Crystal Cave & Blue Hole from San Ignacio: Underground Maya sites

Go underground to where the ancient Maya saw a passage to the underworld

A day trip from San Ignacio into Blue Hole National Park combines cave exploring in Crystal Cave with a forest hike and a swim in the inland Blue Hole. Your guide leads you through caverns lined with crystalline formations and shows you pottery, beads and obsidian blades left behind by the Maya, who believed the cave was a sacred gateway to Xibalba. The tour includes lunch, all necessary gear and round-trip hotel transport from San Ignacio.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Crystal Cave5h · entry included
2. Blue Hole National Park30m · entry included

Explore Crystal Cave and swim Blue Hole

• Hike through tropical forest
• Explore Crystal Cave for 3-5 hours
• Swim in Blue Hole

The experience

The day starts with a hike through the rugged limestone landscape and lush forest surrounding Blue Hole National Park. Once you reach Crystal Cave, the real work begins: you'll spend between three and five hours spelunking deeper into the cavern system, moving through passages adorned with crystalline formations. Your guide points out the Maya artifacts scattered throughout (pottery, beads and obsidian blades) evidence that the ancient Maya used this cave as a sacred passageway to Xibalba, their underworld. The physical demands are real. You'll be climbing, crawling and navigating tight spaces, so the tour requires a high level of fitness and comfortable, practical clothing (long pants and close-toed shoes are mandatory).

After the caving, you swim and cool off in the inland Blue Hole, a natural pool fed by underground springs. Lunch is provided during the day. Hotel pickup and drop-off within San Ignacio town limits are included, so you don't arrange your own transport to the park entrance. Bring a reusable water bottle, bug spray and a change of clothes. The equipment you need for the cave is provided.

What’s included

• Local guide leading the cave exploration.
• hotel pickup and drop-off within San Ignacio town limits.
• all necessary caving equipment.
• lunch.
• access to both Crystal Cave and the inland Blue Hole for swimming.

Options for this experience

2 options

Share Crystal CaveGuide in English · 07:30Shared Crystal Cave tour lasting 10 hours. Lunch, water and rum punch are included. Air-conditioned vehicle. Pickup is included.

Crystal Cave PrivateGuide in English · 07:30Private tour lasting 10 hours. Lunch and water are provided: handmade tortilla, cut vegetables, cheese and shredded chicken, plus rum punch, water, chips and salsa, and watermelon. Air-conditioned vehicles: SUV, car or bus. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Youth (11 to 14 years) · Child (under 11)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

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 16 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Physically demandingNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Belize Family Adventure

Is this one for you?Book the private option if your group wants to set the pace and route through the cave. Choose the shared tour if you're comfortable with a larger group and want to split the cost. Either way, the nine-hour commitment means you'll need a full day free, and the physical demands require genuine fitness. This isn't a casual walk-through.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 14 years); Child (under 11).

What exactly will I see inside Crystal Cave?

Crystal Cave contains caverns lined with crystalline formations and holds Maya artifacts including pottery, beads and obsidian blades that the ancient Maya left as offerings in what they considered a sacred passageway to the underworld.

How long do I actually spend caving on this tour?

You'll explore Crystal Cave for between three and five hours, depending on the route your guide chooses and how the group moves through the passages.

Is the swim in the Blue Hole part of the tour, or do I pay extra?

The swim in the inland Blue Hole is included in your day trip. It comes after the caving as a chance to refresh before heading back to San Ignacio.

What's the fitness level required for this tour?

The tour requires a high level of physical fitness because spelunking involves climbing, crawling and navigating tight spaces inside the cave system for several hours.

Do I need to bring my own cave gear, or is it provided?

All necessary equipment for the cave is provided. You bring comfortable clothing, long pants, close-toed shoes, bug spray and a reusable water bottle.