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Stepped Maya temple with a central staircase and grass at its base.

Belize · San Ignacio

Guided caves

Actun Tunichil Muknal, Barton Creek and Nohoch Ch’een, which NICH only allows with a guide; with unconfirmed status.

3 places3 unconfirmed, flagged

  1. 1

    AdventureStatus unconfirmed

    Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM)

    Near Teakettle Village, Cayo District, according to NICH. The pin is the natural monument in OpenStreetMap; it is not the entrance.7.7 km in a straight line from the regional map centre

    Entry
    non-resident BZ$60
    Hours
    Daily 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
    Booking
    Required

    A 3.13-mile cave the ancient Maya used for rituals from the Early Classic Period (A.D. 300–600), with ceramics, stoneware and skeletons still in place; it is reached after a 45-minute hike through the jungle with several river crossings, according to NICH.

    Status not confirmed: NICH publishes hours, fees and conditions without a date and contradicts itself on where the ticket is sold. Check before you go.

    Source: NICH – Actun Tunichil Muknal (13 jun. 2024) · 2024 · +4

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    BZ$60 for non-residents and BZ$30 for residents, per person, according to the data of NICH’s official shop (the cave’s sales page is not public).
    Hours
    Every day, including Sundays and public holidays, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; the last tour is at 2:00 p.m. and entry to the cave is not allowed after 3:00 p.m., according to NICH.
    Booking
    According to its terms, NICH requires every visit to be booked in advance with a licensed tour operator. It contradicts itself on where to buy the ticket: its shop says only licensed operators sell it, and its terms say it is bought in advance at the Cahal Pech ticket office or on its sales website.

    Tip: According to NICH: an ATM-certified guide is required, at most 6 visitors per guide, minimum height of 40 inches, good physical health, able to swim, life vest and helmet with a light, and a signed liability release before the tour. Cameras and any recording device are prohibited inside the cave.

    Nearby: Barton Creek Cave (7.5 km) · Green Hills Butterfly Ranch (12.5 km)

    Sources: NICH – Actun Tunichil Muknal (13 jun. 2024) · NICH – Actun Tunichil Muknal, datos de la tienda oficial: entrada de no residente (consultada oct. 2026) · NICH – Actun Tunichil Muknal, datos de la tienda oficial: entrada de residente (consultada oct. 2026) · NICH – Condiciones de venta y de visita (consultada oct. 2026) · NICH – Tienda oficial de entradas (consultada oct. 2026)

  2. 2

    AdventureStatus unconfirmed

    Barton Creek Cave

    Cayo District. The pin is the cave mouth in OpenStreetMap; it is not the visitor entrance.7.8 km in a straight line from the regional map centre

    Entry
    non-resident BZ$20
    Hours
    Daily 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
    Booking
    Not stated

    A cave in the Cayo District that NICH lists among its cave sites, always visited with a guide. NICH’s shop describes it with the same text as Nohoch Ch’een, so that text is not used here.

    Status not confirmed: NICH publishes its hours and fees in its shop, undated, and no dated confirmation of visits was read. Check before you go.

    Source: NICH – Barton Creek, entradas y horario (tienda oficial; consultada oct. 2026) · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    BZ$20 for non-residents and BZ$15 for residents, per person, according to NICH’s official shop.
    Hours
    Every day, including Sundays and public holidays, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; the last tour starts an hour and a half before closing and entry to the cave is not allowed after 4:00 p.m., according to NICH.
    Booking
    NICH says group visits to its caves should be booked in advance with a licensed operator.

    Tip: According to NICH, every visitor must go with a guide (at most 8 per guide), be in good physical health, be able to swim and wear a life vest and a helmet with a light.

    Nearby: Green Hills Butterfly Ranch (5.1 km) · Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) (7.5 km) · Big Rock Falls (10.1 km)

    Sources: NICH – Barton Creek, entradas y horario (tienda oficial; consultada oct. 2026) · NICH – Condiciones de venta y de visita (consultada oct. 2026)

  3. 3

    AdventureStatus unconfirmed

    Nohoch Ch’een

    Eastern Cayo District, according to NICH. The pin is the «Nohoch Che’en Archaeological Reserve» in OpenStreetMap; it is not the entrance.26.1 km in a straight line from the regional map centre

    Entry
    non-resident BZ$20
    Hours
    Daily 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
    Booking
    Not stated

    A cave system along the Sibun River explored along the water among geological formations, with trails and up to four stops; its amenities include tube rentals, according to NICH.

    Status not confirmed: NICH publishes its hours and fees in its shop, undated, and no dated confirmation of visits was read. Check before you go.

    Source: NICH – Nohoch Ch’een, entradas y horario (tienda oficial; consultada oct. 2026) · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    BZ$20 for non-residents and BZ$15 for residents, per person, according to NICH’s official shop.
    Hours
    Every day, including Sundays and public holidays, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; the last tour starts one hour before closing and, after 3:00 p.m., access is allowed to the first cave only, according to NICH.
    Booking
    NICH says group visits to its caves should be booked in advance with a licensed operator.

    Tip: According to NICH, every visitor must go with a guide (at most 8 per guide), be at least 40 inches tall, be in good physical health, be able to swim and wear a life vest and a helmet with a light.

    Nearby: St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park (6.6 km)

    Sources: NICH – Nohoch Ch’een, entradas y horario (tienda oficial; consultada oct. 2026) · NICH – Condiciones de venta y de visita (consultada oct. 2026)

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