Barton Creek Cave Reserve

We rented a car and drove to Barton Creek Cave. Mike's restaurant and bar is open Mon - Fri. Canoes are 7 days. We were ready for a beer after the trip there! There will be a sign to take dry road or wet road. We took advice and took wet road. The staff at Mike's said dry road is worse. From the point we left paved road, down very bumpy curvy road and crossed two rivers it took us 45 minutes. We go slow to protect our SUV. One SUV coming out was driving fast. They were also dragging their muffler. They potholes are worse than crossing 6" water on rock bed. Locals are available with all the equipment for a tour $80 per person. We held big flashlights. I liked that to be able to point wherever you want in the cave. The guide was very knowledgeable and told stories of the Maya culture. The tour is a bit over an hour, very relaxing. Just the thing to get us ready for that ride back. I would recommend this tour. The cave is different from other caves. Huge!

This is a cool place where you can paddle in a canoe with a guide into the first part of the cave system. The whole system is apparently 9 miles long, but you can paddle into the cave about 900m. There are Mayan artifacts in the cave, but its probably more impressive for the giant cathedral like cave. Very impressive. The drive into the site is a bit dodgy on dirt roads, that include two river crossings. We went with a local guide who drove across safely. Wouldn't want to take my own vehicle (or hire car).

Review of Barton Creek Cave Barton Creek Cave is an extraordinary destination that combines natural beauty, adventure, and fascinating history. The journey into the cave is nothing short of magical, with the crystal-clear blue water setting the scene as you paddle gently through the towering limestone formations. The cave’s wildlife adds to the excitement—bats flit overhead, creating a unique and slightly eerie atmosphere, and during our tour, we even spotted a large spider, which made the experience feel even more adventurous. One of the most fascinating aspects of the cave is its deep historical and cultural significance. Inside, we saw a skull from a Maya sacrificial ritual that took place centuries ago. Learning about the cave’s role in Maya ceremonies and its sacred importance was both humbling and awe-inspiring. Barton Creek Cave is a must-visit for those who love nature, history, and adventure. It’s a unique experience that blends stunning scenery with a glimpse into the ancient past, making it one of the most memorable activities in Belize.

This adventure was well worth it. Getting there was an adventure just by itself. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the surrounding geography and the cave interior. The canoe ride was navigated over water that was crystal clear and calm. Once inside the cave, our headlamps were needed to illuminate the cave and the many things to see. This is a must-see trip. I will always remember this place.

Beautiful and Relaxing cave canoeing experience. Alex was a great guide, very informative and custom out tour to information we wanted. No paddling necessary! The cave itself is enormous and so much history and some embedded artifacts to view. Back at Mikes Place, Carlos and Carlos Jr were great hosts and very helpful as we experienced a mishap arriving to the cave. They went above and beyond to help us. Would highly recommend this cave tour and spending some time on Mikes property. It is surely an amazing spot!

Excellent guided tour from Blancaneaux Lodge early in the morning. We had the entire place to ourselves and didn't see anyone else until we exited the cave. An absolute must if visiting the area.

We came here during the dry season (March) and had to drive on dirt roads (not bad ones) and through two small rivers (you'll want an all whee drivel SUV) to get to Mike's Place. We didn't have a guide booked in advance so we had to wait around for a half hour or so. There's a little walk to wander and a restaurant. Our guide was great! He had lots of information to share, kept it PG for the kids and answered all our questions. We canoed about 1 km into the cave and saw some nice formations and Mayan artifacts (not too many). Lights were provided although we did have our own headlamps too. There were maybe two other groups we passed, which was nice and kept the experience quiet. Our guide said it is busier on a weekend. And he said if you want to see bigger bats - not just insect bats - try to be on one of the first two tours. You can swim in the water outside the cave after (there are little fish in there and both shallow and deep areas), so bring a towel and swimsuit. Swimming could be a good idea to do after you've ordered food as it takes a while. We had fresh coconuts chopped off a tree just for us!

2nd time here. Just as awesome as the first time. Nice and mellow and relaxing.