We saw fantastic pictures of the famous ATM cave and were eager to visit. That was until we checked our budget and the prices for the tour. Unfortunately, our extended stay on the Cayes has ripped quite a hole into our budget, so we decided against visiting Belize’s ATM cave. However, we have heard from other travelers that it is an awe-inspiring experience. 

After some pretty lazy weeks by the beach, we felt a bit itchy. Eager to head out, Lorena and I decided to go on a hike through Mountain Pine Reserve. Together with two younger guides, we ventured out to challenge our muscles at least a bit. The walks were pretty easy, and we enjoyed being surrounded by green. A tour to Mountain Pine Reserve can be combined with the Big Rock Falls and Rio Frio Cave, ending in Caracol. However, as mentioned above, the prices for tours are steep, so we decided to enjoy a full day at the Rion Pools and its surrounding caves.

San Ignacio and its twin town Santa Elena offer plenty of opportunities to float along the river. Our friend Zoe wanted to visit a friend of hers, the owner of Rawspa Resort, so we decided to come along. Located within lush vegetation, we enjoyed the day by the Mopan River. After so much time by the sea, it almost felt weird to swim in the sweet water again. We spent our day listening to birds, jumping off the pier, and floating along the river in a tube. To our surprise, Misael and Michael invited us to a wine tasting. Contrary to “traditional” wine, Michael produces wines from exotic fruits. Sipping wine, we let the time pass until it was time for us to head back to our hostel. After so much time by the beach, our “jungle day” at Rawspa made up for the perfect change!