Day Trip To Crystal Cave and Blue Hole National Park
Overview
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.
Inclusions
- All taxes, fees, and handling charges
- National Park fees
- Lunch with a drink
- Rum punch
- Use of helmet and headlamps
- Guide
- Entry/Admission - Blue Hole National Park
- Entry/Admission - Crystal Cave
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Crystal Cave, Blue Hole National Park, Belmopan 00000 Belize
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.
Stop At: Blue Hole National Park, Hummingbird Highway St.Margaret, Belmopan Belize
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.
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Crystal Cave, Blue Hole National Park, Belmopan 00000 Belize
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.
Stop At: Blue Hole National Park, Hummingbird Highway St.Margaret, Belmopan Belize
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.
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- 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
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a strong physical fitness level
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 100 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
treusch
May 2019
Had a great guide for the crystal cave tour! He was a jungle survival specialist, the group was small 3 of us plus the guide, for those who are looking for an adventure off the beaten path !
Had a great guide for the crystal cave tour! He was a jungle survival specialist, the group was small 3 of us plus the guide, for those who are looking for an adventure off the beaten path !wasklywabbit
December 2022
We were told afterwards that this is the most difficult cave to visit in Belize. The driver Ashton was right on time and very engageable fellow as we were driving to the cave and back. Walter was our guide and he certainly knows a lot about Belize and caving. The hike from the parking lot is pret...
We were told afterwards that this is the most difficult cave to visit in Belize. The driver Ashton was right on time and very engageable fellow as we were driving to the cave and back. Walter was our guide and he certainly knows a lot about Belize and caving. The hike from the parking lot is pretty strenous and muddy and then definitely you want to be fit to enter and descend into the cave as it is pretty slippery and good footwear and arm strength is required. This is not walk down some stairs stuff. We were the only 3 people in the cave. Some tight spots and this is full on spelunking and bouldering. Still my partner is 67 years old and she did okay and I am 63 and we came back out happy and really dirty. It all washed out okay later. Lots of interesting formations. Good lunch afterwards and nice to go swimming.TiffanyFromCanada
August 2022
This tour was such a good experience! I have never done anything like this before and I couldn't be happier with how professional and fun the guides were. It is definitely physically demanding but worth it! I saw some beautiful crystal cave formations and had fun sliding in the mud and crawling t...
This tour was such a good experience! I have never done anything like this before and I couldn't be happier with how professional and fun the guides were. It is definitely physically demanding but worth it! I saw some beautiful crystal cave formations and had fun sliding in the mud and crawling through tight spaces. The lunch was also delicious and swimming in the blue hole after was an added bonus. Both guides were very knowledgeable about the cave formations, Mayan history, and jungle creatures. Thank you so much Walter and Damien for an unforgettable experience, and for not only making things fun, but also making me feel very safe during this crazy adventure :). I will absolutely do this tour again if I'm ever back in Belize and highly recommend it to anyone looking for an adventure!Jesse_W
June 2022
Our guide, Marcus, was great. His knowledge of the jungle, the cave, and Mayan culture really added to the experience. After completing ATM we wanted more of a challenge, and Crystal Cave fit the bill. A totally different experience than ATM, this cave was much more difficult to explore, but the ...
Our guide, Marcus, was great. His knowledge of the jungle, the cave, and Mayan culture really added to the experience. After completing ATM we wanted more of a challenge, and Crystal Cave fit the bill. A totally different experience than ATM, this cave was much more difficult to explore, but the rock formations inside were more rewarding. I am 6' 2", 185lb, and parts of this cave were very tight to fit through. I would NOT suggest this if you push past 250lb. The walk through the jungle was much more scenic than the walk to ATM, the trail is less trodden, and wildlife was more abundant. You can also take pictures inside this cave, unlike ATM. The lunch afterward was great, trust me, you will work up an appetite. We were both covered in mud so the final stop at the Blue Holde was needed. The water was refreshing and made for a great 30 min break.amyg8586
December 2020
Mayawalk went above and beyond during my trip. I emailed a lot of questions before traveling since the rules and restrictions were ever changing. Samantha patiently answered everything I asked at all hours of the day. When my tour was canceled, she found me another one I could join. She coordina...
Mayawalk went above and beyond during my trip. I emailed a lot of questions before traveling since the rules and restrictions were ever changing. Samantha patiently answered everything I asked at all hours of the day. When my tour was canceled, she found me another one I could join. She coordinated my rides with Karim to and from the airport. He also was my driver on my tour. He's so warm and friendly and truly shared his love of his country with me. Samantha also checked in on me even when I misunderstood and ended up booking a tour with a different company one day. I would 100% recommend MayaWalk to anyone traveling and I will definitely be back. I was one of very few tourists able to experience Belize during the strangest of times. Belize is severely being impacted by lack of tourism and I would encourage anyone to travel when they can do so safely. Also, Walter was amazing for the crystal cave tour. It was such an adventurous experience spelunking and he made us feel safe and was so informative.Jessyssej16
March 2020
Gio was fantastic from the moment he picked us up. His vehicle was comfortable and he is a wealth of knowledge about all things Belizean. The cave is spectacular and felt safe with him the entire time. He is patient and makes sure we had a great time.
Gio was fantastic from the moment he picked us up. His vehicle was comfortable and he is a wealth of knowledge about all things Belizean. The cave is spectacular and felt safe with him the entire time. He is patient and makes sure we had a great time.