By Belize Live News Staff: The weekend’s heavy rains are still making their presence felt, with the Institute of Archaeology confirming that the Nohoch Che’en and ATM Archaeological Reserves are closed to visitation today due to elevated water levels.
The advisory went out at 6:15 a.m. on Sunday, July 12, following a soggy Saturday in which a tropical wave dumped rain across most of the country, flooding a stretch of the George Price Highway and even parts of the Western Regional Hospital compound.
For these two reserves, water is everything. Nohoch Che’en draws thousands for cave tubing along its river caves, and the celebrated ATM Cave adventure involves swimming and wading deep into a flooded cave system. When water levels climb after heavy rain, both become hazardous, and closing them is the responsible call to protect visitors and guides alike.
The Institute of Archaeology has said it is keeping a close watch on conditions and will issue further updates, beginning at 6:30 a.m.
Anyone booked for cave tubing or the ATM experience today should check with their tour operator about alternative arrangements or rescheduling. With drier weather in today’s forecast, the hope is that water levels recede quickly, but the reopening call rests with the Institute.
We will keep following this developing story and share the latest advisories as they come.
