Rio On Pools
Rio On Pools
4.5
7:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday
7:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday
7:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 PM - 5:00 PM
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4.5
228 reviews
Excellent
122
Very good
77
Average
19
Poor
6
Terrible
4
Sarah H
Los Angeles, United States7 contributions
Jun 2022
This review could save a life.
The pools look innocuous but there are strong currents, slippery rocks and some very deep pools with muddy bottoms.
On Saturday, June 11th, 2022, my two young adult children and I visited Caracol with a Belizean tour guide friend. On the road back to San Ignacio we were flagged down and told a little boy was missing in the pools. He had been wearing arm floats and was part of a large and loving family group who'd been enjoying a day out.
We are strong swimmers, divers, and first aid trained. As such we rushed to assist in the search, joining the family of the boy, as well as other tourists and locals . After almost two hours of searching in the pools and surrounding area, the little boy was sadly located drowned, with his foot caught in the rocks between two pools and a waterfall preventing him from being visually located.
The Belizean Defence Force and a Forest Ranger arrived late into the search but, apart from looking in the undergrowth on the nearby hillside, they didn't contribute anything - one BDF member entered the water but he obviously wasn't a confident swimmer. The BDF lacked any knowledge of how a search should be conducted, they didn't take charge or make suggestions and ultimately stood around with their guns slung across their bodies.
As we were transporting the boy's body back to his family's van, other families were going down the path to the pools. Neither the BDF or rangers prevented them from continuing, instead it was us, mere tourists, who warned them the area wasn't safe.
The following day another family visited Rio On Pools and sadly their daughter also drowned. Another family whose lives will never be the same, another family who have to fly home with the body of their child in the hold, another heartbreaking tragedy.
Why wasn't a Forest Ranger or BDF Guard stationed at the entrance to the pools after the little boy's death on Saturday? Why wasn't the entrance to the path barricaded with a notice informing people a drowning had occurred and the area was closed whilst an investigation was carried out? There's a sign by the entrance warning of the danger but it's not enough and now two young lives have been lost.
Please consider if this area of natural beauty is the right choice for your family and use extreme caution if you decide you must visit the pools.
The pools look innocuous but there are strong currents, slippery rocks and some very deep pools with muddy bottoms.
On Saturday, June 11th, 2022, my two young adult children and I visited Caracol with a Belizean tour guide friend. On the road back to San Ignacio we were flagged down and told a little boy was missing in the pools. He had been wearing arm floats and was part of a large and loving family group who'd been enjoying a day out.
We are strong swimmers, divers, and first aid trained. As such we rushed to assist in the search, joining the family of the boy, as well as other tourists and locals . After almost two hours of searching in the pools and surrounding area, the little boy was sadly located drowned, with his foot caught in the rocks between two pools and a waterfall preventing him from being visually located.
The Belizean Defence Force and a Forest Ranger arrived late into the search but, apart from looking in the undergrowth on the nearby hillside, they didn't contribute anything - one BDF member entered the water but he obviously wasn't a confident swimmer. The BDF lacked any knowledge of how a search should be conducted, they didn't take charge or make suggestions and ultimately stood around with their guns slung across their bodies.
As we were transporting the boy's body back to his family's van, other families were going down the path to the pools. Neither the BDF or rangers prevented them from continuing, instead it was us, mere tourists, who warned them the area wasn't safe.
The following day another family visited Rio On Pools and sadly their daughter also drowned. Another family whose lives will never be the same, another family who have to fly home with the body of their child in the hold, another heartbreaking tragedy.
Why wasn't a Forest Ranger or BDF Guard stationed at the entrance to the pools after the little boy's death on Saturday? Why wasn't the entrance to the path barricaded with a notice informing people a drowning had occurred and the area was closed whilst an investigation was carried out? There's a sign by the entrance warning of the danger but it's not enough and now two young lives have been lost.
Please consider if this area of natural beauty is the right choice for your family and use extreme caution if you decide you must visit the pools.
Written 16 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingFamilyTrip
Chicago, IL209 contributions
May 2021
It's nice enough, and is a very convenient stop on the way back from Caracol. Not a lot here for the solo traveler to see, really. It was nice to cool off my feet in the pools, but I wouldn't make a special trip here. There were a lot of local families enjoying the water and having a picnic nearby, and it looked great for that.
Written 20 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tiffy_Bird
La Plata, MD540 contributions
Mar 2019
Honestly, Rio On Pools wasn't my thing. I didn't splash in the water, but it is a scenic place to take a few photographs. The stairs to access the falls are very steep, so it's not a good idea for folks with limited mobility. I went down and climbed back up, but my knees weren't happy. Maybe I just wasn't hot enough to jump in & enjoy the water!
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daynamaste
Tonawanda, NY79 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
This place was disgusting and dirty. Both sets of bathrooms were so gross, they couldn’t be used. The changing rooms made me gag. There was garbage in them even a used condom. I’ve never written such a poor review, but it was so awful, I couldn’t change in the dirty changing areas. There were bags of beer bottles and garbage. Also, litter everywhere. I stayed in the “pool” for 10 minutes max wanted to bolt out of there asap.
Written 8 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndreaN
Vancouver, Canada111 contributions
Feb 2020
This is the perfect spot to stop after the long drive to Caracol! Easy to get to, as it is right off the main road and only a short easy walk from where you park down to the river.
Wonderful spot to have a picnic, dip in the pools, relax under little waterfalls and just refresh on a hot day. There is some shade, too.
Be careful, though, the rocks in the water are VERY slippery! I recommend wearing water shoes.
Wonderful spot to have a picnic, dip in the pools, relax under little waterfalls and just refresh on a hot day. There is some shade, too.
Be careful, though, the rocks in the water are VERY slippery! I recommend wearing water shoes.
Written 20 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelMore
Parker, CO174 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Not sure how this place has so many great reviews but maybe we were there at the wrong time. When we went the water was all murky/muddy. There are tons of big rocks in the water which are hard to see when the water is so murky. It was hard to get around because the dry rocks were blazing hot and they burned our feet. The rocks in the water were, of course, slippery and hard to traverse. It wasn’t very deep in many of the spots and it just didn’t wow us like we thought it would. Its still a pretty area, but for swimming and enjoying the water it’s not a place I would recommend.
Written 18 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CSJ
11 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
Excellent spot of a swim and a bit of fun with the family. Very easy walk from the parking area, very clean area. We had the place largely to ourselves once the small tour can departed. Kids had a blast sliding between the pools, then climbing back up. Easy to drive to as the road is paved 95% of the way up the hill
Written 11 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DaMama4
Camrose, Canada383 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We drove to the Pools on our own. We had a rental. Easy to get to but very bumpy road so beware and go slow. Very scenic drive of the Mountains Pines Area. After a almost 2 hr ride it was nice to walk down to the pool to refresh and cool off in the water. It was 34 degrees out. Easy walk down to the pools if you take the path that has the sign on it as you drive in. Stairs going down if you park at the look out site. Water shoes are handy if you have then as the rocks are slippery. Enjoy😀
Written 26 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LAllis0n
Orange, VA9 contributions
May 2012 • Friends
Gorgeous location and a nice place to cool off on the road back from Caracol. Had a great time playing in the waterfall and paddling around until ... yikes! Leeches! Definitely could have done without slimy things making toward my private bits. I had enough of that in college.
Written 9 February 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marguerite B
San Ignacio, Belize22 contributions
Nov 2011 • Friends
If you don't feel like swimming, at least stop for the view of the Rio On Bathing Pools. The Rio On tumbles down huge granite boulders, forming waterfalls and swimming pools at every level. For swimmers the adventures are endless. One is inclined toclamber over the boulders in search of the perfect private pool or jacuzzi waterfall.
When you see the sign for Rio On, turn right off the Chiquibul Road. If you want to swim, park straight ahead and take the trail to the right of the parking area down to the river. From there you can explore and find your own perfect bathing pool in paradise. After you swim, be sure to take the fork to the left side of the parking area where there are picnic tables, out-houses, and stairs down to some incredible vantage points for photography.
This is an excellent stop after your drive to Caracol, a refreshing way to refresh and relax at the end of a perfect day.
When you see the sign for Rio On, turn right off the Chiquibul Road. If you want to swim, park straight ahead and take the trail to the right of the parking area down to the river. From there you can explore and find your own perfect bathing pool in paradise. After you swim, be sure to take the fork to the left side of the parking area where there are picnic tables, out-houses, and stairs down to some incredible vantage points for photography.
This is an excellent stop after your drive to Caracol, a refreshing way to refresh and relax at the end of a perfect day.
Written 26 November 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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