St. Herman's Cave Adventure

Photo by Michael Sanchez

From the lush jungles of Belize emerges the mysterious and fascinating St. Herman's Cave, a place of legend and mystery, beauty and tranquillity, with a fascinating history. Named after St. Herman, a 17th-century monk, the cave is a must for anyone looking for an adrenaline-filled adventure or a peaceful and picturesque escape.

Located in the foothills of the Maya Mountains just 12 miles southeast of the City of Belmopan, St. Herman's Cave is one of the most accessible caves in  Belize, with the visitors’ center and parking lot just a few yards off the Hummingbird Highway. Due to its easy accessibility from Belmopan, I had visited the cave several times, but this time, my friends and I wanted to explore farther into the cave, past the "Do not go beyond this point without a tour guide" sign. Luckily, one of our friends was able to hire a very experienced tour guide for $70 per person.

Upon our arrival, Alex, our tour guide, was already prepared and waiting for us at the parking lot. He greeted us with enthusiasm, and immediately we knew this was going to be a great experience. After a crash course on the safety regulations, we gathered our headlamps and flotation tubes, and off we went.

We began with a 10-minute walk along a trail that felt like an eternity as anticipation and excitement built. We hiked up and down the rocky path, admiring the lush foliage along the way. We stopped for some breaks to take pictures of the amazing views and wildlife. Alex was very knowledgeable about the area and pointed out interesting animals and plants that we would have otherwise missed, like the chocolate orchid (Epidendrum nocturnum), a beautiful flower that produces a chocolate-like scent, making it a popular flower among orchid collectors. As its Latin name indicates, it is also known as the night-blooming orchid because it typically blooms at night.

Upon reaching the entrance of the cave, we gathered to take a group picture. Alex volunteered to take it, but we decided we wanted to include him in the picture and attempted a group selfie. A nearby tourist saw us struggling, and he offered to capture the moment for us. As we climbed down the steps into the darkness, Alex prompted us to turn on our headlamps. He explained that the steps were originally carved out of the earth by the ancient Mayas. Once inside the cave, we immediately felt the temperature drop as well as the dampness of the air. Even though we had seen this part of the cave before, as we ventured farther in, our mouths opened in awe of its beauty. It contains a variety of limestone and rock formations and glittering minerals.

When we reached the end of the self-guided tour section, Alex instructed us to leave our tubes there for a moment. We followed him through some cracks and crevices where we had to crawl to reach the other side of the cave. That other side was like a portal that led from the tangible human world to a mystical realm. The air was filled with a mist-like fog that made the landscape look like it was out of this world. We could almost sense the energy of the place, a sensation that felt spiritual and electrifying.

Alex then told us to turn off the light and just concentrate on the sounds of the cave. Mostly, there was an eerie silence that was broken only by the occasional rustle of a bat's wings or the gentle drips of water from the ceiling. As we explored further, I noticed carvings and drawings on the walls, remnants of the ancient Mayan rituals that once took place there. Alex shared stories of the Mayan civilization, providing insight into their culture and beliefs as well as showing us the artifacts left behind by the Mayas. I’m still amazed that these artifacts have withstood the passage of time.

After a while, Alex signalled that it was time to go back to where we had left our tubes. As we made our way back through some small crevices, everything seemed confusing. I couldn’t remember through which crevices we had come, as there were a lot. We were extremely grateful that Alex was there guiding us.

Photo by Francesco Ungaro, on pexels.com

By the time we made it back to the tubes, we were all muddy and sweaty—happy to rinse off in the cold, crystal-clear water of the stream that passes through the cave. Afterwards, we hopped onto our tubes and were ready to disappear once again. As we floated our way through the winding, dark tunnels of the cave, Alex asked us to turn off the flashlights once more for just a moment. We all held hands, laughing nervously at ourselves as we were floating in total darkness, surrounded by the unknown. We could hear strange sounds echoing through the cave, and for a brief moment, I felt a sense of fear. But soon enough, the light from the exit shone through, and the fear melted away.

Exiting the cave, we made our way back to the parking lot and helped Alex secure the equipment and tubes inside his van. We then decided to finish off the adventure at the Blue Hole for a refreshing dip before making our way back to Belmopan. The crystal-clear waters of the sinkhole offered unmatched underwater visibility, and despite the chill, we swam with enthusiasm. We were mesmerized by the vibrant fish and birds inhabiting the sinkhole and were even lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the keel-billed toucan, Belize's national bird! We all agreed that this was an experience that we would not forget. With such an amazing and unforgettable experience, it is no wonder St. Herman's Cave and the Blue Hole are cultural, historical, and natural treasures.

We finished the day with a picnic and watched the sun sink into the horizon. We thanked Alex for a job excellently done, especially for keeping us mindful of the safety guidelines and aware of the potential dangers. We couldn't have asked for a better tour guide nor a more exhilarating experience!

Photo by Michael Sanchez

Michael Sanchez lives in Belmopan and majored in Information Technology at the University of Belize.