ATM Cave Tour from San Ignacio

FYI: 

Pick ups begin as early as 7:00AM for hotels within San Ignacio Town. 

Additional fees apply for hotels outside of Town.

The tour schedule is flexible depending on cruise ship groups, traffic on roads, and your guide's attention to details, including off-the beaten path extras he may occasionally throw in (adding value to your tour).

Getting There: 

Your adventure begins at 8:00 AM with a 45 minutes’ drive on the George Price Highway with another 30 minutes’ off-road to the parking lot. 

From the parking lot, we have a 45 minutes’ jungle hike toward the cave entrance, crossing a knees-deep river 3 times along the way- enjoy the scenery.

At the cave entrance: 

Upon reaching the mouth of the ATM cave, your guide briefs you on the cave’s historical facts while you gear up with helmets and head lamps. The hike inside the cave entails a very short swim of about 30 feet across at the very entrance of the cave. For non-swimmers, there is a by-pass around the corner of the cave’s entrance through which you are assisted by the guide. For the rest of the cave length, it’s mostly wading through the water no deeper than chest-height (at average height) at most. Admire the myriad cave formations along the way until reaching the hidden dry chamber where amazement awaits you.

In the main chamber: 

To get to the main chamber, you'll climb over some rocks providing a staircase to the chamber. Once in the chamber, you’ll be asked by your guide to take off your shoes, and walk with only your socks on your feet. Here your guide explains the Maya rituals while you awe at the magnificence of this ancient tomb and its grandeur.

You’ll be amazed by all the Mayan artifacts and remains freely scattered throughout the cave as your guide explains how they got their and what lead to this shocking massacre in such a remote location. Walking farther into the cave, we’ll reach a higher but smaller chamber accessible only through the use of a man-made ladder. This is where the prized, intact, crystalized skeletal remains of the Crystal Maiden lay. Take your time, to sink in the reality of what lies before you.

Departure: 

After being saturated to capacity with astonishment, we make our way back out of the chambers and the cave. (the way back out always seems so much shorter than the way in). We then hike back onto the parking lot, where the guide will provide you with your lunch as you discuss the reality of what you’ve just witnessed inside. You may choose to change into your dry clothes before or after lunch (your choice). After lunch, we board our vehicle and head back to San Ignacio arriving around 3:30- 4:00 PM.