Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Adventure

We loved our driver Shane and our cave guide Fernando. They were both friendly and informative. We had a wonderful day!

Hands down the best excursion in Belize. National Geographic ranked ATM Cave (Actun Tunichil Muknal) as #1 on its list of “Top Sacred Caves in the World,” and once you experience it, you’ll immediately understand why. We were staying in Hopkins, and our driver Ed picked us up at 7 AM. He was incredibly friendly and eager to answer all our questions about Belizean culture. The drive took about two hours, followed by a transfer to another van because the roads closer to the cave are quite rough. Before heading to the cave site, there’s a small local market where you can grab snacks and use the bathroom (1 BZD). The second van ride takes about 30 minutes to reach the cave area. If you skip that stop, don’t worry — there is another bathroom near the start of the hike to the cave as well. The hike to the cave and back is about 5.2 km (just over 3 miles) total and includes three river crossings, so be prepared to get soaked before you even enter the cave. We were required to wear helmets with headlamps and life jackets for safety during the cave exploration. Important tip: You cannot bring cameras or valuables into the cave. They are strictly prohibited because items have been dropped and lost in the river and cave before. I recommend wearing good waterproof hiking shoes and clothing you are comfortable getting wet in. Once inside the cave, you’ll also need a pair of socks to wear in the inner chambers where the cave floor and artifacts are extremely delicate. Be aware that parts of the cave require moving your body through tight spaces and climbing over rocks, so if you have a fear of small spaces or are not comfortable with adventure-style excursions, this may not be the tour for you. Trust me though — the experience is absolutely worth it. Our guide Akim was phenomenal. He is currently studying to become an archaeologist in Belize, and his knowledge made the experience even more fascinating. His family has been leading these tours for many years, and his passion for the history of the cave really showed. After the hike, we were treated to one of the best Belizean meals of the trip. The cook, Lilly, prepared delicious chicken seasoned with local spices along with rice and beans, plantains, and coleslaw. Vegetarian options are available as well. Lilly even shared her homemade hot sauce with pickled vegetables, which was incredible with the meal. There are bathrooms at the cave site where you eat after the tour, and I recommend bringing a small towel to sit on in the van afterward if you don’t want to bring a second set of clothes to change into. This excursion is an unforgettable mix of adventure, history, and culture. If you visit Belize, ATM Cave should absolutely be on your list.

An incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience! From the river crossings (3 going there, then 3 back), to swimming into the entrance, hiking through passages, and climbing into caverns to see remnants of Mayan beliefs - amazing! My kids (youngest is 10) had no trouble with the tour. We never felt claustrophobic or unsafe. The only disappointing thing was that cameras weren’t allowed - which was understandable since dropped cameras have damaged some of the remains. However, when I try to explain it, I can’t explain it in a way for others to wrap their heads around it! The only suggestion I have for the tour company (that partnered with Get to Know Belize Tours) would be to stagger groups more so that it doesn’t get so congested by the upper chamber.

We used Get to Know Belize Adventures to help plan excursions for our destination wedding, and we couldn’t be happier with our experience. The memories created through these adventures will forever make our wedding incredibly special for both us and our guests. The company is super nice, easy to work with, and very accommodating throughout the planning process. The ATM Cave was truly an exceptional experience and a definite highlight. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and made the entire tour both informative and enjoyable. The experience itself is a perfect mix of hiking, swimming, and exploring. You’re provided with a helmet with a light and a life vest, which made everything feel safe and well-organized. A helpful tip: definitely wear swim socks if your feet are sensitive, as you’ll be walking barefoot in protected areas where shoes aren’t allowed. Also, phones and cameras are not permitted due to past incidents where artifacts were damaged—something we really appreciated, as it shows how seriously they take preservation. This is an absolute must-do while you’re in Belize. It’s unlike any other experience you’ll ever have, and we are so grateful to Get to Know Belize Adventures for making it such a memorable part of our wedding celebration. Highly recommend!

This was an amazing experience. Would suggest doing this as your last adventure, as it was the best. We did a lot of exploring in Belize. Everything was fantastic. However, the ATM cave tour topped the list. We are not a "lounge about" couple. We love exploring and hiking the tough trails. It's a good workout of muscles you probably don't use that often (unless you are a regular spelunker). Fernando was our guide. He was great. He knew his history and knew the cave system. He had a dry sense of humor that complemented his serious approach to navigating the cave. Very much appreciated our guide. Highly, highly recommend this tour if you step foot in Belize!

This was an amazing experiment for my family! Be prepared to be slightly challenged with swimming, climbing and some hiking. You cannot bring any cameras or phones or anything with you and once you are there, you will understand why. My entire family enjoyed the whole experience and to see and get so close to the remaining artifacts was extremely cool! Do not hesitate to book with the crew at Get To Know Belize! They are an amazing family that is focused on making your vacation extra special!

This experience was definitely a highlight on our first trip to Belize. Swimming and climbing through the caves as the ancient Maya did was truly mind blowing. The caves themselves are just magnificent. When you reach the chamber where all of the remains are, you will need to pinch yourself - it’s INSANE how everything has been naturally preserved! Thanks to our experienced guide Edward for safely leading us through and sharing the amazing history of the ATM caves. Lunch is super delicious too! Make sure you grab breakfast or a snack before leaving Hopkins, because it’s a late lunch after a LONG day of physical activity/driving.

The whole experience was exhilarating. The hike to the cave involved crossing the river 3 times (swimming and walking). One enters the cave swimming and the fun starts. Manuvering the cave, squeezing between tiny pathways and crevices, in and out of the water. Then seeing the Mayan ritual site. Our guide was very knowledgeable and informed us of the history as well as the geology of the cave.

Lots of reviews on the ATM cave, definitely worth the hype. Filled with river crossings, climbing up boulders with it in caves, seeing human remains, with the occasional snake sighting and shimmying through crevices while submerged almost neck deep underwater — definitely the most exciting activity ice ever been on. No cameras were allowed by policy so cant share the incredible views.. but believe the hype. If you only have time for one activity let this be the one. Our tour guide was Edward, and not only was he extremely experienced and knowledgeable, but our day was filled with laughs and awesome stories. As for our experience with get to know belize adventures, they were very communicative and helpful. Our driver Greg was amazing, and we ended up booking multiple tours with them during our vacation!

Literally crawling through tight spaces in a dark cave, often in water, sometimes up to your neck! Be aware of how intense this tour is, as it's definitely not for everyone. We had a group of very adventurous young adults, plus two teens and two older adults, and they all said it was an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience.