ATM Cave Belize Tour: Expert Tips From A Licensed Guide

Ready to do the ATM Cave Tour in Belize? It’s one of the top experiences in the country and even named the #1 Sacred Cave in the world by National Geographic.

Now you probably have a few questions. Is the tour difficult? Where should you stay? Can kids do it? Is it dangerous? Do you need to swim? What do you wear?

I had these same questions before my first visit. And instead of giving you guesses or generic tips, I went straight to someone who knows the cave better than anyone — licensed ATM Tour Guide Shamin Burns.

Shamin is a third-generation guide who’s spent years leading travelers through the cave. His approach is simple: safety first, adventure second. And he shares exactly what you need to know for the best possible experience.

Visitor Essentials

Opening Hours

8AM–5PM

Tour Cost

$145.00 USD

Tour Duration

3–4 hours

Rules

No cameras allowed, minimum height of 40" (100cm)

Essentials

Bathing suit, water shoes, socks, towel, change of clothes

Tour Guide

Mandatory, not available at entrance

Amenities

Restroom facilities, picnic shed

Why Makes The ATM Cave Tour Worth The Splurge?

The ATM Cave is unlike any other archaeological site in Belize because almost everything inside is still in its original resting place. You aren’t looking at replicas or relocated artifacts, you’re literally stepping back in time and seeing pottery, tools, and human remains exactly where the Maya placed them over a thousand years ago.

It’s also an all-in one-adventure: jungle hiking, river crossings, swimming, climbing, and archaeology wrapped into one experience. It’s not a basic cave walk, your guide leads you through living geology, cultural history, and physical adventure all at once.

What you pay for is not just access to the cave; it’s access to a highly regulated, protected national treasure that only trained and certified guides can take you into.

Is The ATM Cave Dangerous?

The ATM Cave is very safe when guided properly. There has never been a death inside the cave on a guided tour. The main dangers are slips, bumps, and missteps all preventable with a guide who communicates clearly.

Safety protocols include:

• Maintaining three points of contact at all times
• Moving slowly and intentionally
• If ever feeling unstable sit down
• Mandatory helmets
• Constant guide instructions in tricky areas
• Group size limits
• Rangers monitoring capacity and conditions

My number one rule is always safety first, adventure second.

How Difficult Is The ATM Cave Tour?

The tour requires swimming, climbing, squeezing through passageways, and maintaining balance in moving water. Kids as young as 10 can sometimes do it, but it really depends on comfort level and ability. There isn't a minimum age but a minimum height of 48 inches.

For seniors many do it successfully but good mobility, balance, and moderate fitness are important. I’ve led many 70-year olds.

The most challenging parts are:

• The initial swim into the cave
• Navigating the Breakdown Chamber (my personal favorite area, lots of fun climbing routes and tight passages)
• The climb into the upper archaeological chamber

A supportive guide makes a huge difference here.

What To Wear For The ATM Cave Tour?

This is easily one of the most common questions.

Footwear:

• Light hiking shoes or good sneakers
• Mandatory socks (wear them from the start, so you don’t have to change later)
• No sandals
• Keens Newport or Hyperport are recommend
• No Chacos or Crocks

Clothing:

• Quick-dry clothes
• Shorts or athletic leggings
• No cotton if possible (it stays heavy and cold when wet)

Other gear:

• Water bottle
• Small snack
• Towel (used after the tour)
• Change of Clothes

Everything else stays at the parking lot along with towel and change of clothes.

Is The ATM Cave Tour From San Ignacio The Best Choice?

San Ignacio is hands-down the best place to take the ATM Cave Tour. It’s only about an hour from the cave entrance, and it’s the hub for inland adventures. Most guides and tour companies (including my family’s company) operate out of San Ignacio, so transportation and timing work in your favor.

Do I Need To Know How To Swim?

Basic swimming skills help, but you don’t need to be a strong swimmer. Everyone wears a life jacket for the first stretch. The main swim is at the cave entrance a short beautiful pool that marks the start of the adventure. For those who can't swim I usually pull them across the deep sections with a throw rope or simply tug across.

Inside, most water is chest-deep or lower.

Is It A Problem If I'm Claustrophobic?

There are a few tight spots, but they’re short and manageable. The cave is 90% spacious with high ceilings and wide chambers. I always talk guests through the narrow sections and check in often.

Most people who worry about claustrophobia end up handling it well.

Can I Take A Camera To The ATM Cave?

Before 2012, cameras were allowed until a visitor accidentally dropped one onto a 1,000 year old skull, causing irreversible damage. The cave was actually closed indefinitely. It’s the guides that begged for the cave to be reopened but with more strict measures. The authorities decided to reopen after 6 months but placed a complete ban to protect the artifacts. Today guests are not allowed to take anything in. Not even a water bottle. So everything you carry for the hike (water bottle and snack) stays at the cave entrance.

The ban actually enhances the experience: people stay more present, listen more, and move more safely without trying to frame photos.

What Is The Best Time To Take The ATM Cave Tour?

I always recommend early morning. You beat most of the large groups, the hike is cooler, and you still have the afternoon free for another activity.

As for seasons. Both dry and rainy are great:

• Dry season is easier but hotter.
• Rainy season is cooler, but the cave may close temporarily if the water rises.

Should I Book Ahead Or Upon Arrival?

Book ahead! Especially in high season. The cave has a daily limit of 250 people, and licensed operators must secure tickets in advance. Booking early ensures your spot and lets your guide arrange everything ahead of time.

If visiting December–April, book as soon as you finalize dates. For the other months, book at least a week early, ideally more.

What Should I Look For In A Tour Guide/Agency?

All certified guides meet the safety and training requirements — but experience and guiding style vary.

Look for a guide who:

• Takes time to explain safety
• Knows the cave’s archaeology in detail
• Keeps a steady, calm pace
• Communicates clearly in tight or technical sections
• Makes you feel comfortable and supported

A good guide can turn a great tour into an unforgettable one. Our family business has been doing this since the early 1990s, so our approach mixes old school guiding with modern comfort and professionalism.

Can I Do The ATM Cave On A Budget?

Yes — join a group tour instead of a private one. You still get a licensed guide, transportation, equipment, lunch, and the same cave time, just at a lower cost per person. By staying in San Ignacio you will find tours to be more affordable. At our business, we have 3 family members that lead the ATM tour so many times we have space for solo travelers and even cater for large groups.

Ask about our group rates. If you think you'd be saving your money by driving yourself it's not likely. Your tour guide still needs to get to the park, so the same rate is charged. Additionally, there’s a local farm that charges non-tour operators an entry fee for passing through the farm.

The road is also sometimes very rugged, so you might beat up and have extra charges on the rental. Joining us in our transportation avoids all of that.

Can I drive to the ATM Cave Myself And Buy Tickets?

No. The park does not sell tickets at the gate. You must go with a licensed tour operator, and the guide must secure your permit before arrival. Rangers also check waivers and group lists to ensure compliance.

Why Are There So Few ATM Tour Guides?

ATM certification is one of the most intense trainings in Belize’s tourism industry. It includes: swift water rescue training, first aid, 16 PDF manuals with hundreds of pages of geology, archaeology, cultural history, and safety procedures, a theory exam and a physical exam, mandatory shadowing of 5 tours under experienced guides, probationary period leading 2 guests, probationary period leading 4 guests.

I personally shadowed my dad, Philip Burns, my uncle Ian Burns, and a close family friend Emil Gamez, people who have been guiding this cave long before social media existed.

Only a few guides are certified because the training is demanding, the cave is fragile, and the government strictly controls access to protect it.

About Shamin Burns

I'm the youngest guide currently leading tours at the ATM Cave. I'm operating with my family’s company Yute Expeditions Ltd and I'm proud to be the third generation carrying the torch. Connect with me on social media, email or Whatsapp

How To Get To ATM Cave

Getting to the ATM Cave requires signing up for a tour with a licensed tour guide. The tour includes food, transportation, gear and entrance fee included. The most inexpensive way of getting there is by staying at San Ignacio and taking the tour from there.

If you have your own car, you can drive to the park entrance yourself. Just be sure to advise your tour guide so they can meet you there.

Facts About ATM Cave

1. 🏆 National Geographic has named it the #1 sacred cave in the world.
2. 🗿 ATM stands for Actun Tunichil Muknal which means Stone Sepulcher.
3. 🧍 The first person went inside the ATM cave in 1986.
4. 😱 The Mayan Underworld is also called Xibalba roughly meaning place of fright.
5. 💀 The Crystal Maiden skeleton is actually a 17-year old boy and not a female.
6. ☠️ There are 16 human remains but not all of them can be seen.
7. 🍯 There are over 1000 ceramic pots in the cave.
8. ⛰️ The maximum height of the cave is roughly 20ft and max width is roughly 10ft.
9. 🪨 The cave is about 3 miles (4.8km) long with a vertical drop of over 100ft (30m).
10. 💧 The water in the cave is about 80° Fahrenheit (27° C).

Why It’s Worth Visiting

Is The ATM Cave Tour Worth It?

My answer is a resounding yes. If you're not a swimmer, claustrophobic or scared of spiders, I think you should still do this tour.

Why? Because it's a once in a lifetime experience that will help you conquer all those fears. You also have access to a life jacket and a highly-qualified guide that has been doing this for 10+ years, so there is no excuse.

Well, technically there are some caveats. Tour companies don't recommend pregnant women, people with heart conditions, walking disabilities and those with back problems to do the tour.

But if you don't fall into any of those categories, you're all clear for a world-class spelunking adventure.

Cheapest Way To Do ATM Cave Tour

The ATM Cave Tour price averages at $145 USD per person but if you go to some hostels, they will quote you $125 USD per person since larger groups book the tour together. Using this new baseline, you can ask other tour companies to match the rate.

Keep in mind this is only a group rate, but some tour companies will offer an even lower rate if you are the last person to join the group. This happens since it doesn't cost them much to add an extra person in the group. It's an "extra" for them.

ATM Cave Tour Review (From A Traveler)

In case you're feeling uncertain or unsure whether to do this tour, this short review perfectly summarizes the tour experience giving you a good idea of what to expect.

We survived Actun Tunichil Muknal cave. It was the most challenging and adventurous thing I have ever done! I’m claustrophobic, afraid of heights and clumsy as hell. But our guide was so careful and amazing that I climbed around like a spider monkey and came out unscathed. I’m not the most physically fit - I drink, I sometimes like to smoke and if you find me running it’s because I’m being chased, but still I made it! It’s about 1.5-mile walk to the cave, crossing the river three times and a short swim into the cave. It was absolutely beautiful inside with crystal clear water, shimmering stalactites and formations, Mayan pottery and sacrificial remains. The history we learned was just incredible. You are in the water most of the time except for where the remains are located, and we were inside the cave about three hours. This is an absolute must-do if you come to the Cayo area! I cannot recommend it enough. You need closed toed shoes with a decent grip. I purchased keen closed toed sandals, and they were perfect. My husband and 18 year old son wore Merrell water shoes. Also wear cushy socks for when you climb up to see the artifacts.

Lisa - Atlanta, Georgia

ATM Cave Tour Timeline

The timeline may change depending on group size and tour guide leading the group.

ATM Cave Tour Activity Breakdown

The tour duration may also change depending on group size and tour guide.

ATM Cave Tour Walkthrough

This is a step by step walkthrough of the cave tour.

ATM Cave Tour Insider Tips

1. 🛟 Ask for a life jacket: don't be shy to ask your tour guide for one despite being a short swim.
2. 🥙 Food is included: if you have food restrictions, most tour companies are flexible.
3. 👕 Take fresh change of clothes: showers are found at the park, so you can change.
4. 👖 Don't wear long pants: the water temperature can get hot. Swimming suits are better.
5. 👟 Ask for swimming shoes: instead of buying a pair of shoes, borrow one from the tour company.
6. 💦 Don't worry about getting dirty: you can wash up in the end with a refreshing swim.
7. 🥨 Take snacks: the tour guide will have a dry bag to hold any essential items.

About Author

Everything written on this blog is based on first-hand experience or knowledge as a local living in Belize. No fluff, just honest information.