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Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave: Explore the Mysterious Mayan Underworld and Enjoy a Local Lunch
4.9
180 Ratings
San Ignacio
Embark on a thrilling adventure to Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, the mysterious Mayan underworld. Swim through crystalline waters, explore hidden chambers, and enjoy a local lunch.
Embark on a thrilling adventure to Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, the mysterious Mayan underworld. Swim through crystalline waters, explore hidden chambers, and enjoy a local lunch.
Duration:
7 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- ATM Cave Belize - Actun Tunichil Muknal - The journey begins with a one-hour drive to the parking area. An experienced guide will lead the group on a gentle 35-minute hike to the cave’s entrance. The path follows the Roaring River, which must be crossed three times before reaching the cave. Before entering, the guide will provide a historical…
- ATM Cave Belize - Actun Tunichil Muknal - The journey begins with a one-hour drive to the parking area. An experienced guide will lead the group on a gentle 35-minute hike to the cave’s entrance. The path follows the Roaring River, which must be crossed three times before reaching the cave. Before entering, the guide will provide a historical overview and a safety briefing. The water passage offers a playful experience as participants wade through water that can reach ankle, knee, waist, or even neck height, occasionally requiring swimming. At one point, participants will climb to a ledge to access one of the cave’s most stunning sections, where archaeologists have documented over 1,000 pottery pieces and 19 human sacrifices. To explore this chamber, shoes must be removed to preserve the natural environment, including remarkable formations such as rock columns, stalactites, stalagmites, citrines, and flowstones. The guide will share intriguing insights into the ancient Mayan rituals and ceremonies that took place deep underground.
What's Included
- Local guide
- Use of all necessary equipment
- Bottled water
- Entrance fees
- Local Lunch (Stew Chicken Rice and beans or Vegetarian option)
- Juice
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Local guide
- Use of all necessary equipment
- Bottled water
- Entrance fees
- Local Lunch (Stew Chicken Rice and beans or Vegetarian option)
- Juice
- In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off outside of San Ignacio Town
- Gratuities
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off outside of San Ignacio Town
Additional Information
Discover the secret chambers and sparkling waters of the Mayan underworld at Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM), as highlighted in National Geographic! Dive into this enigmatic cave, which the ancient Mayas believed to be a gateway to the underworld, called Xibalba. This excursion from San Ignacio features a 1.5-hour round-trip hike in Tapir Nature Reserve and…
Discover the secret chambers and sparkling waters of the Mayan underworld at Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM), as highlighted in National Geographic! Dive into this enigmatic cave, which the ancient Mayas believed to be a gateway to the underworld, called Xibalba. This excursion from San Ignacio features a 1.5-hour round-trip hike in Tapir Nature Reserve and includes a delightful local lunch. Climb, crawl, swim, and enjoy the water passage as you explore the caverns, and relish the invigorating waters of the Roaring River before and after your caving adventure.
- Minimum height requirement is 40 inches
- It is recommended that you wear closed-toe shoes, comfortable clothing (short Pants, Long pants, T-shirt or long Sleeve) that can get wet, a change of clothes.
- Hotel pick up and drop off is for hotels within San Ignacio town limits. For hotels outside of San Ignacio, a surcharge applies.
- Pair of socks is required as portions of the cave shoes are removed.
- No cameras allowed
Location
46 Burns Avenue
Burns Avenue
Unit # 2 inside the Belize Caving Expeditions Office
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(180 Ratings)
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Rana_r
Jun 27, 2025
Pickup was on time and... - Pickup was on time and our guide Gliss was kind and very informative. He helped us along and explained so many things. The cave itself was really cool and learning about the Mayan culture was interesting. I wish we could take cameras or the guides could have taken pictures for us but cameras are banned. It did require a certain level of fitness so be Miguel of that since we were scrambling up and down rocks, swimming and crawling through tight crevices.
Review provided by Viator
Hayden
Jun 18, 2025
I cannot any more highly recommend this guide service. - The guide service was exceptional and the experience unforgettable. One must be of decent shape to navigate cave though
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Peter
Jun 8, 2025
Great tour. Fascinating. - Amazing tour. Says hike is intense, it’s not at all, easy hike to cave entrance and a little challenging when you get it but not hard . Abraham was a great guide. Communications on pickup was a little confusing.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Steve_s
May 20, 2025
This was a great... - This was a great experience! Our guide was so knowledgeable and fun. The cave was a challenge in the best way, a can't miss adventure! The lunch provided was great and transportation to and from our hotel was easy. Totally recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Ahmed_h
May 4, 2025
Underworld Adventure - we were off to a bad start due to our driver being late by nearly 40 mins. I had already dropped the maximum rating I was going to give to 4 stars. Fortunately, that’s where the bad ends and the amazing begins. Our tour guide Fernando was extremely knowledgeable and humorous. With his expertise, we swam, climbed and explored the cave with our small group. It was truly an adventure that intrigued the archaeological side in me. The journey itself was a bit challenging but it’s manageable. At the end of it, exhausted and hungry we got to enjoy a delicious and tender meal that was much needed. Our whole group was satisfied and recommends the trip to anyone seeking adventure
Review provided by Viator
Shunib2015
May 2, 2025
Fascinating adventure! - We really enjoyed this trip. It was a mix of hiking, canyoneering/scrambling and loads of interesting history. Our guide, Gliss was awesome! Full of information and very engaging. Sadly there’s no photography allowed but we will have fond memories.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fernando_f
Apr 27, 2025
Totally worth it - After pick up we drove for half an hour to starting point. We were given helmet and life vest and a bottle of water. Water shoes are ok for the tour, with mandatory socks. We had to walk for a mile and crossed 3 rivers (walking, no swim). Our guide Rafael is an archeologist and told us about the place. Reaching the start of the cave, we had to swim for a minute. The caves are amazing but the way is tough, but doable. When you reaching the dry chamber, the place is filled with ceramic and you can see mayas have lived there. You get to see skeletons with a very conserved one at the end of the chamber. Super recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Arturo
Apr 6, 2025
Worth it! - Amazing tour and the best guide ever! Would 100% recommend to anyone looking for an adventure that’s gets you moving while learning about the Mayan culture.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Trek54457340359
Apr 3, 2025
Amazing service and an unforgettable experience!! - We had such a great time with Belize Family Expeditions! Everything was amazing and we were so impressed with the service from transport, cave expedition through to the lunch at the end of the tour. Our tour operator Fernando did an incredible job and provided us with lots of interesting info throughout the hike and into the caves. Felt completely safe and well looked after and was absolutely blown away by the cave, definitely a must do if you’re in San Ignacio. Thanks for the amazing experience Belize Family Expeditions!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Saraagnello
Mar 28, 2025
ATM tour experience was... - ATM tour experience was one of the best we had, provided lunch was amazing. Guide was very knowledgeable.
Review provided by Viator
