Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour and Picnic

Listing Type
Tour/Activity
Type of Tour/Activity
Jungle and Rainforest Adventures
Main Activity
Cave Exploration
Departs From
Start Point
San Ignacio Town
Intensity Level
Moderate
$
125
/ Person
Trusted Provider
Share
About Listing
Features:
ATM Cave
Archaeological Reserve
Cave System
Nature Trails
Subterranean River
Highlights
  • Professional Staff
Belize Gold Standard Certified - Belizing.com

Description

ATM CAVE TOUR

Taking a journey into the Mayan underworld at Actun Tunichil Muknal, or the “Cave of the Stone Sepulchre”, will be one of the most enlightening, epic, and unique experiences of your life.  Leave the world of the living behind as you venture into the heart of the ATM Cave with your licensed guide. Recently deemed the #1 Sacred Cave destination in the world by National Geographic, the ATM cave is not only beautiful geologically, with its crystalline stalactites and stalagmites, but also historically, as is a natural museum of ancient Mayan artifacts, as well as a sacred burial place.  This is the final resting place of the “Crystal Maiden”, an ancient Mayan ceremonial victim, as well as the remains of 13 other sacrificed men, women, and children.   MayaWalk guides have led government officials, National Geographic teams, the Discovery Channel, The British High Commission, and US Embassy officials into the ATM Cave.   


This sacrificial site is accessed by approximately an hour's drive from our office in San Ignacio. Here we enter the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve and park our vehicles at the ranger post. From this point on we are on foot, hiking through the jungle for approximately 45 minutes to the entrance of the cave. The hike includes three stream crossings. To access the cave, we swim across a small spring-fed pool with the assistance of a rope and wade into knee-high water into the dark underworld of the cave that allows us access to the extensive underground maze of tunnels, passageways, and chambers, climaxing in the ceremonial chamber housing stoneware, ceramics and the famed crystallized skeleton of the “Crystal Maiden”. We spend approximately 3 hours in the cave under the instruction of our experienced guides.  

Leave your cameras behind and experience the power of ancient spirits with your mind, body, and soul. This is not only a physical adventure but a journey into the spiritual realm. We enter back into the jungle world and hike to our vehicles, where we relax and enjoy a homemade picnic lunch, with water and soft drinks, before driving back to San Ignacio.

 

Suitable for:
Teens
Adults
Families
Groups
Couples
Seniors
Recommended Age Range:
11 - 20
21 - 30
31 - 40
41 - 50
What is Included?
Things the supplier includes without any extra cost.
  • Local Lunch
  • Professional Staff
  • Bottomless rumpunch
What to bring?
Recommended items to bring on the trip.
  • Hiking Shoes/trainers(will get wet)
  • Socks (mandatory for preservation reasons)
  • Extra set of dry clothing, extra sandals/flip flops
  • Small backpack
  • Liter of water
  • Bug Spray
  • Snacks
  • Swim wear with shorts
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.
Person
$
125
Activities
Caving, Swimming
Availability
Schedule
Dates
Start Time
Duration
Daily8:30 AM8
Provider
 (11)
YOUR ADVENTURE STARTS HERE! Belize Adventure Tours Mayawalk Tours is an eco-friendly, family owned, local tour operator based in San Ignacio, Cayo, Belize. We have been operating ... moreadventure tours since 1997, and we offer over a dozen adventure tours in Belize, with special emphasis on caving and canoeing tours. Our local guides are more than happy to share their knowledge about the archaeology and history of the sites that you will visit. Whether you are in the mood for a leisurely tour or a more rugged adventure, Mayawalk Tours can help you plan a special trip that you will remember for a lifetime.
Account Type:
Tour Operator
Gold Certified:
Yes
Service Types:
Tours | Activities, Shuttles
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.
10 reviews   0 comments
Overall
Was the tour accurately described on the website? In other words did it meet your expectations?
(4.9 of 5)
Safety
Did you receive enough instruction to feel safe?
(5.0 of 5)
Gear
How was the quality of the gear you used?
(5.0 of 5)
Comfort
(4.9 of 5)
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Great ATM experience with MayaWalk
My trip through the ATM Cave was fantastic- from start to finish! MayaWalk Tours did a great job of organizing the whole adventure. Our guide Hector was the best! Very knowledgeable about Mayan history and geology, personable and funny as well. Highly recommended!
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ATM cave tour
We had an amazing experience. Our guide Eric was top notch. He gets 5-stars all around. What a knowledgeable, fun, cool guy!!! The whole trip was simply fantastic.
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A Unique Adventure
This was one of the best things I have done on vacation ever! The guides were fabulous, and I felt very safe throughout without losing that "adventure" feel. Something like this would definitely not be allowed in the United States, but I think that's a good thing. The lunch provided was also very tasty and fresh. Only complaint is that the rum punch was watered down, but for such an amazing and unique ... more adventure, who cares?
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Fantastic
Insanely beautiful- a real must do for anyone who travels in Belize. It lasts several hours and you should wear long waterproof sleeves because it can get a bit cold, but it is a beautiful experience and 1000% worth it. The tous guides were great, especially Hector who was leading my group, was particularly knowledgeable about all things Mayan (he is Mayan himself) and literally could quite any scientific ... more paper ever written about the ATM caves. Overall extremely educational, gorgeous experience.
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Wonderful experience
My husband and I booked this tour for us and two other friends. It blew our expectations out of the water! Our guide Hector was very fun and knowledgable. There was more to see during this tour than we thought and it honestly felt like an honor to be allowed inside. The only issue I have is with the info provided beforehand by this website. It couldn't be more misleading. You are not allowed to bring ... more a small backpack with you like the instructions say. It also tells you to bring bug spray but, do not apply this unless the bugs are bad. The bug spray is not good for the area and is not recommended. This tour provides you with a helmet, headlamp and life vest. You should bring shoes that are good for both water and climbing and do not forget to wear socks! There is an area of the cave that you cannot wear shoes and need socks for. You are allowed to being your water bottle but you will not be able to carry it within the cave. Our guide had a dry bag for anything important you may need like medication or even some small snacks. Overall this was an amazing time despite the trouble with info online. It was one of the best parts of our time in Belize!! I would honestly recommend asking for Hector if you can.
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ATM caves are otherwordly!
Probably not a lot I can say about ATM that hasn't been said in the other reviews, but it was probably the highlight of our trip, and it had stiff competition. Make sure you do this before it's too late. We were very pleased with our guide and driver from Mayawalk Tours.
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ATM Cave Tour was amazing!
This tour was way more intense than I expected but in a good way! Beautiful hike to the cave, learned a lot about the Mayan cultural beliefs surrounding caves, swimming, bouldering and amazing artifacts. Such a great experience, highly recommended!! They're serious about not being claustrophobic, good with heights (you climb rocks and a ladder) and comfortable swimming (you dont have to swim far). ... more Really appreciated the lunch and rum punch to end! Recommendations- remember to wear clothes and shoes that can get completely wet, are good for hiking and climbing wet rocks because you get wet right away on the hike out and stay wet in the cave. Take this tour, you won't be disappointed!
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ATM Cave Tour - DO NOT MISS
This is, by far, one of the most memorable experiences my husband and I have had in Belize so far! While the reviews and blogs about the ATM Cave tour are accurate, they don't do the entire experience justice. We got to channel our 'inner Indiana Jones' with a jungle treks, river crossings, swimming, and caving, all while exploring a well-preserved archaeological site and learning about the Maya culture ... more and history in the process. If you're planning to do the ATM cave tour, go with MayaWalk and ask for Juan Carlos. He was a fantastic guide who enjoys what he does and it showed throughout our tour. He was passionate about sharing his knowledge with our group, answering our questions along the way, and keeping us safe throughout the trip.
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Excellent Experience
The tour is an incredible experience. It is an awesome physical activity, combined with a great cultural experience. Our guide was incredible. He was great at helping the group navigate the streams, rocks and pathway. Additionally his knowledge of the history and the artifacts along with other aspects of the environment along the way made for an amazing experience.
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Me
Amazing is not enough to describe it . Just wish their response time via email was faster.
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