Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour and Picnic, San Ignacio

About this activity

Actun Tunichil Muknal is a mysterious and beautiful portal to the ancient Maya and their traditions, ceremonies and spirituality. This cave system served as a ceremonial site where the Maya performed sacrifices and other ceremonies as they dealt with extreme and harsh conditions in times of drought.

Explore this lush area surrounded by beautiful jungles, and the cave entrance is traversed by swimming across a crystal clear spring fed pool. Spend 3 hours in the cave after hiking in through the rain forest. Here you will see stunning artifacts, altars and the crystallized skeletons of the sacrificed girl, The Crystal Maiden.

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At a glance

Duration: 9 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 60 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: MayaWalk Tours

Ages: Children (6–11 years) · Adults (12–70 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Includes transportation to and from our office in San Ignacio
Included: Explore the cave with an expert, specially licensed guide
Included: Necessary equipment - Helmet, headlamps, Lifejackets
Included: 3-hour walking tour of cave system
Included: Lunch with a drink

Not included

Not included: Hotel pickup and drop-off only if requested
Not included: Gratuities

Itinerary

Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM)

Admission included

Taking a journey into the Maya underworld at Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) or the “Cave of the Stone Sepulchre” for 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 Maya artifacts, as well as a sacred burial place.

This is the final resting place of “Crystal Maiden,” an ancient Maya ceremonial victim, as well as the remains of 13 other sacrificed men, women and children. Your professional guides have led government officials, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, The British High Commission and US Embassy officials into the ATM Cave. This sacrificial site is accessed by a 45 minute drive from our office in San Ignacio.
Stop 2

5 hours

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. To access the cave we swim across a small spring- fed pool and wade into the dark underworld of the cave that allows us access the extensive underground maze of tunnels, passageways and chambers, climaxing in the ceremonial chamber housing stoneware, ceramics, the famed crystallized skeleton of the “Crystal Maiden”.

We spend approximately 3 hours in the cave at the guidance of our experienced guides.

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.

Difficulty level: Moderate (involved some easy swimming and life jackets are provided for non-swimmers, who will also be escorted by our highly trained guide).

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

Directions: MayaWalk Tours Main Office located between Tandoor Restaurant and Belize Bank

Return point: Returns to original departure point

End point

Directions: MayaWalk Tours Main Office located between Tandoor Restaurant and Belize Bank

Return point: Returns to original departure point

Pickup points

Sun Breeze Hotel
Hotel Mon Ami
Hotel Gringo Perdido
Super Palm Resort
Ribiera del Lago Peten Itza
Yim Saan Hotel & Restaurant
Jade Jungle Resort
Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge
Black Rock Lodge
Amber Sunset Jungle Resort
Pine Ridge Lodge
Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge

and 28 more pickup points

Pick ups from all locations in Belize can be arranged. There may be an additional charge so please contact us if pick up is needed. .

Departure Point for most tours: Downtown San Ignacio

Address: MayaWalk Tours Main Office

19 Burns Avenue

San Ignacio Town

Cayo District

Belize, Central America

Directions: MayaWalk Tours Main Office located between Tandoor Restaurant and Belize Bank

Return point: Returns to original departure point

Using your ticket

Due to the nature of this tour and the safety of all guests, the tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or show signs of intoxication. If as a result your tour is canceled, you will not be entitled to a refund.

WHAT TO BRING/WEAR:

Form of Identification (ID)- Can be a picture on your phone

Hiking shoes/trainers (will get wet, toes must be protected)- Strong Soles

Socks (Mandatory for preservation reasons- protect the cave floor and the artifacts, If you have sensitive feet, you can wear two pairs for extra comfort.)

Modest clothing (Clothing such as macaroni straps, bikini, and sleeveless shirts for both male and females are not allowed.)

Extra set of dry clothing and sandals/flip flops to change into after your tour.

Towel

Small backpack- To keep your belongings together

Bring reusable water bottles

Liter of water

Bug spray (Must be Eco-friendly)- Apply before reaching parking lot

Snacks (Lunch will be late)

Medications if needed (epi pens, etc).

All personal belongings, except medications, water bottles, and snacks, will remain securely stored in the vehicle.

(Please note only the guide will carry a dry bag into the cave).

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Cancellations only due to severe rain or flooding
Guests must wear appropriate (Closed toe) shoes for walking through jungle and water
Guests must bring a pair of socks for the dry chamber in the cave
Minimum height requirement is 40inches
Vegetarian meal option available upon request
Clothes to be worn for the tour needs to be modest to respect the cave. Clothing such as macaroni straps, bikini, shorts and sleeveless shirts for both male and females are not allowed.
Eco friendly bug repellent is optional (Apply only if needed)
No cameras/ electronics are allowed on the hike and/or on in the cave.
Bring along a water bottle. We will have water available to refill your bottles.
Have a good breakfast before the tour. Lunch will be late.
Tours are limited to 6 guests per guide. Larger groups (7+) will travel together while being assigned different guides.
Form of Identification (ID) is required at check-in
Extra set of dry clothing and sandals/flip flops to change into after your tour. This is a wet tour.