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Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Tour Description
The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, known locally as “Pine Ridge” was established in 1944. Its location is in the Cayo District. The Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve Tour is a full-day trip to look at some of Belize’s finest wilderness, is approximately 270 square miles, that’s over 150,000 acres of protected forest. The best way to get to Mountain Pine Ridge will depend on your location. The most popular option is staying in or near San Ignacio and taking a guided tour to the reserve. The area is mainly granite and limestone, and the area is home to numerous rivers, springs, waterfalls, and caves. Top. On this tour of the reserve, you will be going to the three best spots. This pine tree-dominated forest, in recent years decimated by the pine bark beetle, is more than just a vast wooded area. Tourists and visitors find gorges and deep ravines, traverse dramatic granite expanses atop the Maya Mountains and observe meandering rivers, streams, waterfalls and pools amid.
The Rio Frio Cave
This cave is considered one of the best cave systems in Belize. It is one of the top attractions within the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. The view of the entry of the cave is in itself amazing, standing 65 feet tall. What awaits inside is nature at its most spectacular forms and has a length of around a quarter-mile. Explore the many natural fresh-water pools, waterfalls and stalactite formations found inside the cave.
The Rio Frio Cave is considered one of the best caving systems throughout Belize. With a length of around a quarter mile, there is no shortage of natural wonders along the way. Explore the many natural fresh-water pools, waterfalls and stalactite formations. This is one of the top attractions within the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and is easily accessed at the entry point of the reserve.
The Rio On Pools
The Rio On Pools is a scenic view North of Douglas D’Silva Ranger Station in the Cayo District, hidden in the hills of Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve is the invigorating spot of Rio on Pools., with its granite, rocks and ledges that form the most aesthetic waterfalls and fresh-water pools. The river banks feature the perfect picnic locations with excellent views of the area.
The pools are refreshing for a dip and the smooth slabs of granite are perfect for stretching out to dry off. It’s a remote location but a popular spot for tourists to enjoy. Locals also visit the area on long weekends.
Big Rock Falls
Big Rock Falls is a 150-foot waterfall in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve of the Cayo District of Belize. Big Rock Falls is a large waterfall located in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve that attracts a number of visitors who enjoy swimming and cliff jumping.
This waterfall was carved from some of the oldest rocks found in Central America. This waterfall is the most photograph falls in all of Belize and relaxation cool spot. Part of the Vaca Plateau in the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, Big Rock Falls is an impressive waterfall boasting two large, deep emerald pools filled with spring water perfect for swimming or, for the more adventurous, cliff jumping. The water from the peaks of the Maya Mountains rushes over giant granite rock outcroppings and down the waterfall. The footpath to the falls is a 15-minute hike and involves some difficult climbing down hand hewn stairs to the valley below. Once to the water, you must walk over the large slabs of not-so-flat and sometimes slippery granite to reach the falls. This site is amazing, but only for those who are in moderate physical condition.
The most memorable experience in Belize - Just came back from our ATM cave tour with Orlando from Kaatz Witz Tours . Pick up from the guest house where we are staying, nice air-conditioned van with lunch... read more and drinks included. But the highlight was the cave on its own, the whole experience it is once in a lifetime one and thank you to our guides for making it so much fun, educational and so interesting. We are leaving San Ignacio tomorrow with some wonderful memories
The best tour for ATM and Xunantunich!! - Absolutely amazing day with Orlando guiding my husband and I through the ATM Cave and Xunantunich! He’s been guiding for 20 years and is truly an expert with so much... read more historical knowledge and cultural insight to share. He takes the time and effort to point out details that elevate his tour far above the competition (we passed many other groups on the way back who seemed to be getting a much more superficial experience). He also took great care to ensure our safety and comfort. He’s the type that hikes in with a tablecloth for the yummy picnic lunch after exiting the cave! It was wonderful to be able to visit both of these amazing places in a single day but not feel rushed or that it was superficial. Thank you Orlando for guiding us so expertly through these Belizian treasures and sharing your homeland with us. If I could give six stars I would!!
Orlando was our guide for the ATM caves. He was an excellent guide and the tour was a really fun and interesting experience. Would highly recommend booking.
- He... read more was very knowledgeable and even told us about San Ignacio and Belize generally en route to the caves.
- Lunch was tasty and had a vegetarian option available.
- He was always making sure people were comfortable going through the cave.
We had Orlando as our ATM cave guide. He was a wonderful guide, and happily answered all my questions, made sure the group was doing ok at every turn, and... read more gifted us with so much knowledge about the rainforest, the caves, the Mayans - truly everything. His experience is unparalleled, and his passion really helps you appreciate the history and our amazing environment. Thanks Orlando, for an incredible, otherworldly experience!
Orlando took us on an amazing trip to the ATM caves!! We enjoyed the day with him learning about the jungle, caves and history of the Mayan people. Orlando was... read more so knowledgable and friendly. Book with Orlando, you won't be dissapointed.
Have you ever walked away from something and said to yourself "WOW!! that experience could not have been any better and it's all because of the person who was gracious... read more enough to share their love of their country and their knowledge with me!"
Well, that's Orlando!!! From the moment we got into his vehicle and headed down the bumpy road to the ATM Cave Tour path, we knew we were given a gift. It was just the two of us with Orlando and we felt so special to have our own guide on this tour. What an intimate experience and I can't imagine experiencing this adventure any other way.
As we headed towards the parking lot, Orlando explained what we were about to experience during our time with him. He gave us all the information during the ride to the entrance with all the history and knowledge only a local Belizean who loves his country, could possibly do.
There are guides and then there are knowledgeable, educated, enthusiastic and caring people who bring the experience to the next level. You could hear in Orlando's voice and see it in his eyes, how passionate he was about sharing this amazing experience with us and how touched he was by what the Mayans went through back in the day, to do whatever was possible to care for their families and please the Gods.
I know this is a long review but I can't express enough with my words how grateful both Jo Ellen and myself were with what Orlando shared with us and how thankful we are that he came into our lives and was our guide for the day. In the end, we now consider Orlando our friend and we would totally reach out to him the next time we're in Belize just to stop by and see his smiling face.
Wait!! Did we mention we had the most amazing lunch with him when we came back out of the cave that his wife prepared!!?? It was incredible and he even had a white linen table cloth that he put over our picnic table. Yes, the thoughtfulness of this man and his wife was incredible.
Ok...I need to end this review but I need to say one last thing...if you go to San Ignacio to with the hopes of going on the ATM tour and you don't book Orlando as your guide, you've missed one of the most amazing experiences and one of the world's treasures in listening and watching Orlando express the love for his country and for the bravery of the Mayan people.
Enjoy!!!
PS Orlando...we love you!!
Excellent! Orlando explained the history and cultural relevance of the site! Highly recommend this personalized tour of this Underground Maya Ruin
We went on this adventure with an expert on the ATM cave who told us a lot of interesting facts and stories about its magical history. Any question we asked... read more him he could answer. His enthusiasm works contagious and makes for a great day! Thank you again Orlando.
Our trip to the ATM cave with Orlando from Katz Witz Maya Tours was nothing short of mind blowing!
Orlando’s knowledge of every detail in the ATM cave,... read more Mayan history, and area/jungle surrounding the cave was very impressive to say the least. He has been going through the cave since 2004, and is an absolute expert on everything involved, including how to get all of his visitors through it safely. He took so much time showing us exactly where we needed to put our hands/feet when climbing and what areas to avoid when stepping. His care and concern for the cave and all the priceless artifacts inside was also very impressive.
After our tour Orlando served us a delicious homemade traditional Belizean lunch, of stewed chicken with rice and beans and all the fixings.
I can’t say enough good things about Orlando and his tours. The whole experience left me craving not only to go through the cave again, but to learn as much as I can about these fascinating people and their beliefs. This tour, and any others that Orlando offers will be the first excursions I book on my next trip back to this amazing country!!
The ATM cave tour was the highlight of our week in Belize! Our guide, Orlando, was very patient and informative, giving us direction on where to place our hands... read more / feet when navigating through the waters and dark caves. His knowledge on the history of the cave is outstanding. He has much respect for the ancient cave artifacts and carefully navigates you through the caves and explains each section in detail. Thank you to Orlando for a wonderful experience! At the "young" age of 50, we found this excursion very fun and informative, and cannot wait to share it again with our college age children.
We had an excellent time with Orlando exploring the ATM caves. He is a very knowledgeable tour guide and we felt extremely comfortable exploring the caves with him!! ... read more We also want to thank his wife for providing us with such a great Belizean meal after we finished!!!
My 18yo son and I were guided by our new friend Orlando into an experience we will remember for the rest of our lives. We learned and experienced so... read more much mystery, culture and natural beauty from an adventure that few will understand until they experience it for themselves. Highly recommend. You will be glad you did.