Belize ATM Cave Tour

The ATM cave is now a national park co-managed by the Institute of Archaeology and is one of the top tourist attractions (Adventures) in the country.

The guided trip into the famous Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave takes you deep into the underworld that the ancient Maya called "Xibalba".

The ATM Cave Tour starts with a scenic 45-minute hike through Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, wading across crystal clear rivers and hiking under the jungle canopy.

Upon reaching the natural, hourglass-shaped opening you'll know that you have arrived at the entrance of the cave. Here you’ll gear up with a helmet, headlamp, and life jacket provided by your licensed tour guide.

With a cool swim across a beautiful turquoise pool (about 15ft across), you will enter the cave.

From that point, follow your tour guide, hiking, climbing, twisting, and turning your way through the darkness of the cave for about an hour. Don't fear, you're in safe hands with Luis as he points out every possible area of injury and instructs on how to avoid them.

Witness Giant shimmering flowstone rock formations surrounded by thick, calcium-carbonate stalactites dripping from the ceiling and stalagmites growing from the cave floor.

Important information

ATM Tour Intensity Level

Tour Leaves San Ignacio at 8 A.M.

Belize ATM Cave Experience with Luis

Luis is patient in providing a fact-filled tour, a one-of-a-kind Adventure in Belize, you will never forget. His knowledge and passion for the Maya people and the cave are obvious. Looking for affordable tours to the famous skeleton cave? You've hit the jackpot with Luis and KaWiil Tour Company boasting 21 years’ experience and research in Maya history.

Luis received extensive training on this Cave system from the Belize Valley
Archaeological Reconnaissance Project (BVAR) archaeologist; Dr. Jamie Awe, Sherry Gibbs and Cameron Griffith.

Actun Tunichil Muknal Belize National Geographic documentary is difficult to find on the internet, so we included the best video we could find to offer a glimpse of the famous ATM Cave.

KaWiil Tours

4.9

Based on 18 reviews

Zach Sarnoff

16:17 25 Nov 21

I went with Luis to ATM caves and it was awesome!!

Olivia Pulsipher

02:07 11 Aug 21

We did the ATM tour, Luis was exceptionally knowledgeable... about not only this tour but many other sites in the area. We spent several hours inside the cave learning about the history. Highlight of my trip.read more

Christine Scheer

02:14 30 May 21

Incredible experience! So very happy we chose KaWiil. We... really wanted to do the cave tubing, but I was nervous since we booked so late. To my surprise, KaWiil Tours actually called me back to say that John was available to be our guide. John was on time bright and early the next morning, he even found us wandering around outside our hotel before he swept us off to the Nohoch Che'en cave. As an experienced cave explorer, super friendly dude, a natural resource management professional, and native Belizean (naturally!) we were so impressed with the way he showed us the lizards, plants, trees, birds, insects, fish and flowering plants along the trail. He took us through the caves; it was like we had the place all to ourselves! John introduced us to the bats, the swallows, kingfishers, ancient Mayan traditions, cave formations and river flow... so awesome. I was blown away. Afterwards, he bought us lunch at a cool tiki bar and filled us in on Belize history; so super. We had the BEST time. Thank you, John! You really made our visit to San Ignacio special!read more

Doss Ramsey

22:21 25 Mar 21

We had an excellent tour of the ATM cave with Luis who... managed to get two young fellas in their 20s and an old timer a few months short of 80 through without a hitch!I was pleasantly surprised by how informed Luis was regarding the cave and its history, as well as his knowledge of local plants and wildlife, other attractions, and the energy that he brought to the tour.This tour with Kawiil Tours was the highlight of our time in Belize and I'll be recommending it to anyone I know heading to San Ignacio! 10/10read more

Emma Hignett

22:54 28 Oct 19

What an incredible experience! A must if you are in Belize.... Luis, our tour guide was excellent. Very knowledgeable about the local area and the caves. Luis mainly has smaller groups, so whilst other groups had 8 people per tour guide, my partner and I were the only ones in our group. Highly recommended.read more

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