Day Trip To Crystal Cave And Blue Hole National Park

Absolutely amazing day. From our driver, Juan Carlos who picked us up and made us feel welcome with personal stories, local folklore and historic trivia to our guide, Pedro who was not only knowledgeable about the caves and history, but also was patient and encouraging and made the Mayan history come alive. I am 59 years old, and Crystal cave is a phsically challenging adventure. There were times I thought I couldn't do it, but Pedro assured me I can do it, helped me when needed, and the encouragement of my fellow covers and I made it! Lunch was delicious and the swim in Blue Hole was refreshing. We returned exhausted but exhilarated by our adventure. Highly recommend Mayawalk Tours and especially Juan Carlos and Pedro. Thank you for an amazing experience and once in a lifetime memories.❤️

CRYSTAL CAVE REVIEW: I did Crystal Cave with Maya Walks and I would definitely say this is not something to miss when in San Ignacio. It’s very different to ATM cave so I would recommend doing both if you can. Markus was our guide and I think he was probably the best guide I’ve ever had. I often find guided tours a bit dry/boring but I was honestly captivated by everything he had to say. He was also amazing at clearly explaining everything we needed to do to traverse the cave. The cave itself is absolutely stunning, especially the crystal cave part, it’s totally magical. There are plenty of Mayan artefacts too, including one skull. You do need a reasonable level of fitness to be able to complete the cave but you don’t have to be super fit. I would advise speaking to the team at Maya Walks if you’re unsure since they’re very helpful and knowledgeable. Crystal cave was a last minute addition to my itinerary and I’m so so happy I did it as it was my highlight of San Ignacio. If you like a bit of adventure I would really say this is something not to miss!

I booked multiple tours and transfers through MayaWalk during my time in Belize including Tikal on December 27, Crystal Cave on December 28, and transportation from Belize City to San Ignacio and back to the water taxi. I originally planned to do ATM Cave, but it had been closed for several days due to weather with no clear reopening date. This is where MayaWalk stood out. The office manager Samantha was exceptional. She was empathetic, communicative, and genuinely invested in making sure I still had a great experience despite the disruption. She helped rearrange plans, gave me flexibility in case ATM reopened, and ensured I had strong alternatives so I was not left with a wasted day. She also gave excellent food recommendations. Martha’s and Pops were both great. That level of customer service is rare. Although I never got to do ATM, Crystal Cave ended up being outstanding. This is not a casual tour. It is muddy, slippery, and physically demanding, with real risk if you are not careful. The guides MayaWalk contracted, Marcus and Melvin, were exceptional. Marcus led from the front, explaining the cave and Maya history while Melvin stayed in the back making sure no one fell behind. I watched other groups pass through with a single guide far ahead, leaving people in the back unattended. That did not happen with our group. I felt safe the entire time. This mattered because I struggled physically more than others in my group. I am small, not very strong, and not particularly coordinated, but I never felt rushed or unsafe. The guides were patient, attentive, and safety-focused throughout. I would not do that cave with anyone else and strongly recommend choosing a company that uses two guides. The Tikal tour was also excellent despite a rough start. Border delays and a very large group caused by the ATM closure meant we did not leave for the site until about 8:38 am. I was worried we would lose time, but our guide made sure we saw everything, had time at all major stops, and even took some of us back to a gift shop when we had regrets. He was knowledgeable, patient, and clearly cared about the experience. The lunch stop was excellent as well. I research tours extensively and am budget-conscious, but customer service matters most to me when plans go sideways. MayaWalk puts people first. They were flexible, supportive, and made sure I still had meaningful experiences despite disruptions. I never felt treated like an inconvenience. They earned my trust and loyalty, and I would recommend them without hesitation.

MayaWalk Tours provided a great tour for Crystal Cave. Our driver, Zander, pick us up at our hotel which was nice. We went to the office first where they verified we had the proper attire, footwear and plenty of water, Zander then drove us to the visitor center where we would begin our adventure. Jose Garcia was our guide with over 30 years of experience in giving Crystal Cave tours. His knowledge was amazing. He named many butterflies, mushrooms, and trees on the way to the entrance. Sharing the history of the area along the way was very interesting. Being knowledge about this area, he shared Mayan history and folklore about the cave as well. We were not rushed going in and were allowed to take many photos. When we reached the area where z80% of the hikers turn around, Jose was concerned for our age since he had never had a couple in their 70’s venture the entire hike. He gave us a choice to continue or turn around. We chose to continue. From that point forward, the formations were incredible. Some inclines and declines were taxing. Jose’s guidance and suggestions in hiking this portion of the cave was very helpful. Wonderland (the section at the end of the cave hike) is worth the effort and perseverance. Jose helped us traverse the narrow passages and vast chambers safely, pointing out special areas of interest. We even did the passage behind Wonderland. If you go this far make sure you do the areas behind the Wonderland chamber. It is worth the hike even though you have to do it without shoes to protect the formations. (Since we did 100% of the cave, we did not get to experience the Blue Hole due to time so cannot comment on that experience. ) Upon our return to the Visitor Center, Zander had a Belizean picnic waiting for us. The Centers well was not working so we were glad he had a full container of water to wash our hands as the spelunking got us muddy from head to toe. MayaWalk Tours knows what you need on this tour. Make sure you book with them and follow their requirements for what to wear and what to bring along. We would highly recommend them and Jose Garcia and driver Zander for your Crystal Cave and Blue Hole adventure.

The ATM cave is flooded today, so we 6 people randomly choose this crystal cave for a private tour. it's really an adventure! The two guides and one driver is so nice and professional.

This was an insane experience that I highly recommend. That said, it is really not for the faint of heart. Our adventure started with our guide, Geo (shoutout!) picking us up in a van and driving us to a jungle which we hiked through for about 45 minutes. If you go in the rainy season I recommend a rain coat because we were absolutely soaked by the time we got to the gave. Once we did arrive, Geo pulled out a rope and we rapelled a short distance into the cave. From there we were in for a 3 1/2 hour experience that was both physically exhausting but also fascinating and beautiful. Once inside, we saw gorgeous cave structures (which Geo was able to explain in detail) as well as Mayan artifacts and even a human skull. Geo was a great guide, showing us handholds and footholds, ways to slide into cramped spaces and ensuring we were safe. That said, this was not for anyone who is claustrophobic or not in decent shape. Overall, this was a very memorable experience, unique from any cave tours I've been on in other places.

We had a fantastic experience! We had initially planned an ATM tour, but unfortunately, it was closed due to rain. The team at Maya Walk kept us informed and offered alternative options, which I really appreciated. We decided to go to Crystal Cave instead, and while it was very challenging for me, it was incredibly rewarding. Our guide, Jose, was very patient and made sure we weren't rushed at all. Our driver, Ronald, waited for us the whole time and had a delicious lunch ready as soon as we returned. Overall, it was a wonderful experience!

We've been choosing the crystal cave tour, because the ATM was flooded. Is was a quite exhausting but super interesting and wonderful tour. Giovanni shared his huge knowledge about general Belize (Cultures, Communities, History) as well as specific Mayan history and culture. You could feel from the first moment, that he's an experienced guide who's passion is to explore and explain. In the jungle and especially in the cave, it felt very safe the way he guided us. We would recommend this tour with this guide to everyone who's not afraid of some hike and some climbing. The cave itself is mostly wide and the halls are often surprisingly huge. Narrow parts are rare and you always see an exit of the narrow part, so no need to get claustrophobic.

My 60 year old father and I did the Crystal Caves tour with guides Marcos and Jose. What an incredible journey! I suspected it was going to be challenging but I still underestimated the amount of physical prowess needed! That being said, I never felt unsafe and it was great to get down and dirty and feel challenged (ATM felt like a Disneyland kid ride compared to this). We were 1 of 2 groups down in the cave so it felt very private, in contrast to ATM where we were shoulder to shoulder waiting in line at some bottlenecks. At some point our group split in 2, 1 turned back and 1 continued on to Wonderland, based on skill/ability to descend into the harder to access parts of the cave. I am infinitely grateful to Jose who led us down to Wonderland and shared his intimate love of caving and ‘extreme adventure’ with us along the way. My experience would not have been complete without making the descent to Wonderland! Jose was so kind and patient and exuded passion for caving and rescue. My father thinks this tour should come with a more robust warning about the physical ability required to reach Wonderland- I think if you’re just slightly above average physical fitness level, you would be fine, but it takes mental fortitude as well! And even if you’re an exceptional rock climber, still expect to be covered in mud by the end-there are tight spaces you have to slide through. Bring 3-4L of water per person, and plenty of snacks too. I highly recommend (if you are physically able) to ask your guide to take you to wonderland- they may not if you do not specifically request. They may even say ‘no’ if your group is too slow! But the experience overall was unforgettable and I encourage everyone to request Jose for this tour!

This was one of the coolest things I have ever done in my life. Words can't capture how amazing it is to be deep inside a cave formed millions of years ago and used as a special ceremonial location by the Mayan people. Truly amazing. This tour is strenuous. We slid down rocks and mud on our backsides. You will need to use your hands and upper body strength as leverage as you descend into the cave and your hands get muddy immediately. It was very slick and you need to be somewhat athletic to complete this. Our group split up about 45 minutes into the cave as one person was not recommended to complete the entire cave due to their abilities. I stayed with the slower group as I didn't feel comfortable picking up my pace. Our group still got to see the major sites like the human remains and ashes from ceremonies and pottery. Our climb back out of the cave was slow but we had lunch right after we arrived back at the parking lot at 2:30. There is a 30 minute hike to and from the cave. You will need good bug spray for the mosquitoes for the hike and for the parking lot area. The other group returned at 4pm and ate lunch and we departed. You need good hiking boots for this tour with good grip. You need good hiking / climbing pants to slide around in and will be in contact with rocks. You need long sleeves as your forearms will be useful as leverage. We were told to bring 2L of water each, snacks, a camera or phone for pictures, and bug spray only into the cave. I would bring some quick energy (sugar) and some other snacks to have along the tour to keep your energy up. I would try to bring the smallest backpack or bag possible as there are some really tight squeezes in the cave and even sometimes you will have to wear the bag on your front or pass it down to someone else while you squeeze through a tiny rock opening. You and your backpack will get very very dirty so also bring a full change of clothes. Our group didn't go swimming after but I don't think anyone was too upset about that. There are no bathroom spots in the cave so we used the "facili-trees" beforehand so bring some toilet paper and a trash bag for your trash. Our tour guide was Marcos and Jose. Jose stayed with the faster group and Marcos stuck with us and he was absolutely incredible. So patient and helpful and encouraging. He clearly knows a lot about the Mayans and happily shared so much detail. I can tell he really loves to share his culture with us and I really appreciate it. Marcos made this tour very special and amazing.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

My girlfriend and I were spending 2 days in San Ignacio and really wanted to do some caving. We had originally signed up for the ATM tour but due to rain It was closed. The staff at Mayawalk were very prompt and attentive in giving us other options. We are in shape and wanted a challenge. Crystal Cave was the perfect cave experience for us. It is definitely not for everyone. You are climbing through very tight corridors and leaning on ledges for some of the descent and ascent. At one point our tour guide said we were 2000 feet below. It was absolutely worth It if you can handle being truly deep in a cave. We spent roughly the entire day hiking an hour to the cave. 4 hours in the cave, and an hour hike back. There are bugs so bring bug spray and lots of water because It is very humid. You are going to be very sweaty and covered in dirt and mud. The tour was incredible and Mayawalk has lunch ready for us after the caving. If you’re in shape and looking for a challenge i would recommend this even over ATM! We were wiped out afterwards. Once in a lifetime experience.

Amazing. Very challenging, perfect for those who want an adventure and want to weed out some of the crowds. The glittering formations and Mayan artifacts make this place so special. Definitely need to be very fit, and some rock climbing experience and lots of bravery wouldn’t hurt. I didn’t fully believe the reviews that said it’s challenging— it definitely is but this is perfectly what we wanted. What made this really special were the people. Giovanni was our guide and he is incredibly passionate about what he does and knows so much about caves and the region. His skill set is incredible. He knows the details of the geology, biology, and Mayan culture and can get as in depth as you’d like. Also really patient as one of us got heat stress and had to go very slow for the second part. Basically gave us a course in bouldering 101 too. Can’t recommend him enough. Our driver Karim was a really thoughtful, nice guy too who also knows a lot about the Mayans and local geography. He pointed out many interesting features on the drive up and was generally just a really nice guy. Definitely wear long pants... they might get a bit shredded but better than your legs. Can’t recommend these guys and this tour enough for the more adventurous types.

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 !

This was truly an amazing experience! Especially since it was my wife and my first time spelunking (cave exploring). You start the trip by hiking several miles through the jungle. The first part is a smooth path but it gets more intense as you go on. Definitely wear sturdy shoes and bring tons of water/energy snacks. Once you get to the cave entrance you hold onto a rope to get you down a cliff and hike a trail to the bottom of the main cavern. Now this is where it gets interesting and is not for the faint of heart. It looks like the trail ends until your guide wiggles under a rock overhang and you crawl through a tight passage way to enter the underworld. This is a very physically demanding experience but as long as you listen to and follow your guide, you will be fine. Our guide Marcus did an amazing job and was a descendant of the Mayans so he spoke from the heart. It also was very comforting that he was a part of the Belize Search and Rescue Force. You will be exhausted by the time you get back to home base but you get to kick back and enjoy a lunch and then go swim in the blue hole. The fish will even help exfoliate your skin. :)