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Waterfall
in the Dry Season |
The waterfall with its blue crystalline cascade is the stunning
foreground of the massive circular entrance of Hokeb Ha
Cave. Tucked away in its cool shady hillside, Hokeb Ha Cave
(also called ‘Blue Creek Cave’) is located a
short twenty minute hike away from the Mayan Village of
Blue Creek. The village was named from the blue freshwater
creek that runs through the village and which is also the
water source running through Hokeb Ha Cave.
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Cave
Entrance |
Visitors who wish to hike to the cave without a guide can
do so, but it is always better to have the assistance of
a guide when exploring the depths of the cave. Guides are
available from Blue Creek Village. The hike is a fairly
easy one that requires the normal hiking gear (good hiking
shoes, long pants, bug repellant, drinking water and a flashlight
for inside the cave). For the first few minutes of the hike,
visitors can follow a marked trail along the creek until
a large clearing comes into view. There is a station located
on the clearing (where an entrance fee is collected), followed
by a wider trail on the opposite side. This trail continues
across a creek (that runs dry in the dry part of the year),
exposing unusual bleached white stones scattered on its
bed. After crossing the dry creek, the trail becomes a bit
inconspicuous so visitors must simply follow the creek on
its journey upstream. At this point, the trail becomes steeper
as it ascends from the base of a cliff. Just a couple of
minutes later, the spectacular entrance of the cave comes
into full view.
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Clear
waters inside the cave |
According to archaeologists, the cave was used by the ancient
Mayas in the Late Classic Period. An altar and several ceramic
artifacts were discovered that date back to that Period.
This led them to believe that the depths of Hokeb Ha Cave
were used as an important ceremonial center. Visitors can
explore the ancient marvels of the cave in a four-hour tour
through its large open caverns, small narrow chambers and
beautiful crystal-like flowstone structures before emerging
out of the cave from another entrance. The cave is accessible
year-round, except at some points in the rainy season, when
the water levels of the creek become too high. Visitors
should confirm the cave’s accessibility from friendly
guides in Blue Creek Village.
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