The Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave is one of Belize’s best adventures. The cave plunges four miles deep into the earth and involves hiking, climbing, spelunking, and swimming.
The ATM Cave is the highlight of my Belize trip, and here, I share firsthand tips on preparing for it. This post covers:
- ๐ ATM Cave overview
- ๐ How to visit the cave
- ๐ฆบ Cave’s safety and difficulty
- ๐ก How to prepare
- ๐งฆ What to wear and pack
Planning a trip? Here’s what to know about Belize.
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Belize’s ATM Cave at a Glance
Before getting into safety tips and what to pack, here is some general information on the ATM Cave to help you plan your trip.
๐ง๐ฟ What Is the ATM Cave Known For?
The Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave (ATM), also known as the Cave of the Stone Sepulcher, is a sacred site in Belize, Central America.
The ATM Cave has significant archaeological and cultural importance. Historically, the Maya used it for ritual offerings and ceremonies, so it contains Mayan artifacts and sacrificial human remains.
Cameras and photos are not permitted during the ATM Cave tour, so it’s rare to see recent tourist photos of the experience.
๐Where Is the ATM Cave Located?
The ATM Cave is located in the Cayo district inside the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, about 20 miles east of San Ignacio, a popular Belize mainland town.
Check out other great things to do in San Ignacio.
๐ How To Visit the ATM Cave
Due to the ATM Cave’s cultural importance and delicate nature, you’re required to have a tour guide to access and explore the cave. A typical tour group size is eight people or fewer per guide.
There are only about 25 licensed guides for the ATM Cave tour in Belize. Most of them have been doing this excursion for over a decade as it requires extensive training.
There are several ATM tour companies to choose from. Some of the best-rated ones are:
- MayaWalks (the operator I booked and can recommend)
- Cayo Inland Expeditions
- Belize Family Adventure
- Belize Caving Expeditions
Only 125 people are allowed in the ATM Cave per day. During the high season (late November to mid-April), it’s not uncommon for the ATM Cave to be booked out, so itโs a good idea to book ahead. You cannot book tickets at the entrance; all tickets must be booked through an operator.
โ๏ธ Best Time To Visit the ATM Cave
The best and most popular time to visit the ATM Cave is during Belize’s dry season, which runs from December to May.
If you visit during the low season, the ATM Cave can be rained out at the last minute. However, you can negotiate tour prices better during the rainy season, which is what I did.
Learn what it’s like to visit Belize during the rainy season.
โณ How Long Does the ATM Cave Take?
All ATM Cave tours take an entire day. The full-day tour starts at 8 am and ends around 4 pm, but you’ll only be inside the cave for approximately three hours.
See below for details on how the tour breaks down.
๐ฐ How Much Does Visiting the ATM Cave Cost?
The ATM Cave tour typically costs $115 to $125 USD. The price includes the licensed guide, transportation, and lunch.
I paid $110 USD, making it the most expensive activity I did in Belize.
I traveled to Belize during the wet season, so the tour company offered a slight discount if I booked on the spot.
๐ช How Difficult Is the ATM Cave?
The ATM Cave requires a level of hiking, swimming, climbing, and spelunking that fit people can appreciate, but it is also very accessible.
- Claustrophobia and inability to swim are not issues โ The ATM Cave guides are known to have been able to accommodate visitors who don’t know how to swim or are claustrophobic.
You do not need to be a strong swimmer to visit the cave, and the guides will provide life jackets.
- Kids are welcome โ However, they’re required to be at least 40 inches in height.
- It’s not recommended for everyone โ Guides do not recommend doing the ATM Cave tour if you’re pregnant, have a walking disability, or have a heart condition.
If the ATM Cave is not your cup of tea, check out Xunantunich by horseback.
โก๏ธ Is the ATM Cave Safe?
The ATM Cave is generally considered safe to visit because you must go with a licensed guide who has undergone extensive training. You’re also provided with the necessary equipment (e.g., a helmet with lights and a life jacket).
ATM Caveโs Safety Risks
However, there are always associated risks when going on adventures like this one. For example, you can get injured if you hit a rock while wading through water, get lost if you stray from your guide or group, or panic if you realize it feels too claustrophobic.
Although rare, there have been incidents related to the ATM Cave in the past:
- January 2023 โ Tourists were trapped inside the cave because the water level rose significantly. When the Belize rescue team arrived, the water had subsided, and everyone got out safely.
- 2018 โ A small group of tourists were trapped inside the cave for about 9 hours due to a flash flood and were safely rescued.
- 2017 โ A 68-year-old tourist died while crossing a river before reaching the mouth of the cave. The tourist felt lightheaded and was rushed to the hospital, where he died.
Is the ATM Cave Worth Visiting?
The ATM Cave is my most memorable experience in Belize.
To help you decide whether itโs worth visiting the cave, below are the experienceโs highlights and lowlights.
๐๐ป Highlights of the ATM Cave
Here are some of the best things about the ATM Cave:
- It’s a sacred cave recognized worldwide โ Per National Graphic, the ATM Cave is among the world’s top 10 sacred caves. It not only holds cultural significance, but it also has interesting natural cave formations.
- The cave’s history is fascinating โ You get to see and learn about the Mayan people and their human sacrifices in close contact. None of the ancient artifacts or remains are behind glass like they would be at a museum.
- It’s a unique experience โ If you’ve never gone spelunking (i.e., cave exploration) before, this is a rare opportunity to do it safely with a guide.
- It can be very adventurous โ Visiting the cave combines hiking, swimming, and climbing. If you’re lucky like me, your group might even get to take the more adventurous and challenging route since there are several options.
๐๐ป Lowlights of the ATM Cave
Here are some of the worst things about the ATM Cave:
- You will be wet, and you might get cold โ Throughout the tour, you will be in water about 80% of the time. If the weather doesn’t hold up, you might be a bit cold. I get cold easily and felt fine, but I can see it getting chilly during cooler temperatures.
- It will be crowded โ The ATM Cave is one of Belize’s top attractions, so it is never empty. The area around the artifacts and skeletal remains will be the most crowded. Your group can also only move as fast as the slowest person.
How To Prepare for the ATM Cave
During the ATM Cave tour, youโll hike, swim, and climb. Since 80% of your time will be in water, it’s important to pack correctly.
Here’s what to expect on the ATM Cave tour and how to prepare for each step:
๐ Pickup and Drive (8โ9 am)
Your guide will pick you up at a meeting point in San Ignacio and drive you to the start of the hike. They’ll make a quick stop for snacks along the way.
Bring cash if you want to buy snacks.
๐ฆบ Gear Up (9โ9:15 am)
At the starting location, youโll gear up (e.g., put on helmets and life vests) and leave all your belongings in the vehicle (e.g., cell phones and sunscreen).
Phones and cameras are prohibited on the hike or inside the ATM Cave, so be prepared to leave them behind. Bring a small bag to hold all your stuff.
๐ฅพ Easy Hike (9:15โ10 am)
Youโll do an easy 45-minute hike thatโs mostly shaded toward the cave entrance. During the hike, you’ll cross three river crossings that range from shin to chest-high.
Don’t bother applying sunscreen or insect repellent. It will wash right off during the river crossings (the first crossing is within a minute of the start of the hike).
๐ฆ Cave Exploration (10โ1 pm)
Once you get to the cave entrance, you’ll be asked to leave behind water bottles or snacks you brought with you. Then, you’ll have to do a short swim in deep water to enter the cave.
Then, you’ll explore the cave and reach the famed “Crystal Maiden” skeletal remains as you hear about the 10+ human sacrifices. When approaching the Maya artifacts, you’ll have to take off your shoes and walk with just socks on for preservation purposes.
Something that is not advertised is that the ATM Cave has multiple routes. Your guide will assess and choose the route that best fits your groupโs overall comfort and fitness level.
- Adventurous routes โ These routes include crawling through tight crevices, swimming in the dark, and more. My group took this route, and we had a blast.
- Accessible routes โ These routes mainly involve walking through water, but youโll still need to watch for shin-splitting rocks. I saw most groups take this route.
๐ฅพ Cave Exit and Hike Back (1โ2 pm)
You’ll exit the cave and hike your way back to the vehicle.
If your eyes are sensitive, it’s a good idea to pack sunglasses as you switch from darkness to daylight when exiting the cave.
๐ Dry Off and Lunch (2โ3 pm)
Back at the vehicle, youโll dry off and switch to dry clothes. Thereโs a bathroom facility with spacious stalls.
Your tour operator will have lunch ready in a picnic area near the jungle’s parking lot. This is a good time to apply insect repellent.
๐ Drive Back (3โ4 pm)
The tour ends with the drive back to San Ignacio.
Bring cash to tip your guide. Tipping is customary in Belize.
What To Wear and Bring to the ATM Cave
Since you’ll be in water 80% of the time and doing activities ranging from hiking and swimming to climbing and spelunking, it’s important to wear and pack the right clothes for the ATM Cave tour.
This ATM Cave packing list is split into two lists:
- Items that you need to wear and bring on the tour
- Items that you need to bring but leave behind in the vehicle
๐งฆ What To Wear and Bring to the ATM Cave’s Hike
Here’s what you need to bring and wear during the hike and cave exploration portion of the ATM Cave tour:
- Closed-toe shoes โ You are required to wear closed-toe shoes. Here are three tips on what kind of shoes to wear:
- Water shoes are adequate as long as they have some traction or grip. I bought these water shoes for the ATM Cave, which worked well. My friend bought these water shoes with more traction and thought they worked well.
- I considered getting Keens, but having done the tour, I now think they’re overkill. Some people wore them and said they liked the extra protection.
- Tennis shoes are not recommended unless you donโt mind having wet shoes for a while.
Some tour operators, like MayaWalks, will provide shoes as part of the package. They have a limited supply, and the shoes may not be as comfortable.
- A moisture-wicking top โ A tank, short-sleeve, or long-sleeve shirt is appropriate. Most people wore tanks or short sleeves, but the guides wore long sleeves for some warmth, so I copied them. I wore my moisture-wicking sun hoodie.
The ATM Cave can initially be a bit cold, but overall, you’ll be moving around and won’t feel cold, even when in the water.
- Swimsuit โ Youโll wear your bathing suit underneath your top. Bikinis or a one-piece both work.
Bikinis are technically not allowed, but no one will bother you as long as you have a top covering your bikini, which is what I did.
- Shorts or leggings โ Most people wore shorts during the tour. If youโre concerned about scratches during the cave exploration, wear leggings or long pants. I wore quick-dry shorts, and that was sufficient for me.
- Socks โ As mentioned above, you’re required to wear socks during some portions of the ATM Cave for cave preservation purposes. You can wear them from the start or bring them along until you need to switch to them.
Consider bringing throwaway socks if you donโt want to deal with wet or muddy socks afterward.
- Reusable water bottle โ The guides recommend bringing snacks and a water bottle on the hike to the cave. I carried my insulated reusable water bottle, which kept my water cold for hours.
- Snacks โ Your guide will make a stop for snacks before the hike.
๐ What To Bring and Leave in the Vehicle
There are items that you will need to bring to the ATM Cave tour and leave behind in the vehicle before the start of the hike:
- Dry shoes โ You’ll want to change into dry shoes after the tour. I wore my Chacos, which allowed my feet to air dry.
- Quick dry towel โ This is for drying off after the hike. I brought these quick dry towels, which worked great throughout my Belize trip.
- Cash โ Bring cash to tip the guide afterward. The guide will also be the driver.
In Belize, tipping is welcomed and appreciated but not mandatory. A 10% to 15% tip from tourists is standard. See more tips on using cash in Belize.
- Plastic bag โ Bring a bag to hold wet clothes. I bought cheap dry sacks specifically for this trip.
- Change of clothes (optional) โ If you want to wear something other than what you initially had on, bring a change of clothes.
- First aid kit (optional) โ This is for any scratches you get during the cave exploration. I brought one with me but didnโt use it.
- Sunglasses (optional) โ I didnโt bring sunglasses and don’t think they’re necessary, but some people liked them for the hike back after being in a dark cave.
- Bug spray (optional) โ You wonโt need bug spray for the hike and cave (itโll get washed off), but you might want it for lunch since you’ll eat in an open-air area. I get bitten often and think bug-repellent lotion works better than spray alternatives.
The Belize trip planner below has this packing list in a downloadable Notion.
What Not To Pack for the ATM Cave
Here’s what not to pack for the ATM Cave:
- Dry bag for carrying things โ You are not allowed to carry a bag during the hike or cave, but I brought them to isolate my wet clothes after the tour.
- Waterproof phone case โ Phones are not allowed during the hike or cave exploration. They are very strict about this.
- Sunscreen โ Sunscreen will wash off at the beginning of the hike, and you wonโt need it for the cave or lunch since the area is shaded.
Belize Trip Planner
To make your travel planning easier, download the trip planner below and use it as a starting point. The planner has country-specific travel information, an itinerary, a packing list, and a map with key places pinned.
The trip planner is built on Notion, which I use for all my travel planning (I genuinely love this tool). If you don’t have Notion, creating an account is free.
If you have any questions or thoughts, feel free to leave a comment below.
Belize Travel Guides
- ๐ง๐ฟ Belize Travel Tips: 10 Practical Things To Know
- ๐ One Week in Belize: Itinerary + 12 Great Things To Do
- ๐ฐ My 2024 Belize Trip Cost: A Budget Breakdown
- ๐ ATM Cave Belize: What To Wear & Firsthand Tips
- ๐ Horseback Riding to Xunantunich: An Honest Review
- ๐ง๏ธ Visiting Belize in Its Rainy Season: What To Know & Pack
Lists by Lukiih is Readers-Supported
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I do not know how to swim. Is it necessary to know in order to take a ATM tour?
Hey Ana, you will feel more comfortable if you know how to swim for the ATM tour, but since you’re in a life jacket and the actual swimming portion is small and brief, it’s not necessary to know how to swim. The licensed ATM tour guides know how to accommodate non-swimmers. Good luck!