A.T.M Cave (Actun Tunichil Muknal) from San Pedro
Overview
Actun Tunichil Muknal (Cave of the Stone Sepulchre) dubbed by National Geography as the top sacred cave to explore in the world; should be on your bucket list! Your journey starts from La Isla Bonita San Pedro by sea on San Pedro Belize Express water ferry or by air on Maya Island Air; the choice is yours. Our guides will meet you upon mainland arrival in Belize City. From here, it’s a 90-minute drive in air-conditioned comfort until your arrival at the ranger outpost. Here, our guides will provide you with a helmet, headlamp, and life jacket if needed. When geared up, it’s now time to hike, wade and swim the sacrificial Mayan underworld of the ATM. There’s 3 river crossing and a 30-minute hike, which will bring you to an hourglass entrance. From here, the cave system spans approximately 3 miles with stalactites, stalagmites, jarring boulders and fresh water streams from ankle to waist deep. When in the cave its time for exploration!!!
Inclusions
- Entrance Fee
- Juices
- Private Guide
- Transportation
- Water
- Entry/Admission - Actun Tunichil Muknal
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Actun Tunichil Muknal, Tea Kettle Village Belize
Actun Tunichil Muknal (Cave of the Stone Sepulcher) dubbed by National Geography as the top sacred cave to explore in the world; should be on your bucket list!
Duration: 1 minute
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Actun Tunichil Muknal, Tea Kettle Village Belize
Actun Tunichil Muknal (Cave of the Stone Sepulcher) dubbed by National Geography as the top sacred cave to explore in the world; should be on your bucket list!
Duration: 1 minute
Additional information
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have a strong physical fitness level
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Colleen W
July 2023
Unbelizable! Best cave tour I’ve ever done. We booked thru Ramon’s Dive Resort & our guide was the amazing Francisco with Ancient Cultural Tours. Francisco is passionate & loves his history. He makes the tour extra special by taking you back in time, as if you were a Mayan. Human sacrifices & sor...
Unbelizable! Best cave tour I’ve ever done. We booked thru Ramon’s Dive Resort & our guide was the amazing Francisco with Ancient Cultural Tours. Francisco is passionate & loves his history. He makes the tour extra special by taking you back in time, as if you were a Mayan. Human sacrifices & sorid history makes for a fascinating 4 hours. How about turning off your headlamp so you can experience what it must have been like for the Mayans with no light & a couple torches? Francisco makes the story come alive. Its approx a half hour hike to the cave, 45-60 mins in the cave & same coming back out. 30 min van ride from the store. It’s a full day! Oh - lunch was amazing too. It’s pretty cool - only 125 people admitted each day to control over tourism. Belize is doing it right. Google Ancient Cultural Tours & you’ll find Francisco. Tips that we didn’t know: - No cameras are allowed! - Take an extra set of clothes - No 2 piece bathing suits allowed - You meet at a store to transfer to your guide so snacks, beer, extra is available - An Unbelizable day that you soon won’t forget!252bradleyg
April 2022
We had such a great experience! If is definitely a full day coming from San Pedro but we had a great time! Thank you Orlando!
We had such a great experience! If is definitely a full day coming from San Pedro but we had a great time! Thank you Orlando!529bryanp
July 2021
I was told that National Geographic said that this is one of the top 10 things to do/see before you die and after entering the cave, I totally understand why! To see the skeletal remains of human sacrifices from the Mayan Era, you need to walk, hike, wade through water, swim, climb, squeeze throu...
I was told that National Geographic said that this is one of the top 10 things to do/see before you die and after entering the cave, I totally understand why! To see the skeletal remains of human sacrifices from the Mayan Era, you need to walk, hike, wade through water, swim, climb, squeeze through cracks, etc.. but it's all worth it! Definitely do this tour if you're in Belize!521danad
July 2021
Have you ever seen old photos of people climbing up one of the great pyramids of Giza or sitting on top of a stone at Stonehenge and thought, "what a shame they don't let tourists do that anymore (preservation and all that) -that would be so cool!" Well, here is an experience like those. Summo...
Have you ever seen old photos of people climbing up one of the great pyramids of Giza or sitting on top of a stone at Stonehenge and thought, "what a shame they don't let tourists do that anymore (preservation and all that) -that would be so cool!" Well, here is an experience like those. Summon your inner Indiana Jones and spend the day exploring one of the world's treasures. Here's what you need to know: If you are claustrophobic or afraid of heights (there is climbing) this may not be for you. TAKE SOCKS! I didn't read the instructions well and had to stop and buy some. You also need shoes appropriate for walking, climbing and wading. Make sure you bring a small towel and a change of clothes (dry shoes!) The instructions we received were not very clear. We traveled from San Pedro and it was unclear about times, travel modes, etc. I had to squelch my Karen tendencies and just go with the flow. YOU NEED TO BE IN DECENT SHAPE! I am in pretty good shape and this was still tough, although I was not sore the next day or anything. The guide will ensure you stay safe and get where you need to, no matter what. So don't let your fitness level worry you too much. LARGER FOLKS MAY STRUGGLE A BIT. My husband and I are both tall and, if we hadn't had helmets, we would have knocked our brains a bit (oh, the irony). We are both normal weights and there were some tight squeezes. If you are bigger, just be aware. Again, I'm sure the guides have helped people of all sizes and abilities. If you are going from San Pedro, you'll have to take the sea ferry, which is a different company and boat than the water taxi. It is still 90 minutes. To prepare yourself for this experience before you come, get a steel drum, heat it up to 85 degrees, seal yourself in, and roll it down a rocky hill for an hour and a half. Once you are on the boat, grab a life vest and sit on it. It will pad the worst knocks. Unlike the boat trip, the ride from Belize City to the site was fine. We were met by our driver, Paul, who took us from the station to the ATM turnoff. He showed us several sites and was very fun. On the way back, we both needed naps and he didn't bother us. At the turnoff for ATM, Paul dropped us off at a store. You can use the restroom (it costs) but, if you can hold it another 30 minutes, just wait. Seriously. At the turnoff, we met our tour guide, Orlando, who took down dirt roads to the trailhead. He pointed out the plants, crops, and trees, told us about the history of the area, and about some current events. NO CAMERAS ALLOWED. Stupid tourists ruin everything. You cannot take a camera with you on your excursion. Make sure your mind camera is fully charged because you will want to remember what you saw. The hike to the cave was very easy. Right off the bat, you cross a river. It was waist high but easy to manage -there is a rope to hold. There are two more crossings but they are ankle-deep. Just be aware the rocks are slippery. You will have to swim about 4 meters at the entrance to the cave. Then there is a lot of walking through water, squeezing through rocks, and climbing. You definitely get your exercise! Cave critters: I was a bit nervous about "things" that might be in the water or the cave. No worries. There were tiny fish in the water but nothing bad. We saw one bat flying about 20 feet above us and that was only because Orlando pointed it out. I was half expecting to see Gollum at some point but...nope. I won't describe the cave more. You just have to see it. No spoilers. After we came out, we had a delicious lunch and headed back to the trailhead. This was truly an adventure I will never forget.PattiM8
July 2022
This adventure rates up there as one of my favourite lifetime memories! It was a bit scary but thrilling. Don’t think about it…just do it! It was worth every penny.
This adventure rates up there as one of my favourite lifetime memories! It was a bit scary but thrilling. Don’t think about it…just do it! It was worth every penny.