Exploring Xunantunich and Cave Tubing Adventure from Hopkins, Belize

Morning light spills over the rolling hills near Hopkins, Belize, as you set off toward Xunantunich, an ancient Mayan city perched atop a commanding hill overlooking the Mopan River. The hand-cranked ferry at the riverbank rattles its cables, daring you to cross into another era where stone temples whisper stories of a civilization long gone. At the summit, El Castillo—the site’s towering pyramid—presses into the sky, its weathered steps rising 130 feet, offering sweeping views across the Cayo District and into neighboring Guatemala. The jungle below stretches in layers of green, alive and alert.