Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour: Explore Ancient Maya Traditions and Ceremonies
4.9
747 Ratings
San Ignacio
Embark on a captivating journey through Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, where you'll uncover the ancient Maya's intriguing traditions, ceremonies, and spirituality. Discover stunning artifacts and the crystallized remains of the sacrificed girl, The Crystal Maiden.
Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
What's Included
  • Rum punch
  • Includes transportation to and from our office in San Ignacio
  • Explore the cave with an expert, specially licensed guide
  • All necessary equipment
  • 3-hour walking tour of cave system
  • Lunch with a drink
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off only if requested
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Actun Tunichil Muknal is a mysterious and beautiful portal to the ancient Maya and their traditions, ceremonies and spirituality. This cave system served as a ceremonial site where the Maya performed sacrifices and other ceremonies as they dealt with extreme and harsh conditions in times of drought.

Explore this lush area surrounded by beautiful jungles, and the cave entrance is traversed by swimming across a crystal clear spring fed pool. Spend 3 hours in the cave after hiking in through the rain forest. Here you will see stunning artifacts, altars and the crystallized skeletons of the sacrificed girl, The Crystal Maiden.

  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Cancellations only due to severe rain or flooding
  • Guests must wear appropriate (Closed toe) shoes for walking through jungle and water
  • Guests must bring a pair of socks for the dry chamber in the cave
  • Minimum height requirement is 40inches
  • Vegetarian meal option available upon request
  • Bring along a change of dry clothes to be worn after the tour. This is a wet tour.
  • Clothes to be worn for the tour needs to be modest to respect the cave.
  • Eco friendly bug repellent is optional (Apply only if needed)
  • No cameras/ electronics are allowed on the hike and/or on in the cave.
  • Bring along a water bottle. We will have water available to refill your bottles.
  • Have a good breakfast before the tour. Lunch will be late.
Location
Mayawalk Tours
Burns Avenue
Directions: MayaWalk Tours Main Office located between Tandoor Restaurant and Belize Bank Return point: Returns to original departure point
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(747 Ratings)
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Alexsj4568uz
Apr 10, 2024
Once in a lifetime experience, a must for any traveler !! - The views and sights were amazing ! This was definitely an adventure that I would experience again. The hike thru the jungle, climbing and crawling into the caves definitely made me feel like a real life Indiana Jones ! The guide was super informative , friendly and funny. He made the tour very enjoyable and exciting. This was definitely one off my bucket list that I would do again .
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christopher_m
Apr 7, 2024
Really fun trip. We have... - Really fun trip. We have 4 kids and we were worried it might be too tough for our youngest who is 7, however she did great with some extra assistance. It’s a fun adventure and culturally very rich as well, I can’t imagine how long they can continue this tour without artifacts getting damaged or stolen however.
Review provided by Viator
Lightpacker696287
Apr 6, 2024
Hightlight of Trip! - EPIC! So well done. Eric, JC & Tate were our trio, and Eric was our little group's guide. We did the challenging but oh-so rewarding more advanced route in the cave. Eric's historical knowledge and guide prowess gave us the highlight of an overwhelmingly extraordinary time in Belize. MayaWalk was good to work with.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mario_g
Apr 5, 2024
Once in a lifetime experience ! - Yes it’s quite intense and intimidating at certain spots. But it’s definitely one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever experienced. Our guide Hue was great. And Maya walks had probably some of the best equipment in comparison to other groups.
Review provided by Viator
Ryan
Apr 4, 2024
Junior and MayaWalk are amazing tour guides! - We booked this tour fairly last minute with MayaWalk. It’s hard to please a 16-year old and adults, and this fit the ticket! Junior was a fantastic, knowledgeable and funny guide. The company was professional and accommodating! This trip is filled with adventure, history and a unique experience in Belize. I’m adverse to most organized tours and would book MayaWalk again for other tours based on my experience. Our van driver (Jaheem?) and lunch chef Sadia were both wonderful and helpful as well! We were also impressed with the care and thought the Belizeans have taken in preserving their cultural heritage. The park is well-maintained and beautiful. Tips: message them in WhatsApp for questions/details. They will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel/cabanas. There are great bathrooms and changing rooms at the cave entrance.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Y2922nsroberth
Apr 2, 2024
This is a popular tour and it should be. I've never experienced anything like this. - There are only 25 people allowed to take groups into this cave. It's protected by the government, and it should be. - Make reservations - Shirts are mandatory - no cameras allowed - no shoes are worn in the skeleton area This is a place to be respectful to the existing Mayan people's heritage. The teens that were in our group were very respectful and well behaved. Everyone felt how special it was to be allowed to be in this place. Our guide was super-knowledgeable. The cave and the experience of being allowed to walk into the Mayan's "church" is indescribable. We had to remove our shoes for the final part of the tour. The part with the artifacts. But just pretend that this cave didn't have ancient skeletons and Mayan artifacts in here. It would still be a superb spelunking trip! My fiancé and I loved this trip, but it is not a simple walk in a cave. You have to climb, squeeze, scamper, etc. Load of fun for us (mid 40's) and for everyone else that the physical part didn't bother them, but in our group was an older man and woman and they had a very challenging time. Lots of bruises for them, I'm sure. I felt sorry for them and their family trying to help. They seemed quite miserable. Only go if you have no physical issues. It's just AMAZING!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Libby
Apr 1, 2024
Even our teenagers said it was EPIC - Even our teenagers rated this tour as EPIC!! The Actun Tunichil Muknal cave was truly incredible. Our guide, Aaron, was the best of the best. We did not feel rushed at all and he patiently answered all of our questions with his deep knowledge and expertise. You will truly savor your time without your phone or camera to fully immerse in the experience. Highly recommend seeing this site with MayaWalk Tours - they lead the way in knowledge, and priority for safety and conservation.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Berkeleyy2024
Mar 29, 2024
Incredible combination of nature and Mayan history! - The ATM tour with Mayawalk was amazing! The team was organized and professional from the drivers, to the lunch staff, to the guides. Penny was great and made it feel like we were the only ones in the cave even though it was peak tour time. Navigating the cave was awesome on its own, that you then get to learn about Mayan offerings to the gods and see artifacts- really an incredible experience. The tour was great for our kids (youngest is 10) and our guide Lenny answered all their questions.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q6459sycarmenl
Mar 29, 2024
10/10 - Absolutely fantastic tour. Hugh was an exceptional guide, his passion was evident and infectious. Our tour was unhurried and educational (but not to the point of being boring). Love how Belize is not further excavating the cave and are letting Mother Nature reveal artifacts as she chooses. Overall 10/10.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brittany_g
Apr 1, 2024
Experience Depends on your Tour Guide - This was a very fun tour in concept! We greatly enjoyed seeing the artifacts and appreciated the sacredness of the site. However, our guide made it not as informative or fun as it could’ve been. Our bus began with two tour guides, Lenny and Magdelleno, however we split into two groups at the cave as each guide can only lead 8 people. Unfortunately, our guide Lenny, was inattentive and went extremely fast both during the hiking portion and the wading through water/walking through the cave parts. We are athletes and it was even difficult for us to keep up. Further, at the entrance to the cave, we all were instructed to switch on our headlamps. Mine was blinking on and off, but Lenny said it should be fine. During the first section of the cave, my light was sporadically blinking on and off which in the pitch dark is dangerous and I felt very uncomfortable. Lenny finally gave me his headlamp, once I caught up to him and after I said that I could not safely walk with the defective light. Further, we had to swim through the entrance, and I cannot swim, so I was expecting a little more attention during that part, because I am still a bit nervous by deep water. He did come back and towed me into the cave, but only after I called to him to come back. I greatly wish we had been placed in the other guide’s group as he seemed very friendly and informative in the van on the way to the cave. Lenny barely said two words.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
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