How to Tour the ATM Cave from Placencia, Belize

For a memorable vacation in Belize, there are few better places to visit than Placencia. This beautiful region of the country offers pristine beaches, delicious food, and is the perfect spot to begin a day trip to Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave - one of the best excursions in all of Belize.

First discovered about 25 years ago, the ATM cave features more than three miles of tunnels and caverns. Its depths are filled with unique rock formations, ancient artifacts, and even some human skeletons. These bones and other paraphernalia were left behind by the Maya people who once performed religious sacrifices and ceremonies in the cave. In fact, the cave's storied history has led National Geographic to call it one of the top sacred caves in the world.

Tours to the ATM cave from Placencia usually begin fairly early in the morning. After a scenic ride to the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, travelers then begin a 45-minute hike through the lush Belizean jungle. The area provides guests with the perfect opportunity to take a look at all of the wonderful wildlife that calls the region their home.

Having arrived at the cave, visitors must next swim across a pool of water to get to the entrance. Before entering the chambers of the cave, travelers are instructed to remove their shoes. This is done to avoid causing any damage to the cave or the historic artifacts that lie within. Once guests have finished exploring this ancient Maya marvel, they will return to the vehicle and begin the journey back to Placencia, usually arriving in the evening.

If you are thinking about taking a trip to ATM cave during your time in Placencia, you should remember to book ahead. The tour is extremely popular, so if you want to be sure that you can go, it is best to make your reservations before you even arrive in Belize.

Though you will have quite a few tour companies to choose from, Untame Belize is undoubtedly the best. Our team of travel experts can help you plan just about every aspect of your tour. This, combined with our knowledgeable and friendly tour guides, is the perfect recipe for a wonderful vacation in Placencia and a memorable trip to ATM cave.

To learn more about Untame Belize's tour services or to make a booking, all you need to do is visit our website.

Belize to Tikal Maya Ruins: A Day Trip to Guatemala's Ancient Maya Ruins

Your visit to Belize isn't complete without a day trip to the spectacular Maya ruins of Tikal in Guatemala. If you're looking to experience a Tikal tour from Belize, continue reading.

Tikal in Guatemala is a historical treasure

Tikal is one of the most important Maya ruins in the world. The Maya ruled this region from the 6th century BC to the 10th century AD. During their reign, they developed advanced mathematics, high-level engineering, advanced farming techniques, and a complex language.

Tikal is one of the finest, largest and most archaeologically rich of the ruins left by the Maya. Covering over six square miles, the well-preserved site lets you walk through temples, pyramids, houses, ball courts, royal palaces, and elevated walkways. Thousands of these buildings still stand throughout Tikal, as does the breathtaking Great Plaza that was central to Maya life.

Tikal was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. It has long been a popular attraction among visitors to Central America. If you're in Belize, it's an easy visit right over the Belize-Guatemala border.

What Makes Tikal Mayan Ruins Special

Although Belize and Guatemala are both home to many impressive Maya ruins, Tikal stands out for its sheer size and historical importance. Its location deep inside the lush, mysterious jungles of Peten takes visitors back in time to the region's earliest days.

Trekking through the forests, wetlands and towering trees of the jungle, you feel as though you're walking backwards through time, hiking the same long footpaths that brought ancient travelers to the heart of the Maya kingdom.

Nature and History at Tikal

Tikal is located in the 60,000-acre Maya Biosphere Reserve. This rare, exotic patch of earth is only a few miles from the border of Belize. Many visitors to Belize make day trips to Tikal.

The reserve is rich with natural biodiversity. As you walk to the ruins, you'll spot a huge a variety of birds and wildlife such as toucans, coati, monkeys, and pumas. The forest is filled with palms, orchids and ceiba trees.

How to Visit Tikal from Belize

Tikal is a short distance from Belize. Many tour companies operate day trips to Tikal. We recommend going booking a tour of Tikal with Untame Belize, where you'll find in-depth expertise, knowledgeable guides and comfortable, round-trip transportation. Get ready for a great Maya adventure.

Untame Belize's Tikal tours depart daily from Dangriga, Hopkins or Placencia. This all-inclusive package is the best way to experience the wonder and mystery of this great Maya site.

Getting Around Belize

With its pristine beaches, majestic waterfalls, and ancient Maya ruins, the nation of Belize truly offers something for everybody. However, if you are planning on taking a trip to this beautiful Central American country any time soon, you will need to figure out how you will get to these fabulous attractions. Fortunately, you have plenty of options to choose from, such as:

Public Buses

Public buses connect just about every village, town, and city in Belize. Known to locals as "chicken buses," these vehicles are clean, comfortable, and run regularly. However, you should be aware that they do tend to stop very frequently to let passengers on and off - meaning it can sometimes take quite a while to get from place to place.

Water Taxis

Belize's beautiful coast offers a truly unique way of traversing the nation - water taxis. Though there is no government-funded or public water transportation option, there are lots of private options to choose from. If you are staying in Belize City, for instance, you can easily connect to Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye via water taxi.

Air Travel

If you need to get around Belize in a hurry, air travel is an excellent option. Domestic flights to more than a dozen different airfields are operated by Tropic Air and Maya Island Air. The vast majority of these flights will take less than a half hour. However, as you might expect, air travel can be very expensive - so it may not be the best option if you are on a budget.

Untame Belize Shuttles and Transfers

Without a doubt, the easiest and most stress-free to get around Belize is with an Untame Belize shuttle or transfer. Whether you need to get from the airport to your hotel, or from the city to the beach, an Untame Belize's fleet of modern, fully-equipped vehicles can get you there quickly, affordably, and comfortably. Even better, all of our shuttles offer air conditioning and plenty of space for any luggage you may be carrying.

If comfortable, affordable, stress-free transportation is exactly what you are looking for, Untame Belize shuttles and transfers are the perfect options for you. To learn more about our services or to contact the team to make a booking, you can visit our website at www.UntameBelize.com.

5 Reasons To Travel To Belize In June

If you are planning on taking a trip to the picturesque Central American nation of Belize, there is no better time to do it than the month of June.

For foodies, a June trip to Belize is particularly special - because it is Lobsterfest season! During the festival, you can enjoy music, art, and, of course, plenty of delicious food.

Of course, it is worth mentioning that Belizean vacations in the month of June also tend to be a little less crowded than during the peak season. If you would prefer to enjoy a more quiet and relaxed trip, June is the month to do it.

Because of the smaller crowds that flock to Belize at this time of year, many tours, attractions, and accommodation options will offer some significant discounts to attract travelers to their facility. By booking a trip during the month of June, you can potentially save hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars off the cost of your vacation.

The month of June is also a superb time to get an up-close look at the marine life that lives in the region. Scuba diving or snorkeling with whale sharks is always a particularly popular activity at this time of year.

Of course, taking a trip to Belize during the month of June also offers you the chance to take in the many cultural and natural landmarks that make the country so popular with travelers.

For instance, you could spend a day in the jungle taking in the sights and sounds of the local wildlife. If your whale shark experience left you wanting to explore more of Belize's waters, you can take a boat ride out to the Belize Barrier Reef. For a deep dive into the unique history of the region, you can even spend some time at one of the ancient Maya ruins that are situated throughout the country.

No matter what you want to do during your Belizean adventure in the month of June, you can do it all with Untame Belize. Whether you want to book a tour or arrange a shuttle, our team of local travel experts can make sure everything runs smoothly - leaving you with nothing but wonderful memories of your time in the area. To learn more about the wide variety of tours and shuttles offered by our company, simply visit our website at www.UntameBelize.com.