For any of the trips listed, please contact Barefoot Services first to verify that the date you need is available.  Last minute requests are harder to supply.

Contact: +5016299602 or Hello@BarefootServicesBelize.com

Please make full payment if service is within  72 hours. 

Belize Maya Chocolate (see video) and River Tubing experience combines culture, food, rainforest, and gentle adventure in one memorable day from Placencia.

The journey begins with an authentic Maya chocolate experience, where participants learn how cacao has been grown, prepared, and enjoyed within Maya communities for generations. Discover the journey from cacao bean to chocolate while gaining a deeper appreciation for the traditions, knowledge, and people behind one of Belize's most important local products.

The adventure continues at the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, commonly known as the Jaguar Preserve. Surrounded by tropical rainforest, participants enjoy a refreshing river tubing experience along the reserve's natural waterways.

Together, these experiences offer travelers an opportunity to connect with two important sides of Southern Belize: its living Maya culture and its protected rainforest environment.

1. Experience traditional Maya chocolate making in Southern Belize

2. Learn about cacao and its importance within Maya culture

3. Meet local people and learn directly from the community

4. Visit the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, Belize's famous Jaguar Preserve

5. Tube along a natural rainforest river

6. Experience culture and nature in one day

7. Explore beyond the beaches

8. Guided experience into the rainforest 

9. Excellent combination for families, couples and culturally curious travelers

This tour is ideal for travelers who want to experience more than one side of Belize in a single day.

This Belize Maya Chocolate and River Tubing experience is particularly well suited for families, couples, cultural travelers, food lovers, nature enthusiasts and visitors interested in authentic Belize experiences.

The combination works especially well for travelers staying in Placencia, or Hopkins who want to explore Southern Belize without committing to an intense adventure. The Maya chocolate experience provides meaningful cultural interaction, while river tubing adds a fun and refreshing rainforest activity.

Hopkins surcharge: Add US $29 or US $10 per person, whichever is greater.

How long is the Maya Chocolate and River Tubing tour?
This is a 6-7 hour day experience, including drive time. Depending on availability and group size, there may be some flexibility with departure time.

Where does this tour depart from?
The standard tour departs from Placencia Village and the Placencia Peninsula in Southern Belize. Pickup from other areas like Hopkins may be available with an additional transportation surcharge of about US $29 or US $10 per person, whichever is greater..

Where does the river tubing take place?
River tubing takes place within the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, widely known as Belize's Jaguar Preserve. The protected area is located in Southern Belize and is known for its rainforest, rivers, trails, and natural scenery.

Will we see a jaguar at the Jaguar Preserve?
Jaguar sightings should not be expected. Cockscomb protects important jaguar habitat, but these animals are elusive and move freely throughout a large natural environment. The experience focuses on enjoying the rainforest, river, and protected landscape rather than guaranteed wildlife sightings.  We do have a sunset hike, waterfall swim and night hiking option inside the park.  See more info for that here.

Is the Maya chocolate experience authentic?
Yes. The experience introduces participants to Maya cacao traditions and the process of transforming cacao into chocolate while providing an opportunity to learn about the cultural importance of cacao in Belize, by a Maya family.

Do participants make or taste chocolate?
Yes, the chocolate experience includes learning about the cacao-to-chocolate process and opportunities to taste locally produced chocolate. 

Is this tour suitable for families?
Yes. This is a good choice for families looking to combine education, culture, nature, and an enjoyable outdoor activity. Children participating in river tubing should be comfortable around water and meet applicable safety requirements.

Do participants need to know how to swim?
Swimming is not a prerequisite, but participants joining the river tubing portion should be comfortable in water. Safety equipment is provided, and participants must follow the guide's instructions throughout the day’s activities.

What should participants bring?
Bring comfortable lightweight clothing, secure water-friendly footwear, insect repellent, eco-safe sunscreen, a change of clothing, and waterproof protection for phones or cameras.

Can this tour be booked from Placencia?
Yes. This tour is designed as a day trip from Placencia, Belize, making it a convenient way for visitors staying on the Placencia Peninsula to experience Maya culture and the rainforest of Southern Belize during the same excursion.

Guaranteed Departure Rate
A guaranteed departure rate means that by selecting that option, the tour will operate with the number of participants you select with that rate. It indicates that you have met the minimum number of guests required, at that rate, for the trip to run.

Please note that a guaranteed departure refers only to participant minimums. It does not guarantee weather conditions or prevent cancellations that may be required for safety, operational, or unforeseen reasons.

Please review the service Terms & Conditions  

Scheduled Departure: 8:00 AM

Please be ready for pickup before the scheduled departure time.

The tour vehicle begins its pickup route in Placencia Village approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled departure and travels north along the Placencia Peninsula, stopping at confirmed hotels, resorts, vacation rentals, and other pickup locations.

Please allow a few minutes before or after the estimated pickup time depending on the number of participants and pickup locations that day. Being ready when the vehicle arrives helps keep everyone on schedule, as delays at one pickup may affect the remaining pickups and activities.

Meet Your Guide & Depart

Once aboard, the tour guide will provide an overview of the day's adventure, including what to expect, safety information, and the planned activities.

Before leaving your accommodation, please remember to bring any personal medication, personal snacks, a towel, and a complete change of clothes for after the water activity.

Drive to the First Experience | Approximately 45 Minutes

Enjoy the scenic drive from the Placencia Peninsula to the first activity.

Guests will spend approximately 2 hours enjoying the first experience before continuing for lunch.

After the activity, there will also be approximately 15 minutes available for shopping before continuing deeper into the rainforest.

Lunch & Continue to the Jaguar Preserve

After the first experience and lunch, the adventure continues to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, commonly known as the Jaguar Preserve.

From the main highway, the journey continues approximately 6 miles deeper into the rainforest before arriving at the park.

Gear Up & Rainforest Walk

At the park, guests will gear up with a rubber tube and required flotation equipment before beginning an easy walk along a natural rainforest trail to the river.

Each participant will carry their own tube to the river.

River Tubing & Rainforest Trails

Once at the river, settle into your tube and enjoy a refreshing float surrounded by the tropical rainforest of Southern Belize.

Two different trails are used during this portion of the adventure. Guests will walk one trail to access the river and use a different trail to exit after tubing.

Because the exit walk takes place after the water activity, expect to walk in wet clothing and wet shoes.

Wear lightweight, quick-dry clothing and secure shoes that are comfortable for walking natural trails when both dry and wet.

After exiting the river, each participant will carry their tube back to the designated return area.

Dry Off, Change & Return

After the river tubing experience, everyone will have time to towel off and change into dry clothes before boarding the tour vehicle.

Relax during the journey back to the Placencia Peninsula. Participants will be dropped off at their respective accommodations, bringing a fantastic day of culture, rainforest, and adventure in Southern Belize to an end.