Yes, the ATM Cave Belize tour is worth it if you are comfortable with getting wet, swimming and climbing through a cave. It was the main reason I stopped in San Ignacio after traveling from Flores in Guatemala, and this was definitely not a normal Maya site visit. You walk through the jungle, cross several rivers and swim into the cave before reaching chambers with Maya pottery and human remains. For me, ATM Cave was one of the days in Belize I still remember very clearly.
San Ignacio as the base for ATM Cave Belize
I arrived in San Ignacio by bus from Flores in Guatemala. It is only a few hours away, but Belize immediately felt different. English and Creole replaced Spanish, reggae was playing from the buses and the atmosphere felt much more Caribbean. San Ignacio worked well as a base for ATM Cave. I stayed two nights, walked around town and along the Macal River and found some good places to eat. If you have some time, walk through the local market near the river. Saturday is the main market day. Continue towards the bridge for a nice view over the Macal River. Cahal Pech Maya ruins are also close to town, but after Tikal I decided I had seen enough Maya ruins for a while.
It can get very warm in San Ignacio. When I visited, I cooled off with a drink by the pool at Midas Resort. Very welcome in the afternoon!
How to get to San Ignacio from Flores, Guatemala
I traveled by bus from Flores to San Ignacio. The journey took around three hours including the border crossing, and I could walk from the drop-off point to my hotel. There are different bus and shared shuttle options today. Take a morning connection if you can, so you still have some time in San Ignacio after arriving. Check the latest Flores to San Ignacio transport on 12Go before your travel day.
Do not plan anything too tight after a border crossing; in Central America I always prefer some extra time in my schedule.
My ATM Cave Belize tour from San Ignacio
I booked my ATM Cave Belize tour with MayaWalk Tours in San Ignacio. The tour takes most of the day, so keep this day completely free. After leaving San Ignacio, we drove for more than an hour towards the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. Here we received our helmets and instructions before walking into the tropical forest. I brought breakfast snacks, dry clothes, flip-flops and a towel. The walk towards ATM Cave takes around 45 minutes and we crossed the Roaring River three times. Our guide stopped along the way to tell us more about the plants and Maya culture.
Wear shoes that can get completely wet. Dry feet are not going to happen today.
Swimming and climbing inside ATM Cave
The entrance was one of my favorite moments. Turquoise water disappears underneath the dark limestone cave and then you realize you are going to swim straight into it. The water level keeps changing inside. Sometimes it reaches your ankles or knees, at other points your waist or higher. There are also sections where you need to swim. Between the water sections you climb over rocks and move through narrower parts of the cave. You do not need cave experience, but you should feel comfortable in the water and be reasonably fit. ATM Cave is popular, so do not expect to have it to yourself.
Walking into the Maya underworld
Actun Tunichil Muknal means Cave of the Stone Sepulcher. The Maya believed caves were connected to the underworld and used ATM for ceremonies and offerings to their gods. Our guide described our route as a journey through the nine levels of the Maya underworld. Hearing these stories while moving deeper into the cave made the experience even more interesting. Your headlamp lights up columns, stalactites, stalagmites and flowstones along the way. Some parts are narrow and then suddenly the cave opens up again.
Climbing into the Cathedral
One of the most impressive parts came when we climbed into a huge dry chamber called The Cathedral. Before entering the archaeological section, we had to remove our shoes and continue in socks to protect the cave floor. From here you start seeing Maya pottery and human remains still inside the cave. Our guide explained how pottery was used during Maya ceremonies and offerings. Seeing these objects where the ceremonies actually took place was fascinating. I loved The Cathedral most. After visiting the huge temples of Tikal, this showed me a completely different side of Maya culture.
Why cameras are not allowed inside ATM Cave Belize
One of the first instructions was very clear: no camera. Cameras, phones and recording equipment are prohibited inside ATM Cave after archaeological remains were damaged in the past. You can check the current ATM visitor rules on the official NICH website. The photos from inside the cave in my original article were supplied by the tour company. At first I thought it was a shame. Once you start swimming and climbing, not having to worry about a phone is actually quite practical.
How difficult is the ATM Cave tour and what should you bring?
You should be able to swim and feel comfortable on wet and uneven ground. The route includes river crossings, wading and climbing over rocks. Wear closed shoes with good grip that can get soaked. MayaWalk currently does not allow water shoes. Bring socks for The Cathedral, a towel and a full set of dry clothes. I also brought some snacks for the morning. A helmet, headlamp and life jacket are provided. Current rules allow a maximum of six visitors per certified guide.
If you have problems with your knees, back, mobility or swimming, contact the tour company before booking. There are several places where balance and climbing are needed.
Back through the cave and lunch after the tour
After several hours inside, we followed the same route back through the cave and across the Roaring River. By then I was definitely ready for food. We changed into dry clothes and had the included lunch together with the group. There was even rum punch afterwards. Combined with the long day underground, that worked perfectly as a sleeping pill for the shuttle back to San Ignacio.
How much does an ATM Cave Belize tour cost?
The shared ATM Cave tour with MayaWalk Tours currently costs USD 145 per person. The full trip takes around eight to nine hours and lunch is included. Prices can change, so check the latest rate before booking. You cannot visit ATM independently either. Access must be arranged with a licensed tour operator and certified ATM guide.
Is ATM Cave Belize worth it?
For me, definitely yes. USD 145 is a lot of money for one tour, especially if you are coming from cheaper Guatemala. But this is much more than walking through a cave. The jungle, Roaring River and Maya history make it a very different day from most other tours. Other groups will be around, but that did not bother me enough to change my opinion. If I had to choose again, I would book it.
Where to stay in San Ignacio for the ATM Cave tour
I stayed in the center of San Ignacio. The location was convenient, but I would not book the same hotel again. If I returned now, I would choose The West House Boutique Hotel. Or San Ignacio Resort has a large pool and a green setting, while downtown is still within walking distance. For something smaller, Falling Leaves Lodge is a good alternative near Cahal Pech.
Check both hotels through Booking.com or compare the same dates through Expedia before booking.
Where to eat in San Ignacio
My favorite was The Guava Limb Restaurant & Café. I had Gado Gado on the balcony overlooking the park and would definitely have returned if I had stayed longer. I also ate at Ko-Ox Han-Nah, where I had a good chicken curry. After a full day at ATM Cave, a shower and a good dinner were basically all I needed.
How many days do you need in San Ignacio?
Two nights worked well for me. Arrive from Flores, spend some time in San Ignacio, use the next full day for ATM Cave and continue through Belize the following morning. Stay longer if you want to explore more of the Cayo District. My priority here was the cave, so two nights was enough.
Let Me Inspire You Takeaways
What I remember most about ATM Cave Belize is going from the warm jungle outside to swimming into a dark cave and eventually standing inside The Cathedral. Wear good shoes, bring dry clothes and make San Ignacio your base. I would book this tour again; that probably says enough!
Continue your trip
Traveling farther into Belize? My next stop was the Belize Zoo, where you can see native Belizean wildlife surrounded by jungle. Traveling the route in the opposite direction? Cross the border into Guatemala and continue towards Tikal. After exploring the Maya world underground at ATM Cave, Tikal shows you a completely different side of Maya history.
