Top San Ignacio Underground Tours

Journey into the heart of the Mayan underworld at the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave. Departing from San Ignacio, this guided, action-packed 9-hour tour kicks off with a 45-minute, physically intense jungle hike through the Tapir Nature Reserve to the entrance of the cave. Swim, climb, and spelunk your way through astonishing caverns into the depths of the cave, where you’ll get an up-close look at artifacts and offerings used in ancient Mayan ceremonies. Round-trip transport and riverside lunch are included. Please note this tour isn't recommended for those with a fear of enclosed spaces or heights.

Explore the cave of the crystal sepulcher on a full-day tour to Actun Tunichil Muknal from San Ignacio, and discover a spiritual site that was sacred to the ancient Maya. Learn about the traditions and rites that took place in the cave system and visit the crystallized remains of an ancient ceremonial victim as you hike deep into the cave with a professional guide. Swim through a spring-fed pool, and follow tunnels, passageways and yawning chambers lined with stalactites, stalagmites, ancient ceramics and stoneware.

See for yourself why Belize’s Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave is named one of the top caves in the world on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. After a hike through the jungle, swim across the flooded cave entrance to enter a complex system of underground caverns and tunnels that are only accessible with a licensed guide. Inside, with only a headlamp for light, walk among ancient Mayan artifacts and crystallized human remains.

Step back in time to the powerful peak of the ancient Mayan civilization with this guided 3-hour tour of the Xunantunich ruins. Let your imagination run wild as you explore the temples, plazas, and royal palaces of the famed archaeological site by foot. From the top of the imposing El Castillo pyramid, take in panoramic views of the surrounding Belize River Valley and the ancient city below. Round-trip transport from your San Ignacio hotel is included.

Enjoy an easy, economical exit from Belize with this shared departure transfer from your San Ignacio hotel to Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE). This prompt, door-to-door shuttle service will pick you up at your hotel and take you directly to the international airport near Belize City, approximately a 1.5-hour ride.

Explore the dominion of the ancient Maya in Belize on a full-day tour from San Ignacio. Climb to the top of sacred pyramids and learn about the once-mighty civilization at the archaeological site of Xunantunich, and enter a portal to the Mayan underworld on a cave tubing adventure that takes you splashing through the crystalline caverns of an underground cave system. Round-trip transport from San Ignacio Town and lunch are included on this tour.

Float through a flooded cave system then soar through the jungle canopy on a full-day combination tubing and ziplining adventure from San Ignacio with a small group. Hike through a lush forest to reach the Caves Branch River, then float alongside your guide as you explore the natural formations, glittering crystals and stalactites inside a spacious series of caverns. Swap your inner tube for a harness, then strap in to a series of exciting ziplines that take you from tree to tree with a bird’s-eye view of the forest floor. 

Awaken your inner archaeologist as you explore the sprawling Mayan ruins of Caracol. Departing from San Ignacio, you’ll journey deep into the jungles of Belize to the Chiquibul Forest Reserve — home to one of the largest Mayan sites in the country. Your expert guide will illuminate the fascinating history of Caracol, which was once a mighty city and a rival of neighboring Tikal in Guatemala. Explore magnificent plazas, temples, palaces, and an observatory while learning about the social and religious practices of the ancient Mayans. Round-trip transport from your San Ignacio hotel is included on this full-day tour.

Float down a pristine river in the heart of the jungle with a full-day tubing and caving trip from San Ignacio. Strap on a helmet equipped with a waterproof headlamp, and hike into a cave entrance surrounded by lush foliage. Follow a gentle stream through a series of cavern passages, learn about the rich Maya history of the region, then enjoy a cool swim in the clear water. Visit a final cave to see a thriving bat colony and fantastic rock formations before returning to San Ignacio.

Discover some of Belize’s top natural attractions with ease on an 8.5-tour of Crystal Cave (Mountain Cow Cave) in the Blue Hole National Park from San Ignacio. Following a moderately challenging hike, you’ll descend to Xibalba, the reputed entrance to the Mayan underworld, and marvel at stalagmites, stalactites, and crystal formations. Plus, you’ll swim in the Blue Hole and enjoy a hearty lunch accompanied by rum punch.

Explore the mysteries of the Mayan underworld with an expedition to Crystal Cave in Belize’s Blue Hole National Park. On this full-day trip from San Ignacio, a professional guide will lead you along a lush jungle trail to the cave entrance, where you’ll spelunk your way through glistening limestone formations and encounter ceremonial artifacts left behind by the ancient Maya. When you emerge back into the daylight, take a refreshing dip in the beautiful Blue Hole, a natural sinkhole surrounded by towering tropical forest. Lunch and round-trip transport from San Ignacio are included.

On this guided combination tour from Belize City, explore the City of Xunantunich and go tubing or kayaking through an underground cave system. First, visit El Castillo, which is adorned with stucco friezes depicting the gods before heading on an inner tube or kayak to navigate Caves Branch, an archeological reserve consisting of a network of limestone caves.

With a 50,000 acre estate boasting one of the most bird filled locations in Belize, Caves Branch Jungle Lodge is an exception spot to add valuable species to your eBird account. Bring your favorite binoculars and come spend the day in the company of some of Belize's best birding guides.

The ONLY Cave Tubing of it's kind in Belize- which offers a fully packed 4 hours inside one cave- exploring various chambers and viewing sacred ancient Mayan objects, pottery, ceremonial centers and brilliant crystal formations.

Get an intimate glimpse into the coves and crevices of Belize’s intricate cave network during a private canoeing tour of Barton Creek Cave. Opting for a private canoe tour allows you to set the pace of your paddling as you listen to tales of Mayan history and culture from your guide. Plus, hotel pickup and drop-off allow you to skip the hassle of hiring a car and finding a meeting point.

Discover a new side of your favorite foods! See the gingers in bloom. Smell the all-spice leaf. Touch the vanilla orchid. Taste the cacao fruit.

The Caves Branch Botanical Gardens were created in 2008 by Ella Baron and the Caves Branch Jungle Lodge to bring awareness to the general public about the beauty and importance of Belizean flora and fauna. Visitors to the garden have the great opportunity to smell the lemongrass and all-spice leaves, see the coffee, cacao, papaya and pineapple growing, at various times of the year, along the sides of the walkways through the gardens. We specialize in native epiphytes, such as orchids and bromeliads (air plants) and have the largest collection of these plants in the country.

Combine two top Belize adventures into one memorable day on a tour from San Ignacio that starts with a visit to the Xunantunich Mayan ruins, once a major trading center and home to Belize’s highest Mayan temple. Learn about the site’s amazing history on a guided tour, and then gear up for underground cave tubing and a relaxing float down the Caves Branch River.