A two-hour bus ride away from Belize City takes you towards the Guatemala-Belize border at San Ignacio. The terminal is quite basic as are the buses so do not expect air con or other amenities. The town of San Ignacio is small but offers several stores, restaurants, and bars. It is perfectly located due to its proximity to both Mayan ruins and adrenaline filled experiences.
Ancient Mayan Cave
The most advertised tour is the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave, which although a little pricey at 85 USD1, is definitely worth checking out. This Mayan cave is believed to have been used for burial rituals and sacrifices. It is mainly unexcavated so all artifacts are in their original positions and mostly embedded in the ground. Unfortunately, cameras are not allowed in the cave thanks to a tourist who dropped their camera on a skull. The authorities stress this and take this very seriously so you should refrain from being tempted to sneak one in. Some tour operators (Maya Walk Tours in my case) will email you a couple of pictures after the tour which are the ones I’ve used for this post. The tour operators also ask visitors not to use or to dial down the use of sunblock or repellent to help preserve the site, however, this is really up to you. The ATM Cave tour is no easy task. The tour operator will sugarcoat its difficulty to get you on board but you should be prepared to endure a physically demanding adventure. Also expect to get wet as well as knocks, bruises, and maybe even small cuts from sharp rocks. The tour operators will provide equipment which includes a helmet, headlamp, and water shoes if you don’t have your own.
The tour bus takes about 1 hour to arrive at the national park entrance and the guide will point out what are believed to be unexcavated Mayan ruins along the route. From the park entrance to the cave, it is a 45-60 minute trek where you will cross 3 streams/rivers. The water level is usually hip height but will of course vary depending on the season. Once you arrive at the cave entrance, all food and drink must be left behind on the benches along with any loose personal belongings. The guide will also hand out snacks at this point before heading into the cave. The river flows through the entrance of the cave and you may need to swim a couple of meters depending on how tall you are. Once inside, the guide will take you through the cave pointing out artifacts and explaining the rock formations. You will need to crouch, climb, squeeze through openings, and traverse through water which can reach hip high levels. The last section of the cave can only be explored without shoes but they let you keep your socks on if you don’t mind getting them muddy. This final section is where the majority of the artifacts lie mostly untouched. There are pottery, tools, and skeletons everywhere and although areas are cordoned off, you have to watch your step and be careful not touch or lean on any rocks your guide points out. It is a truly spectacular site with so much history and mystery. Once back at the park entrance, lunch will be served while you use the facilities to change into dry clothes and hang your wet ones to dry.
Mayan Ruins a Walk Away
The Mayan ruins of Cahal Pech are a short 25-minute walk from San Ignacio town center. They are believed to have been the residence of an elite ruling Mayan family and is small enough to cover in less than 2 hours. Entrance is 10 BZD2 which includes access to the visitor center and small museum. The complex is made up of several plazas, residential buildings, temples, and a pyramid. It’s a great stop if you don’t have time for the large Mayan ruins in the area.
