Ready for a day off the reef? Scuba School and Family Dive Center helps guests staying in San Pedro book mainland tours with trusted, licensed tour operators. We know which companies run a safe, well-organized trip, so instead of guessing from a rack of brochures, you get a recommendation from a dive shop that’s been on the island for years. No dive certification required. Anyone staying in San Pedro can book a seat.
This is one of the most popular full-day trips we set guests up with, and it combines two of Belize’s best-known adventures in a single outing.
The day starts with a boat transfer from San Pedro to Belize City, followed by a bus ride inland to Jaguar Paw. There, your tour operator’s guide leads the group through the jungle canopy to a zip line course with eight separate lines, each one dropping you closer to the jungle floor with a different view of the tree line below.
From the zip line, the trip moves into cave tubing. The tour operator provides inner tubes and headlamps, then guides the group into the limestone cave system carved by the river below Jaguar Paw. You float through stretches of open jungle and pitch-black cave passages, lit only by headlamp and carried by the current.
After cave tubing, the group heads to the ancient Maya site of Xunantunich. A hand-cranked ferry carries you across the Mopan River to reach the ruins. From the top of El Castillo, the tallest structure on site, you can see across the jungle canopy into Guatemala. A local guide walks the group through the site’s history before the bus and boat transfer back to San Pedro.
What To Bring
- Closed-toe shoes with good grip, for the jungle trail and cave sections
- A swimsuit worn under your clothes for cave tubing
- Sunscreen, a hat, and bug spray
- A dry bag or waterproof phone case
- Cash for lunch or souvenirs at the ruins, if not included in your package
Good To Know Before You Book
Mainland tours run as a full-day trip, typically departing early morning and returning to San Pedro in the late afternoon or evening. Your tour operator handles transportation, guiding, and site entrance fees. Comfort level ranges from easy walking at the ruins to moderate scrambling in the caves, so let us know ahead of time if anyone in your group has mobility concerns, and we’ll help match you with a trip that fits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mainland Tours
Does Scuba School run the mainland tours?
No. We help guests book with trusted, licensed mainland tour operators. The tours themselves are run by local operators who specialize in that trip, and we point you to ones we know are safe and well-organized.
Do I need to be a certified diver to take a mainland tour?
No. Mainland tours are open to anyone staying in San Pedro, whether or not they dive.
How long is the Cave Tube and Xunantunich tour?
It runs as a full-day trip, with a boat and bus transfer from San Pedro in the morning and a return in the late afternoon or evening.
Is cave tubing safe for beginners?
Yes. The tour operators we work with lead every group and provide a headlamp and life vest. No prior caving or tubing experience is needed.