National park · Belize
Actun Tunichil Muknal
Visit ATM on a guided tour: join a morning departure (45‑min hike + 2‑h swim) for BZD 30 entry, best in Feb–May, avoid heavy rain Jun–Oct; stay in San Ignacio.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Feb–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Belize ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Belize's Immigration Department or a Belizean embassy before booking.
- Belize ↗Snorkel and dive in the marine reserves only with licensed guides; do not touch coral or feed marine life.
- Belize ↗Leaving by land or sea costs BZ$40 (US$20) in cash at the border or dock; the air departure tax is in your ticket.
At a glance
- Country
- Belize
- Area
- 2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²)
- Approx. 520.8 acres (≈2.1 km²) of archaeological reserve (check).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Feb–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- San Ignacio
A guided Maya cave tour that combines a short jungle hike, river crossings and an archaeological walk through the ATM cave, best in the dry season.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.
Size and age
2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²) · national park since 2000
Approx. 520.8 acres (≈2.1 km²) of archaeological reserve (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: San Ignacio.
Why go
- Guided walk‑through of a Maya sacrificial cave with intact artifacts.
- Swim and wade through clear underground river sections.
- See the Crystal Maiden and the Monkey Pot in situ.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepAvoid
- OctAvoid
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, dry start of season.
- FebDry, warm, low rain risk.
- MarDry, pleasant temperatures.
- AprPeak dry season, ideal for swimming.
- MayEnd of dry season, still good.
- JunRain increases, water levels rise.
- JulFrequent showers, possible closures.
- AugHigh rain, streams may flood.
- SepRainiest month, tours often cancelled.
- OctLate wet season, high flood risk.
- NovRain tapers, safer water levels.
- DecCool, less rain, good visibility.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds, butterflies, lizards, frogsMar–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Bats (cave)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From San Ignacio
Road transfer (≈45 min) to the reserve gate, then 30–45 min hike.
1 h total
Open the page →
From Belmopan
Drive north on George Price Highway (≈2 h) to San Ignacio, then transfer.
≈2.5 h
Open the page →
From Cayo District (central)
Private car or shuttle to San Ignacio, then same transfer.
Varies
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor area | Gate, briefing site, equipment storage. | Open with licensed guide. |
| Approach trail | 45‑min jungle hike, three stream crossings. | Guided only. |
| Cave interior | Swim, wade, walk to Cathedral chamber. | Guided only; helmets required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the reserve; exact gate location varies by operator.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guided ATM tour (incl. entry, helmets, guide) | BZD 30–45 | person | Typical range from licensed operators (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Guided tour permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- A licensed guide is mandatory for all visitors.
- Photography
- Cameras, phones, and any photographic equipment are prohibited inside the cave.
- Footwear
- Sandals and flip‑flops not allowed; wear closed shoes and socks in the chamber.
- Touching artifacts
- Do not touch pottery, bones, or formations unless instructed.
- Camping
- Camping inside the reserve is prohibited without special authorization.
Where to stay
Near the park
San Ignacio
Hostels, guesthouses, and hotels 45 min from the cave.
Near the park
Santa Elena
Similar accommodation options close to San Ignacio.
Safety
Water depth and currents medium
Flash floods high
Slippery rocks medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Approach trail has uneven ground and water crossings; not suitable for wheelchairs.
- Guides can offer a shallow‑water alternative for weak swimmers.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on the guided path; do not stray into sensitive forest areas.
- Carry out all litter; no food or drink inside the cave.
- Support licensed local guides who follow NICH conservation rules.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Actun Tunichil Muknal?
A licensed guide charges BZD 30–45 per person, which includes the entry permit, helmets, and guide services.
What are the best hikes in Actun Tunichil Muknal?
The standard ATM tour includes a 30–45 min jungle hike to the cave, then swimming and walking inside the cave to the Cathedral chamber; no separate hikes are offered.
When is the best time to visit Actun Tunichil Muknal?
Visit in the dry season, especially Feb–May, for low water levels and reliable tour operation.
Can I bring a camera into the cave?
No. All photographic devices are prohibited inside to protect fragile artifacts.
Is independent travel allowed?
No. Access is only through a licensed NICH‑approved guide; independent entry is illegal.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Actun Tunichil Muknal
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