Is Cave Tubing & Zip Line Combo Tour Offered?

[jonwn]

I thought I read that one tour company was offering a combination Cave Tubing and Zip Line Tour. However, I can not find it. Can anybody help point me to a tour operator that offers a combination of these two.

 

thanks!

[campboo]

We just returned from a cruise on RCI's Legend of the Seas. I was wary of booking the combo tour with a private tour company, but after reading the reviews I decided to "risk" going with Nacho and Cynthia. It was the best decision I made!

 

The ship's tour had 140 people w/ 2 guides. We had 2 people (me and my DH) w/ 2 guides (Nacho and Cynthia). The ship's tour took 1/2 hour just to load the buses. Nacho met us right outside the pier building (he had e-mailed me with specific directions of where to meet him) and we hopped in his van and got a 1/2 hour tour of Belize City instead of waiting in the crowd.

 

It was over an hour's drive to Jaguar Paw Resort, and Nacho told us about Belize the entire ride. We got there about the same time as the ship's tour. While they tried to organize 140 people, Cynthia marched us up to the front of the line, and we were the first two people to go through the zipline course. It was lots of fun, but the whole thing goes pretty fast; we were done in less than 20 minutes.

 

When we had entered the resort, the resort staff had told us that the caves were closed because the water level was too high. Big disappointment. But Nacho gave us the choice of going to the Belize Zoo instead, or doing a different cave tour, where we would paddle instead of have a current carry us downstream. We opted for the alternate cave, so after we finished the zipline (the people on the ship's tour were still waiting in line to get their equipment) he took us through the resort to the Crystal Caves, where the 4 of us (me, DH, Cynthia, and the cave guide) spent a wonderful 1-1/2 hours paddling and walking through the caves. It was really great. As far as I know, we were the only two people on the ship that got to go into any caves that day.

 

Then we had lunch INSIDE the resort's airconditioned restaurant. (The ship's tour ate outside; we all had the same food, though.) On the drive back Cynthia took us into a local store and helped us pick out some local products (cashew wine, honey, spices) to take home. We got back to the ship with 2 hours to spare. The ship's tour got back about 1/2 hour before we did, and they didn't get to do half the stuff we did. They did get a partial refund, at least, since the caves were closed.

 

Even if there had been more people in our group, we still would have been back in plenty of time. I was SOOOO glad we went with Nacho & Cynthia. E-mail him at nacho_cynthia@yahoo.com and he'll answer any questions you have. Tell him Boo sent you; he'll remember me.

 

The only hassle was getting off the ship on the first tender. After arguing with the purser the night before for about an hour, we finally just went to the theatre early that morning (6:45 for a 7:00 arrival in Belize) and waited until they called the ship's combo tour (they call them by code: listen for BEAD) and just got in line with those people. They all had stickers on their shirts; we didn't, but no one questioned us and we just walked right onto the first tender.

 

Have a blast!

[candydane]

How physically demanding is the zip line portion of the excursion? Princess has a "Belize Aerial Trek" that it's "suitable only for passengers in very good physical condition". But the minimum age is only 12 years old.

[campboo]

This zipline is pretty basic. The hardest part is climbing the stairs after you have your helmet and harness on. Once you reach the top of the path, they hook you onto the cable, you step off the platform, and away you go. You use your hands (with hefty gloves on) to brake as you approach the next platform, and a guy is there to stop you and unhook you. Then you walk two steps to the other side of the platform and they hook you up to the next cable. It might be a little scary at first, but it isn't physically challenging. And after the first one, it isn't even scary; just fun. Hope this helps...

[aquaprincess]

We just returned from Carnival Miracle cruise and booked with Nachoand Cynthia also. They said they would have us back at the dock 30 minutes before departure and they kept their word.

 

Booking with them is so nice b/c you go in small groups and there is no waiting!!! The cruse ships book hundreds of people and N & C book only small groups.

 

They give you a very nice tour and the ZIP line is so awesome!!! It was the highlight of our excursions trips. We are four 50 yr olds :D and we had a blast!!! The guys doing the zip line are wonderful...always felt very safe!!!

 

Nacho and Cynthia even take you inside an A/C restaurant for your delicious lunch!! Most other tours eat outside on picnic benches.

 

Nacho is very trustworthy!!!

[mar-mar]

Nacho & Cynthia. Find them at http://www.ncqadventuretours.com/. It's incredible and HIGHLY recommended!!!! The BEST!!!

 

Ziplining is not highly demanding. Our son went, and he's only 10. Although, if you are afraid of heights, not for you then.