Float without help or do you propel yourself?

[tetons]

Like to do adventurous things but have had back surgery and a neck surgery. For those of you in same situation, how was tubing? Does the river propel you down or did you have to help push yourself go down river? Are you close to the top of the cave at all? Any bats?

[Bobnjoyce]

We were there several weeks ago, with Reggie's Tours. There was a blend of paddling, usually pointed backwards, doing kind of a backstroke with your arms. It was a leisurely pace.There were several places where the watter shallowed and the current picked up to carry you, but nothing extreme. Caves were high, never low. We didn't see bats in the river caves, but on the walk there, our guide took us slightly off the trail to see a (former) jaguar den/ cave. There we saw three little fruit bats, hanging, sleeping.

[kccruisee]

We did cave tubing last week. We did not see any bats although the guides said they were in the caves and area which is why there were not many bugs. The water when we went was higher as it had rained and it was still a gentle ride. You do some rowing with your arms as the poster above said but not much, also there are guides in the river (called river rats) that will push your tube in the right direction if you get off course. There is a walk of about a mile to the beginning of the tubing that involves some steps and hills but it is also not that bad. I have had knee surgery and have asthma and had no problem with either the walk or the tubing but there were people in back of us that complained the entire time that it was too difficult. If you enjoy somewhat active excursions (but hardly extreme adventures) you will have a great time.

[asrey04]

I found it did give me a very stiff neck since you are required to sit in the tube--as compared with lie across it--the entire way and their is no support for your neck. It may or may not be a problem for you.

[simkoreb]

I guess it was just me, but the inside of my arms were rubbed up pretty bad from the rubber tube.