Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM Cave)

This was worth the trip to Belize. Our guide Dimas was awesome! This is the real deal, you will be climbing wet rocks and need to keep your balance in and out of the water. The only safety measures are a helmet and your judgement, plus the guide's first aid and emergency equipment. Belize doesn't allow any type of cameras because some a couple idiot tourists dropped them on top of skulls causing obvious permanent damage and another one stepped on a human bone trying to get a better angle of another skull.

The most MUST DO thing in Belize. We did it with my two little siblings (13 and 16) and they had a blast. You have to book with a registered guide (I recommend Limpkin tours). You drive out there to the ranger station, hike out to the cave (crossing a river 3 times), swim into the cave, hike up into the cave through water (deepest at chest level), then take your shoes off as you explore the upper chamber. Truly a fantastic experience and the reverence you feel exploring this Mayan holy site is amazing.

Amazing experience— mix of adventure and culture. Has to be with a guide to get in, three river crossings, ankle to chest deep. Need to wear water shoes (or any close toes shoes you can hike and get wet in, with socks. (Or bring a pair of socks for the upper chamber of the cave.) we wore dive boots and it was great. The jungle hike, cave formations are magnificent. On top of that we learn about Maya culture and ceremonies from our guide. Some part of the cave requires climbing and swimming. The entire journey was incredible. Highly recommend. It helps to be physically fit and have an adventurous spirit. Cameras are not allowed inside. We left everything in the car. Good to go with guide as early as possible before it gets too busy.

This was an incredible experience that I highly recommend but you need to be in average physical condition and not be claustrophobic as certain passage ways are tight. Mayan artefacts and body remains are omnipresent but my favorite part was the sheer beauty of the rock formations. It is no wonder at all that the Mayans considered this place sacred. This is an all day trip. I’m sure you read about the shoes getting wet part which is an understatement! Sorry not too many pictures as no cameras, phones or anything else is allowed in the cave.

This was one of the highlights of our trip. We when with Patrick from Limpkin tours and it was fabulous and SO much fun. This is an incredibly sensitive and important archeological site and he was able to help up understand it and respect it! recommend planning to bring a pair of water shoes, bathing suit and long sleeves (rash guard, long pants work too, not a requirement but good to avoid scratching up your legs). You don’t bring ANYTHING into the cave so don’t worry about bringing a dry bag or anything special if you don’t need that for other parts of your trip.o

Was this the most breathtaking cave I’ve ever visited? No (for me, the caves in Slovenia top that list). However, it was a very unique experience, going with a local tour. I got to cross rivers with pulling currents chest-deep in the water, swim in dark caves with little light, slip through tight spaces, sometimes being “flushed down” with the sheer force of water, and climb on wet slippery rocks without shoes, while seeing some cool cave formations and ancient artifacts, including ancient human remains. Most of us banged our knees a few times on underwater rocks when swimming and wading in the caves and left with some bruises, but we all shared a very satisfying sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.

Ben with Limpkin Tours was an incredible guide - as one of the first folks guiding in this place, he had it memorized. He was full of knowledge, and was able to set a comfortable pace for us (we went quickly, but we wanted to keep a good pace). We were the first group in the caves, and it made a huge difference being the only people in some of the spots for a while. Ten out of ten experience!

Yes you cannot bring cameras or phones in, but is it still worth it. Heck yes. Stunning swim through caving experience with Mayan archeological site at the end before fun coming back. Did the tour with Mayawalk outfit from San Ignacio and my guide James was amazing. I left a more detail review on Google for them and James. Must have good running/hiking shoes you can get wet and swim in, and good socks to walk around in the archeological area where shoes are taken off before entering. Do not wear sunscreen or bug spray beforehand. You don’t need it for this tour and they want to protect the water for those communities downstream who use it for cooking, drinking, etc. Well worthwhile experience, and you must book a guided tour to enter.