ATM Cave Tour from Caye Caulker

Recommended
Listing Type
Tour/Activity
Type of Tour/Activity
Jungle and Rainforest Adventures
Tour Type
Cave Expedition
Cultural | Educational
Inland
Nature
Main Activity
Cave Exploration
Gold Standard
Yes
Departs From
Start Point
Caye Caulker
Intensity Level
Moderate
$
200
-
$
400
/ Person
Trusted Provider
Belizing Experiences A
Avg. Response:
2 hours
Share
About Listing
Features:
ATM Cave
Ancient Artifacts
Archaeological Reserve
Cave System
Highlights
  • Most Sacred Cave in the World
  • Top Inland Attraction from Caye Caulker
Belize Gold Standard Certified - Belizing.com

Description

Explore the ATM Cave from Caye Caulker

Embark on a thrilling day trip from Caye Caulker to explore the world's most sacred cave, the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave. This all-inclusive tour includes transportation, entrance fees, professional guide, and lunch. Navigate through underground chambers, discover ancient Mayan artifacts, and witness the awe-inspiring Crystal Maiden. Limited spots available, book your unforgettable adventure today!

Your All-Inclusive ATM Cave Tour Includes:

  • All-inclusive ATM tour from Caye Caulker. Includes all transportation, entrance fees, equipment, and lunch (meal preferences can be arranged). 
  • Departure Time from the island is 7 AM by Plane or 6:30 AM by Boat.
  • Your pick-up in Belize City is scheduled for 8 AM sharp - so it is critical that you board the flight or boat on time! 
  • Your tour will be with a certified gold-standard tour operator, with an ATM-licensed guide. 
  • Groups are limited to 8 per guide, and there is a daily cap of 125 visitors per day. 

The ATM Cave in Belize

The Belize Actun Tunichil Muknal​ (ATM) Cave is a wet cave, where you swim into the entrance and then trek through ankle to chest-high water before climbing to a dry chamber that leads to the cathedral or main hall. This towering chamber is 350 meters in length and 50 meters wide and is filled with artifacts and the skeletal remains of 14 bodies, about half of them children.  All of the skeletal remains are male except one completely intact female skeleton covered in sparkling mineral deposits, the Crystal Maiden. Other artifacts include large pots and jars, flute-like instruments, and ground stones used for grinding corn and grains, suggesting agricultural rituals.

ATM Cave is considered the best Belize cave to explore and is declared the world's most sacred cave by National Geographic.  It is an extraordinary and rare opportunity to see ancient Maya ceremonial sites and altars as they were thousands of years ago, virtually untouched.

Booking and Cancellation Policy
Our tours are refundable (minus a small service fee) up to 24 hours before departure. Cancellations within 24 hours are non-refundable; however, rescheduling is possible if contacted in advance.

Additional Notes:

1. The ATM Cave is a physically demanding experience with some swimming involved. Please ensure you are in good physical condition before booking.

Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience! Book your ATM Cave Tour from Caye Caulker today!


 
Suitable for:
Kids
Teens
Adults
Families
Groups
Couples
What is Included?
Things the supplier includes without any extra cost.
  • Boat or Flight Transfers to Belize City
  • Inland Transportation
  • Licensed Guides
  • Entrance fees
  • Equipment
  • Packed lunch
  • Water
What to bring?
Recommended items to bring on the trip.
  • Closed-toe shoes (no flip flops)
  • Pair of socks (mandatory)
  • Change of Clothes and Towel
  • Bug spray
  • No type of cameras
  • Cash for Snacks and Tips
Rates
The base rates charged by the provider. This includes all taxes and applicable fees.
Minimum:
2 people
Minimum number of people.
Price
Unless otherwise indicated, prices are in US dollars.
Per
Price
Unless otherwise indicated, prices are in US dollars.
Description
Person
$
290
By Plane - 2 -5 Persons | 7 AM Departure
Person
$
270
By Plane - 6 or more | 7 AM Departure
Person
$
400
By Plane - Solo Traveler | 7 AM Departure
Person
$
225
By Boat - 2 -5 Persons | 6:30 AM Departure
Person
$
200
By Boat - 6 or more | 6:30 AM Departure
Person
$
350
By Boat - Solo Traveler | 6:30 AM Departure
Itinerary
Activity
Description
Time
Duration
6:30 am - Departure by Water TaxiBring your Belizing Ticket voucher - sent to you via email.6:30 AM1 hour.
7am - Departure by FlightBring your ID for flight Check in or digital copy of flight itinerary - sent to you via email.7:15 AM15 minutes
Belize City DepartureYour driver will pick you up in Belize City. A quick stop for breakfast is possible. Please note that breakfast is not included in your booking. The drive to the ATM cutoff is about 1 hour.1 hour
Drive to ATM siteYou will meet your ATM cave guide in the village of Teakettle in the Cayo District. You will switch vehicles here and ride with your guide to the site. You may be joined by other guests unless your tour is private.45 minutes
ATM ExperienceThe entire experience is about 4 hours, including time for lunch. The Belize ATM Cave is a wet cave, where you swim into the entrance and then trek through ankle to chest high water before climbing to a dry chamber which leads to the cathedral or main hall.4 hours
Departure back to San PedroAfter exploring deep inside the cave we back track to Teakettle Village and continue to Belize City where you take the 5:30pm boat or flight back to Ambergris Caye. Your cab driver pick you up and take back to your resort.5:30 PM
Activities
Caving
Availability
Schedule
Dates
Daily
Provider
 (47)
It's time for you to experience Belize in a different way! Belizing Experiences is Belize's one-stop Travel Fulfillment with a local authentic flavour! Looking for your next great ... moreadventure? We provide unique private tours specifically for you. Our travel related services covers any and all things to do in Belize. Experience Belize in a whole different way with Belizing Experiences! let's go Belizing!
Account Type:
Travel Agent
Gold Certified:
No
Service Types:
Tours | Activities, Shuttles, Accommodation, Vacation Packages, Rentals/Charters
 (252)
Premier Provider
Ranked #1 on TripAdvisor. Belize Ground Shuttle is a professional shuttle company operating daily shared shuttle service for travelers between San Ignacio and the Belize International ... moreAirport (BZE). Ride in style and comfort in our brand new vans. We offer regularly scheduled shuttle runs to and from the airport for all international travelers. Spaces are limited on each shuttle run, so book early. All shuttles feature free WiFi, water, air conditioning, and a professional driver. 

We are a Gold Standard compliant transportation provider, having implemented and exceeded all the requirements of the Belize Tourism Board's gold standard program for health and safety.
Account Type:
Transportation
Gold Certified:
Yes
Service Types:
Shuttles
Destinations
Main Attraction:
ATM Cave
Nearby Hotels
Know Before You Go
Podcast
Everything you need to know before visiting the most sacred cave in the world. ATM Cave - or Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave - is a possible contender for Belize's most stunning attraction. ... moreLocated close to the town of San Ignacio, the ATM Cave is the most popular cave tour in Belize.
Virtual Audio Experience
Elias Cambranes, expert ATM cave guide from K'atun Ahau Tours, takes us on the first of its kind virtual audio experience of the ATM cave.
Read Blog Post
If you're thinking about the ATM cave tour but nervous about the swimming required, this blog is for you! As someone who is unable to swim at all, I wanted to share my experience ... moreof doing the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave tour in the hopes of helping anyone who is feeling uncertain or unsure about whether to do it. I went on the tour with Belize Caving Expeditions, and wanted to share some practical tips or things I wished I knew before doing the ATM tour.
Category:
Tours
Author Name:
Katherine Wong Too Yen
Added Date:
Wednesday, 16 Oct, 2019
 (2)
The Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave is a possible contender for Belize's most stunning attractions. The ATM Tour in Belize will change your life! Located close to the town of San Ignacio, ... morethe Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave is the most popular cave tour in Belize. Its vast network of underground chambers is known as being a treasure trove for archaeologists but also for its diverse ecosystem of bats, crabs, crayfish, and tropical fish. Here's everything you need to know before you start planning a trip to Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave.
Category:
Travel Tips
Author Name:
Belizing.com Staff
Added Date:
Wednesday, 1 Jan, 2025
Payment & Cancellation
Cancellation Policy
Flexible
  • Cancellations made 15 days before will be fully refunded except for a service fee of 3%.
  • Cancellations made 7 days before will be refunded 70% of the amount paid.
  • Cancellations made at a later date will not be refunded.
Terms & Conditions
Plan Ahead for a Seamless Experience
We understand that travel plans can change! To ensure a smooth experience for everyone, we encourage booking your ATM Cave Tour in advance. This allows us to manage logistics effectively and provide the best possible experience for all participants.

Secure Your Spot Today
To guarantee your place on the tour, full payment is required at the time of booking. This helps us minimize cancellations and ensures that we can accommodate all guests comfortably.

Cancellation and Change Policy
If you need to make changes or cancel your tour, you can do so up to 24 hours before your scheduled departure. Please note that a minimal service fee will apply for any adjustments made within this timeframe.

Important Information for Boat Travelers
If you select the boat option for your tour, please be aware that once water taxi tickets are used, they are non-refundable. In the event of bad weather, we can offer a partial refund minus the water taxi fees or assist you in rescheduling your tour. If we must cancel the tour due to weather conditions before you use your water taxi tickets, we will refund your payment in full, minus any applicable service fees.

Weather Considerations
The Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave is managed by the Belize Institute of Archaeology (NICH). In rare instances, the cave may be closed due to unforeseen circumstances, including weather conditions. Should this occur, we will notify you promptly via email.

In Case of Tour Cancellation
If we must cancel the tour due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, we will provide you with the option to reschedule for a later date (subject to availability). Alternatively, we can discuss other options that best suit your needs.

Missed Transportation
If you happen to miss your flight or boat to Belize City, please reach out to our support team at experiences@belizing.com as soon as possible. While we cannot guarantee availability on the next departure, we will make every effort to accommodate you, though additional charges may apply.
 
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One wild museum tour
If you're OK with an adventure that includes briefly swimming in clothes and shoes, squeezing through tight spaces, a few fruit bats, and stories of some pretty crazy sacrificial practices then this is your tour! Fernando, our guide was fantastic. He shared lots of really interesting information throughout the tour starting on the van ride in. The whole thing was just one amazing formation after another. ... more You'll be navigating through a stream for a large part of the in-the-cave portion until you get to the place that they performed the ceremonies. Once there you'll climb up a bolder onto a ledge, then a bit further up you'll leave your shoes behind (wear socks!) to see the remains, being extra cautious not to step outside the literal lines. There is nothing but a few marking between you and the pottery and remains for all but the crystal maiden. If the maiden is dry, she'll sparkle like in the internet pictures. We made the trip from Blu Zen in Caye Caulker which meant taking the 6:15 hotel boat to the south side of the split, then the 6:30 water taxi to Belize City, then a taxi down to the rendezvous point where Fernando and his driver pick you up in a van. You'll have to leave everything behind in the van before you begin the hike. You also must wear a shirt, no bikini top or sports bra only. And most importantly you'll need to take a ton of great mental pictures of the unbelievable experience along the way -- no cameras or cell phones.
Overall
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