Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave with Local Lunch from San Ignacio

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

7 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

Explore the hidden chambers and crystalline waters of the Mayan underworld at Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM), featured in National Geographic! Swim into the mysterious cave, which the ancient Mayas considered to be a portal to the underworld, known as Xibalba. This day trip from San Ignacio includes a 1.5-hour round-trip hike in Tapir Nature Reserve and enjoy delicious local lunch. Climb, crawl, swim, and play in the water passage as you enter the caverns, and delight in the refreshing waters of the Roaring River before and after your spelunking adventure.

Additional Info

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Minimum height requirement is 40 inches

It is recommended that you wear closed-toe shoes, comfortable clothing (short Pants, Long pants, T-shirt or long Sleeve) that can get wet, a change of clothes.

Hotel pick up and drop off is for hotels within San Ignacio town limits. For hotels outside of San Ignacio, a surcharge applies.

Pair of socks is required as portions of the cave shoes are removed.

No cameras allowed

Cancellation Policy

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

What‘s Included

Local guide

Use of all necessary equipment

Bottled water

Entrance fee

Local Lunch (Stew Chicken Rice and beans or Vegeterian option)

Juice

Air-conditioned vehicle

Gratuities

Hotel pick-up and drop-off outside of San Ignacio Town

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

It will take us an hour to drive to the parking lot. Your experienced guide leads your group on an easy 35-minute hike to the cave entrance. Walk along the bank of the Roaring River, which you’ll cross three times before arriving at the cave entrance. To prepare your group for entering the cave, your guide provides a historical overview and a safety briefing. The water passage allows you to splash and play as you wade through the water, which may come up to your ankles, knees, waist, and even neck—sometimes requiring you to swim. At one point, you’ll climb up to a ledge to enter one of the most attractive parts of the cave, where archeologists have recorded more than 1,000 pieces of pottery and 19 human sacrifices. To explore this chamber, you must remove your shoes to protect the natural surroundings, including impressive formations like rock columns, stalactites, stalagmites, citrines, and flowstones. Your guide will share fascinating details about ancient Mayan rituals and ceremonies that once occurred deep under the earth.

Options

ATM Cave late Tour

ATM Cave Late Tour
Shared Tour
Duration: 7 hours
Lunch: Water, Juice, lunch, Chips with Salsa
Air condition van or SUV
Pickup included