Crystal Dry Cave and Cave-Tubing, including Lunch V.i.V.

Tubing in the caves and seeing the different formations. We were picked up from outside the Carnival port by Abner of V.I.V. and then driven about an hour to Nohoch Che’en Park to tube. We requested a stop for water which we paid $5 for a 1.5liter bottle. At the park, we rented Crocs for $3 each and then were handed tubes and helmets. This was surprising to me as I had specifically booked this tour because tube portage was included. I didn’t complain to Abner because he would have had to carry 3 tubes but I feel this was deceptive. We crossed 3 rivers, then tubed, swam and climbed through the different caves to see the sparkling ones and the pottery artifacts. We then leisurely floated back to the start and carried our tubes back to the storage locker. It was a fun tour and I learned quite a bit, however, when I went to write this review, I found the same exact tour with the same exact company for $50 less a ticket on Trip Advisor. So now I feel deceived and ripped off.

My friend booked this excursion for us via Viator and we started by meeting up with V.IV Tours across from the cruise ship terminal. Everyone up to this point was very friendly and courteous. We got checked in and met up with some ship mates from the Princess we had met the day before in Roatan. Everything went downhill from there. We were loaded onto a bus led by our guide David or "King David" which he constantly reminded us he had his own business and next time to book his tour directly. He was kind and careful with each and every person on this tour with the exception of my best friend and I. We didn't even exist according to David. We were literally told to get in the tubes in the very back so that everyone else could stay together in the front. He was constantly looking out for their safety but couldn't have cared less about ours. I fell coming down a mud hill because my water shoe broke and he had no concern. We were never given information or updated on what was taking place and had to ask the people in our party that were given updates as to why we were just waiting around for almost an hour after the cave tubing. Turns out you have to wait until the people that book kayaking to finish before we could leave (which I totally understand) but it would've been nice if we could've received the same information like the others were individually told. There were so many instances in which David wanted to make sure we knew we were unimportant that I can't even go over them all here. Overall, I would never recommend this tour to any of my clients and wouldn't use V.I.V Tours again all because of this one tour guide (who by the way told us he hadn't renewed his license to guide the tours himself, just to be the tour on the bus but this didn't stop him for being our guide anyway and soliciting business for himself) He also told us of an an incident that happened in the caves a while back which is why there is a 8 person max to each guide and not for our personal enjoyment of the experience. I have never not tipped a tour guide in my life and have traveled all over the world but when he had the nerve to stick his hand out while we exited the bus, I was inclined to roll my eyes and walk away!

We had Jr. As our guide and he was excellent!! We really got to enjoy our time and the cave! Would recommend!!