hear that your Caracol Maya Temple and Pine Ridge Forest Reserve tour was such a memorable experience. Exploring Caracol with Pedro clearly made it extra special — his guidance and knowledge bring the ruins to life.
It’s wonderful to know you also enjoyed the cave and the refreshing pools afterward — the perfect way to round out a day of adventure and history.
We’re so glad you had a great time and hope to welcome you back for more Belize explorations soon!
E
edo144
March 19, 2025
Caracol, magnificent Mayan experience
Exceptional tour guide and driver. Very knowledgeable. The road in is not for the faint of heart but our driver made it very easily.
2
268cyrilr
January 30, 2025
Wonderful experience
We arrived yesterday in town with in mind to do the ruins of Caracol and the mountain pine ridge forest waterfalls. We were very well received in the agency and a tour almost safe measure was offered to us for 130USD pp. Today departure 8am with Pedro and Abner for an exceptional day, kindness, explanations and security whether to climb the steps of Caracol or swim in the waterfall. Thank you very much!
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Tour
Duration
Rating
Price
Explore Caracol Maya Ruins, plus + Rio Frio Cave & Rio On Pools