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Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave: Explore the Mysterious Mayan Underworld and Enjoy a Local Lunch
4.9
174 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 - A scenic drive of one hour and twenty minutes will bring the group to the parking area. An experienced guide will lead the group on a pleasant 45-minute hike to the cave. The path follows the bank of the Roaring River, which will be crossed three times before reaching the cave entrance. Before entering,…
- ATM Cave Belize - Actun Tunichil Muknal - A scenic drive of one hour and twenty minutes will bring the group to the parking area. An experienced guide will lead the group on a pleasant 45-minute hike to the cave. The path follows the bank of the Roaring River, which will be crossed three times before reaching the cave entrance. Before entering, the guide will provide a historical overview and a safety briefing. The water passage offers a fun opportunity to splash and play, with water levels reaching the ankles, knees, waist, and even neck, sometimes requiring swimming. At one point, the group will climb to a ledge to access one of the cave’s most captivating sections, where archaeologists have documented over 1,000 pottery pieces and 19 human sacrifices. To explore this chamber, shoes must be removed to protect the natural environment, including stunning formations like 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
- Hotel pickup and drop-off within San Ignacio Town
- Use of all necessary equipment
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Local guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off within San Ignacio Town
- Use of all necessary equipment
- Bottled water
- Lunch
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
Explore the hidden chambers and crystalline waters of the Mayan underworld at Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM), featured in National Geographic! Swim into the mysterious cave, which the ancient Mayas considered to be a portal to the underworld, known as Xibalba. This day trip from San Ignacio includes a 1.5-hour round-trip hike in Tapir Nature Reserve and…
Explore the hidden chambers and crystalline waters of the Mayan underworld at Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM), featured in National Geographic! Swim into the mysterious cave, which the ancient Mayas considered to be a portal to the underworld, known as Xibalba. This day trip from San Ignacio includes a 1.5-hour round-trip hike in Tapir Nature Reserve and lunch at the cave entrance. Climb, crawl, swim and play in the water passage as you enter the caverns, and delight in the refreshing waters of the Roaring River before and after your spelunking adventure.
- Minimum height requirement is 40 inches
- It is recommended that you wear closed-toe shoes, comfortable clothing that can get wet, a change of clothes and bug spray.
- 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
43 Burns Avenue
Burns Avenue
Unit 2
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
(174 Ratings)
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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
Samantha_p
Mar 17, 2025
Must Do Experience! - This experience was fantastic and is a must do while in Belize! Our tour guide, Patrick, was amazing and getting to see the caves as well as learn about the Mayan history was fascinating. If you do one activity it should be this one.
Review provided by Viator
Explore02667150571
Feb 26, 2025
Do not miss this tour . - Best thing we did on our entire holiday - really informative guide , authentic experience - challenging and fun in the right ratio .
Review provided by Tripadvisor
John_m
Feb 22, 2025
Super experience - Super experience that was exciting and educational. The guide Patrick was knowledgeable and proud of his ‘work place’.
Review provided by Viator
Jillian_m
Feb 16, 2025
100% would recommend this... - 100% would recommend this tour, we had an amazing time! Our guide Miguel did a wonderful job of explaining the history of the cave and the artifacts/sacrifices inside. Closed toed shoes are a must (I wore tennis shoes) not only because there are slippery areas, but there are rocks you could hurt your feet on if you wore sandals (even Tevas or Danners). I have no caving experience and was able to make it all the way to the end to see the artifacts. You are mostly walking through a creek with some swimming, rock scrambling, and one boulder to climb. This was one of the coolest things I have done, definite bucket list!
Review provided by Viator
Andrea_c
Jan 4, 2025
Loved it! - This tour was amazing!! Definitely not for those who aren't up for activity. The water was up about a foot for our visit, so it was strenuous traversing the river, etc, but it was an amazing experience. Anyone not moved by the sight of children who were used as human sacrifices, even if it was 2000 years ago, shouldn't be visiting. Just incredible. The lunch was also one of the besteals we had in San Ignacio!! Wonderful experience.
Review provided by Viator
