Lubaantun and Blue Creek Cave

Lubaantun (Place of the Fallen Stones) is the largest Mayan ceremonial site in the southern part of Belize. This ruin is unique in that it was built without mortar (hence fallen stones), has no stelas and different architecture than other Maya cities and is where the controversial crystal skull was found. The builders showed great skill in splitting and fitting stonework to erect these significant structures without mortar. Archaeologists say that the artefacts found (obsidian blades, grinding stones, beads, shells, turquoise and potter shards indicate that Lubaantun was a farming and trading center. The origin if the crystal skull remains a mystery and apparently there is a second one in a museum in France.

Close to the village of Blue Creek is the Blue Creek Cave nature reserve which is also known as Hokeb Ha (Where the Water comes Out). A 20 minute hike through the jungle, a couple of wading river crossings and climbing over some jumbles of rocks brings you close to the mouth of the cave. The rock climbing here becomes a bit more challenging and rewards you with a magnificent view of the cave. Depending on the time of the year and rainfall patterns, your guide may take you for up to an hour to hour and a half swim into the cave wearing a headlamp and life jacket to the underground waterfall. This is a huge cave system. According to the Mayans who live in the area, you can travel for several days to reach Guatemala underground in this cave system. The depths of this cave and artifacts found in the cave suggest this cave was used as a ceremonial center. 

Leave at 8 am and return around 5 pm.

For the Maya ruins tours, wear sturdy shoes, long sleeved shirt, long pants and a hat. Bring a camera, binoculars, insect repellent, sunscreen, and plenty of water. For the Blue Creek Cave tour, bring a swim suit and water shoes. We provide the head lamp and life jacket.

Fitness level required: moderate. The Belize tourism Board says that “The journey through Hokeb Ha is not very physically challenging, but explorers must be prepared to swim and hike”.