San Ignacio: ATM Cave & Xunantunich Tour with Lunch

Summary

Full day exploring ATM Cave and Xunantunich with local guide

You’ll hike through jungle trails near San Ignacio, swim into Belize’s legendary ATM Cave with a local guide, enjoy a hearty lunch in a Maya village, then cross by hand-cranked ferry to climb Xunantunich Temple. Expect muddy shoes, real stories, and moments of silence you’ll remember long after the trip.

What’s the experience like?

“Wait, we’re actually swimming into the cave?” That’s what I blurted out when our guide, Luis, handed me a helmet and grinned. The drive from San Ignacio to Tapir Mountain Reserve was just long enough for my nerves to kick in, but once we started hiking through the jungle—mud squishing under my shoes, birds yelling overhead—I kind of forgot to be nervous. Luis pointed out a troop of howler monkeys (loudest things I’ve ever heard) and told us about the Maya who used these caves for ceremonies. The air inside was cool and smelled like wet stone; my hands kept slipping on the rocks but nobody seemed to mind. There was this moment when we turned off our headlamps and just stood in the dark—so quiet you could hear your own breath bouncing off the walls.

Lunch back in the village felt like a reward after all that climbing and wading. I don’t know if it was the food or just relief, but everything tasted sharper—rice, beans, chicken with some sauce I couldn’t name (Luis tried to teach me but I forgot instantly). After that we drove toward San Jose Succotz, windows down because it was humid and honestly I needed fresh air after the cave. The hand-cranked ferry across the Mopan River is slower than you’d think—somehow that made it better. A couple kids waved at us from the bank while an older woman sold fruit under a blue tarp nearby.

Xunantunich rises up out of nowhere—one minute you’re walking past iguanas sunning themselves on stones, next thing you know you’re climbing steep steps with your legs still shaky from earlier. Luis told us stories about the “Stone Woman” legend as we looked out over Belize and into Guatemala (clouds rolling in fast). It’s strange how quiet it gets up there. I still think about that view sometimes—just layers of green fading into mist. We didn’t rush back down; nobody really wanted to leave yet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — ATM Cave and Maya Temple Tour

• Drive and hike to Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
• Explore jungle and learn Maya history
• Drive to San Jose Succotz and cross Mopan River

Top questions

How long is the full-day ATM Cave & Xunantunich tour?

The tour starts at 8:00am and finishes around 5:00pm.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels.

What should I bring for the ATM Cave part?

Wear comfortable clothes that can get wet; equipment and towels are provided.

Is lunch included during the day trip?

Yes, lunch at a restaurant in the village is included.

Are there any health restrictions for this tour?

This tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Can children join this tour?

Children can join if accompanied by adults; minimum height is 40 inches.

How do we get to Xunantunich Maya Temple?

You’ll cross the Mopan River on a hand-cranked ferry from San Jose Succotz village.

Are park entrance fees included?

Yes, all park entrance fees are covered in your booking.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off (for selected hotels), all necessary equipment for cave exploration, bottled water throughout, entry fees to both sites, towels after caving, guidance from a professional local guide who knows every story along the way—and a traditional lunch with refreshments before heading back in the evening.