About this experience
See some of Belize's top natural attractions on this day tour from San Ignacio to Blue Hole National Park and Crystal Cave. You'll experience the underworld of the ancient Maya as you go spelunking in the crystalline caverns, learning about this ceremonial site where the Maya people practiced sacrificial and sacred rituals. After venturing into the cave chambers, you'll have the chance to cool down in the waters of the Blue Hole, an inland jungle cenote (not to be confused with the country's offshore Great Blue Hole). Lunch is included.
At a glance
- Duration: 8 hr
Plan your experience
Set aside 8 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- Minimum age is 12 years
- What to bring: Hiking sandals or sneakers, change of clothes, small backpack, 1 liter of water, bug spray, snacks, and swimwear with shorts
Local guides to help you plan
Great Blue Hole Belize Guide
Plan a Great Blue Hole visit by dive boat, live-aboard, snorkeling excursion, or scenic flight. Compare the experiences, costs, safety questions, accessibility, and weather considerations before booking.
Laughing Bird Caye National Park Guide
Plan a day at Laughing Bird Caye National Park from Placencia, Belize, with practical advice on boat trips, snorkeling, tour choices, costs, packing, and booking questions.
What is included
- National Park fees
- Use of helmet and headlamps
- All taxes, fees, and handling charges
- Guide
- Lunch with a drink
Not included
- water bottle and snacks
Itinerary and highlights
Leave San Ignacio in the morning to start your day tour with the drive toward Belmopan and the scenic Hummingbird Highway, crossing the green mountains while passing by orange orchards, pineapple plantations, and rainforest-draped valleys along the way. Your destination is Blue Hole National Park, a protected and accessible area managed by the Belize Audubon Society. It's also home to Crystal Cave, known locally as Mountain Cow Cave, an otherworldly natural wonder located deep in the jungle in the heart of the park.
After a 50-minute hike through the tropical forest with your guide, you'll reach the entry point where you'll rappel 15 feet (4.5 meters) into the vast entrance of the cave. Traverse its large chambers, sliding down mud ramps and scrambling along rocks. This is a challenging descent into Xibalba, what the Maya believed was the realms of the underworld. Your guide shows you the shimmering formations in the cave, along with artifacts and skeletal remains of sacrificial victims from ancient Maya ceremonies.
This tour is physically demanding but well worth the effort to walk in the footsteps of Maya ritual leaders and see the evidence of their sacred rites with your own eyes. After your cave exploration, refuel with a hearty homemade lunch and soft drinks, and take a swim in the cool waters of the Blue Hole, a deep sinkhole filled with rain and spring water, known as a cenote.
Your tour then ends with return to San Ignacio.
Meeting and pickup information
- Directions: MayaWalk Tours Main Office located between Tandoor Restaurant and Belize Bank Return point: Returns to original departure point
- Pick ups from all locations in Belize can be arranged. There may be an additional charge so please contact us if pick up is needed. . Departure Point for most tours: Downtown San Ignacio Address: MayaWalk Tours Main Office 19 Burns Avenue San Ignacio Town Cayo District Belize, Central America Directions: MayaWalk Tours Main Office located between Tandoor Restaurant and Belize Bank Return point: Returns to original departure point
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- MayaWalk Tours
Accessibility and practical details
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- Minimum age is 12 years
- Difficulty: Challenging
- What to bring: Hiking sandals or sneakers, change of clothes, small backpack, 1 liter of water, bug spray, snacks, and swimwear with shorts
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Questions about this experience
How long is this experience?
What are the pickup arrangements?
Departure Point for most tours: Downtown San Ignacio
Address: MayaWalk Tours Main Office
19 Burns Avenue
San Ignacio Town
Cayo District
Belize, Central America
Directions: MayaWalk Tours Main Office located between Tandoor Restaurant and Belize Bank
Return point: Returns to original departure point
Which guide languages are listed?
What ticket format is listed?
What ticket age bands are listed?
What is the cancellation policy?
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