Barton Creek Cave & Big Rock Falls tour from San Ignacio

You paddle inside a cave that ancient Mayans used for ceremony, then swim under a 150-foot waterfall.

A full-day tour from San Ignacio combining a canoe trip through Barton Creek Cave (a stream cave with Mayan history and crystal formations), and Big Rock Falls, a cenote waterfall in Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve where you swim and relax. The tour runs 6 hours, includes a guide in English or Spanish, canoe and safety gear, lunch with Belizean cuisine, and pickup from town. Minimum two people, children from age 4 welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Barton Creek Cave3h · entry included
2. Big Rock Falls2h

Explore Barton Creek and Big Rock Falls

• Start Barton Creek canoe tour
• Observe stalagmites and stalactites
• Learn about Mayan history and geology
• Travel to Big Rock Falls
• Hike trail to waterfall valley
• Climb boulders and swim in pool
• Relax under waterfall and enjoy water massage
• Enjoy Belizean picnic lunch
• Return to San Ignacio

The experience

Barton Creek Cave is a stream cave the Mayans used for ceremonial purposes, discovered in 1970 and studied by archaeologists in 1998. You paddle a canoe through about 1 mile of the 4.5-mile cave system, most of it still unexplored, under cathedral-like ceilings studded with stalagmites and stalactites. As you enter, you pass through Mennonite farmland and see their traditional way of life. The guide explains the Mayan history, the archaeology and the geology of the formations around you. This is the relaxing part of the day: you're moving slowly through water, watching the rock work above and around you, with a headlamp to light the passage.

Big Rock Falls sits in Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, about an hour and a half from San Ignacio. It's a 150-foot waterfall that drops into a large cenote surrounded by boulders and a pool. The trail down is steep (300 yards and 130 feet of descent), but once you reach the bottom, the roar and mist of the falls take over. You can climb the rocks and jump into the pool, or stand under the waterfall itself for what the operator calls a water massage. Wildlife roams the forest around the falls, so watch for animals while you're there. Lunch (Belizean cuisine and fruit) is served picnic-style before the drive back to town.

The tour starts at 9am and runs about 6 hours total. You'll need a minimum height of 40 inches to go through the cave safely. Bring sun screen, bug spray, a camera and extra clothes to change into. The operator provides canoes, headlamps, life jackets, helmets, towels, lunch, refreshments and fruit. Children from age 4 are welcome, and infants can sit on an adult's lap or use a specialized infant seat. Pickup is included from San Ignacio.

What’s included

• Pickup from San Ignacio.
• canoe, headlamp, life jacket and helmet.
• admission to Barton Creek Cave and Big Rock Falls.
• guide in English or Spanish.
• lunch with Belizean cuisine and fruit.
• refreshments and water.
• towels.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 to 85 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Under 4: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tukan Shuttles & Adventures

Is this one for you?The 6-hour commitment means you'll spend the morning in the cave and early afternoon at the waterfall, leaving the rest of your day free for other activities in the Cayo District. If you want both caving and swimming in one outing without splitting your day across two separate tours, this pairing fits that need.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (4 to 12 years). Under 4: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Barton Creek Cave and why did the Mayans use it?

Barton Creek Cave is a stream cave near San Ignacio where ancient Mayans performed ceremonies. Discovered in 1970 and studied by archaeologists in 1998, it stretches 4.5 miles total, though the tour explores about 1 mile of it by canoe. The cave features crystal formations, stalagmites and stalactites, and the Mayan history connected to the site is explained by the guide as you paddle through.

Can I swim at Big Rock Falls, or is it just for looking?

Big Rock Falls is built for both swimming and relaxing. You can climb the boulders surrounding the 150-foot waterfall and plunge into the pool below, or stand under the cascade itself. The operator describes it as a water massage experience, and you're welcome to spend time soaking in the sound and scenery while watching for wildlife in the forest.

How long does it take to get from San Ignacio to Big Rock Falls?

It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to drive from San Ignacio to Big Rock Falls in Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve. Once you arrive, there's a trail of about 300 yards down 130 feet to reach the waterfall at the valley floor.

What's included in the tour price, and what do I need to bring?

The tour includes admission to both sites, all canoe and safety equipment (canoe, headlamp, life jacket, helmet), towels, lunch with Belizean cuisine and fruit, refreshments, and pickup from San Ignacio. Bring sun screen, bug spray, a camera, extra clothes to change into, and sturdy walking shoes.