About Location
Rio On Pools is a scenic spot in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve in Belize. the pools are formed by granite rocks and ledges and are a popular spot for swimming, picnicking, and photography. Make sure to take your cameras and bathing suits!
The pools are located about an hour's drive from the town of San Ignacio. The road to the pools is a bit rough, but the scenery is worth it.
Once you arrive at the pools, you'll be amazed by the beauty of the area. The pools are surrounded by lunch vegetation, and the water is crystal clear. There are several different pools to explore, each with its own unique character.
If you're looking for a place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Belize, then Rio On Pools is a great option.
Features:
Camping, Parking, Public Parks
Recommended Hotels
(2)
Located in Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve near the Blancaneaux Line, Kane Villas offers 3 separate vacation rentals on a 5-acre property. Each rental has a kitchen, seating area, ... morehot water, and high speed Wifi.
A balcony with mountain views is offered in each unit. Mango Villa and Pua Villa have air conditioning. The Holiday Home, called Mahalo House, has ceiling fans and stand-up fans only.
There is an outdoor pool and entertainment deck with bbq facilities on the property.
San Ignacio is 30.6 km from Kāne Villas - Mountain Pine Ridge. Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport is 127.1 km from the property.
Pine Ridge Lodge has a restaurant, bar, shared lounge and garden in San Ignacio. Boasting family rooms, this property also provides guests with a terrace. The accommodation features ... morea 24-hour front desk, room service and currency exchange for guests.
Guests at the hotel can enjoy a continental or à la carte breakfast.
The area is popular for hiking, and bike hire is available at Pine Ridge Lodge.
Barton Creek Cave is 18 km from the property, while Cahal Pech is 36 km from the property.
(3)
Perched atop the magnificent Five-Sisters Waterfalls in Belize’s famed secluded Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, GAÏA Riverlodge, named aptly for the Greek goddess of Earth and ... morethe mother of life and all creation, will fulfill its promise to reconnect you to your most authentic and adventurous self.
An hour jeep ride from the more populous San Ignacio area, guests can recharge in their private and spacious cabanas to the waterfall’s sounds. Enjoy the rainforest’s intimacy with its native birds, butterflies, and remarkable flora, set amongst the pink and orange glow of the setting sun.
Remote, private and sustainable by design, we are a proudly Green Globe Award certified hotel. We operate on hydropower and offer an electric tram to transports guests from the lodge to the river. Most of our fruits and vegetables are also farmed on-site by local staff in our Mayan organic garden.
Tours & Shuttles
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
Rio Frio Cave is an ancient monument in Belize. It is located in the district of Cayo, in the central part of the country, 40 km southwest of the capital, Belmopan. Rio Frio Caves ... moreare located 470 meters above sea level. – Wikipedia
Getting There:
Since you’ll be doing this tour in combination with Caracol Temples, your journey will commence as we board our vehicle at Caracol, then make our way back through the Mountain Pine Ridge road where after 45 to 60 minutes, you’ll divert from the main road onto a short drive to the Rio Frio Cave Site. At the parking lot, you’ll onboard, then walk to the cave site where you’ll be amazed by the massive cave opening and its intriguing cavern which you are free to explore.
At the site
Two massive 65ft entryways make it extra accessible and create natural lighting inside. Huge stalactites hang from its massive cathedral-like vault room-sized boulders on the ground where a stream flows through, forming pools with cascading falls.
Departure:
After a short exploration (it only takes about 30 mins to see the cave entirely), you’ll walk the trail up to the parking lot and onto your next adventure spot (in this case Big Rock Falls)
Difficulty level: Easy to Moderate
Duration: Approx. 35 – 50 mins (at Rio On Pools)
What to bring: Sunscreen, bug repellent, sunglasses, solid athletic shoes, light clothing, camera.
Provided: Snacks & bottled water.
Rio Frio Cave is an ancient monument in Belize. It is located in the district of Cayo, in the central part of the country, 40 km southwest of the capital, Belmopan. Rio Frio Caves are located 470 meters above sea level. – Wikipedia
Getting There:
Since you’ll be doing this tour in combination with Caracol Temples, your journey will commence as we board our vehicle at Caracol, then make our way back through the Mountain Pine Ridge road where after 45 to 60 minutes, you’ll divert from the main road onto a short drive to the Rio Frio Cave Site. At the parking lot, you’ll onboard, then walk to the cave site where you’ll be amazed by the massive cave opening and its intriguing cavern which you are free to explore.
At the site
Two massive 65ft entryways make it extra accessible and create natural lighting inside. Huge stalactites hang from its massive cathedral-like vault room-sized boulders on the ground where a stream flows through, forming pools with cascading falls.
Departure:
After a short exploration (it only takes about 30 mins to see the cave entirely), you’ll walk the trail up to the parking lot and onto your next adventure spot (in this case Big Rock Falls)
Difficulty level: Easy to Moderate
Duration: Approx. 35 – 50 mins (at Rio On Pools)
What to bring: Sunscreen, bug repellent, sunglasses, solid athletic shoes, light clothing, camera.
Provided: Snacks & bottled water.
Big Rock Falls is a 150-foot waterfall on Privassion River, in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve of the Cayo District of Belize. – Wikipedia
If you’re visiting with children or non-swimmers please let us know this ahead of time so as to provide life jackets or other floatables for their convenience. Also, you must be very mindful of the elderly and the young, and be sure they (kids) are obedient enough to follow the guide’s rules, especially when climbing up or down the cliff.
Note: Please watch your step and be very cautious when walking on the rocks on your way and at the pools as rocks are very slippery. Be attentive with children or your partner as there are water currents.
Getting There: After Rio Frio Caves, we embark on a short drive of about 25 minutes down Pine Ridge Road onto the Big Rock Falls parking lot.
At the site: The waterfall is approximately a 5 to 8 minutes walk from the parking lot so you want to take everything you’ll need with you for an enjoyable time at the waterfall. From the parking lot, we’ll be walking through a little trail that leads to quite a steep climb down to the river valley. Flip-flops are not advisable for this part of the trek. Once we’ve made our way carefully down that cliff, the tremendous view of water rushing over the huge 150-ft rock formations and plummeting into the deep rounded pool at its base provides a rush of excitement. Our walk through the granite boulders takes us to the waterfall pool.
You won’t regret visiting this site for a nice cold swim amidst the scorching Belizean heat. You may choose to swim all the way up to the waterfall but try to contain the temptation to climb up any of the wet rocks or do so at your own risk, they tend to get very slippery. Your guide will allow you ample time to swim or bask at your own leisure. When you feel you’ve had your fix, he’ll escort you back to the parking lot.
Departure: Getting out of the river bank entails a climb up the steep cliff. It’s not as difficult as it may seem. Slow and steady does it. You may choose to change into dry clothes while you’re at the river bank or when you get to the vehicle. There are no changing rooms or restrooms.
You’ll then board our vehicle to traverse the same road through the villages and back into San Ignacio, returning around 5:00 PM or otherwise depending on your own pace.
Duration: Approx. 1 – 1.5 hours (at Big Rock Falls)
Difficulty level: Moderate
What to bring: Swimwear, change of clothes, hiking or water shoes (no flip-flops), sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses, a camera, and just about anything that would enhance your visit.
Provided: Towels, snacks, and water.
|