A yawning, 65-foot (20-meter) chasm in the heart of Belize’s Mountain Pine Ridge, the Rio Frio Cave welcomes exploration with the largest cave mouth in the country. Light filters in from both ends, illuminating an underground river, limestone formations, and dripping stalactites.
Unlike many of Belize’s caves, Rio Frio doesn’t require a long hike or a headlamp to visit. It’s a quick, family-friendly way to go underground in the Cayo without contorting through pitch-black tunnels or getting wet. Many combo tours stop here for some casual spelunking on the way to nearby attractions such as Rio On Pools and Caracol Mayan ruins.
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Relatively bright and easy to access, Rio Frio is a great choice for families with children.
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Pack a picnic for a meal with views from the beaches inside the cave.
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Wear sturdy shoes suitable for scrambling over rocks and boulders.
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The cave is not wheelchair accessible or stroller friendly.
Rio Frio Cave is located in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve in Belize’s Cayo District. It’s about halfway between the Xunantunich and Caracol ruins and roughly an hour’s drive from either site. The turnoff from Caracol Road is unpaved and not well marked, so traveling with a tour group saves you the stress of navigating Belize’s remote roads. From the parking lot, it’s a short walk to the cave entrance.
Rio Frio Cave can be visited any time of year, and you’re likely to have the place to yourself. Beaches inside the cave are more likely to be accessible in Belize’s dry season (June through November), when river levels are lower. Prepare for some mud on the trail to the cave entrance in the rainy season (December through May).
Many visitors stop at the Rio Frio Cave on the way to the Caracol ruins, one of Belize’s most impressive archaeological sites. Caracol’s remote location means there are rarely crowds, so if you’re up for the long and bumpy ride to reach the former Mayan city, you can explore massive temples, crumbling palaces, and ancient stone carvings in peace.
