Crystal Cave (Mountain Cow Cave) Tours and Tickets

Q: What should I wear to Crystal Cave?

Travelers should wear long pants with a long-sleeve shirt for protection to explore Crystal Cave in Belize’s Blue Hole National Park. Also, wear sturdy sneakers, hiking boots, or waterproof hiking sandals, and be sure to bring a change of dry clothes if you plan to swim afterward; there are on-site changing facilities. Bring bug spray and wear sunblock, too.

Q: Is Crystal Cave worth it?

Yes. Travelers say that Crystal Cave is one of the highlights of their trip to San Ignacio. It’s the former site of sacred Mayan rituals and ceremonies, where remnants such as ceremonial bowls, pots, and even skeletal remains from sacrificial victims have been left behind. Plus, impressive stalactites and stalagmites form an otherworldly underground setting.

Q: Is it cold in Crystal Cave?

No. Because of its location, Crystal Cave is relatively warm compared to others in colder climates. The air temperature is typically around 75℉ (23℃) and usually is stable throughout the year. Physical activity will keep your body temperature up, so remember to drink plenty of water.

Q: What do you see on a Crystal Cave tour?

During a guided tour of Crystal Cave in Belize, travelers will be able to witness giant stalactites and stalactites, sparkling limestone formations, and ceremonial artifacts left behind by the ancient Maya, including shards of pottery, obsidian, beads, and fire pits with charcoal ash, as well as evidence of sacrificial human remains.

Q: How long does it take to go through Crystal Cave?

Once you reach the Blue Hole National Park, the hike to Crystal Cave is about 45 minutes to an hour, mostly uphill, while exploring the cave typically lasts 1.5–2 hours, but some tours allow more time. Most guided tours from San Ignacio are 8–9 hours, including an hour's drive to and from Blue Hole National Park.

Q: Is it dark in Crystal Cave?

Yes. Visitors are equipped with headlamps, as Crystal Cave has no light source. Guides often instruct visitors to turn off their lights for a moment to experience the total darkness. Because of this, the adventure may not be suitable for travelers with claustrophobia or fear the dark and tight passageways.

2 results

Best Seller

Crystal Cave and Blue Hole National Park Day Trip from San Ignacio

Explore the mysteries of the Mayan underworld without getting bogged down with booking taxis and tickets on an expedition to Crystal Cave in Belize’s Blue Hole National Park. On this full-day trip from San Ignacio, a guide will lead you along a lush jungle trail to the cave entrance, where you’ll spelunk your way through limestone formations and encounter ceremonial artifacts left behind by the ancient Maya. You'll also visit the Blue Hole, a natural sinkhole surrounded by tropical forest.

...More

4.6

(17)

Crystal Cave and Blue Hole National Park Day Trip from San Ignacio

9 hoursFree Cancellation

from $140

Price varies by group size

Day Trip To Crystal Cave and Blue Hole National Park

Discover some of Belize’s top natural attractions with ease on an 8.5-tour of Crystal Cave (Mountain Cow Cave) in the Blue Hole National Park from San Ignacio. Following a moderately challenging hike, you’ll descend to Xibalba, the reputed entrance to the Mayan underworld, and marvel at stalagmites, stalactites, and crystal formations. Plus, you’ll swim in the Blue Hole and enjoy a hearty lunch accompanied by rum punch.

...More

5.0

(20)

Day Trip To Crystal Cave and Blue Hole National Park

8 hoursFree Cancellation

from $150

Price varies by group size

What are people saying about Crystal Cave (Mountain Cow Cave)

Crystal Cave and Blue Hole National Park Day Trip from San Ignacio

Toni_T, May 2025

We made it to Wonderland!!

We originally had 2 members back out due to uncertainties and fear, last minute late the night before they decided they wanted to give it a go, they were very responsive and accommodating by last minute finding us another guide to accommodate our group size. Moderate hike due to heat and elevation, would say it’s probably not as bad when the weather is more cool, cave itself was amazing, challenging, only a few small crevices, never felt like we were going to be stuck within them so I can’t fully agree with the claustrophobia comments. We went during dry/hot season at end of May so cave was not muddy nor was it very cool down there, we did not wear long sleeves due to the heat, we were the only group in there. Selwyn and Jose from Belize Caving Expeditions were very patient with us as we had some anxious people in our group, took their time to ensure our safety, gave us very interesting history about the caves, took the time to re-evaluate and change our routes in the cave based off some of the hesitancy with members in the group but remained encouraging. Since we had some anxious members who needed more help and the cave took us longer then expected so we did not have enough time to do the inland blue hole. We came out to a well deserved lunch waiting for us, was delicious. We are proud to say we were part of the 20% of people who make it to wonderland! I recommend after getting that far to continue to the end, you’re almost there! Wonderland consists of some rock scrambling, bare feet no shoes allowed, was amazing too see and a once in a lifetime experience - remember this is the whole purpose of the hike! You also have to remember that the Mayans used to do this hike barefoot, with a single torch, and were much smaller then us- if they did it you can too!!!! This was an amazing and incredibly challenging once in a lifetime experience, our guides made it the experience that it was and were so grateful! Do not let the unknown scare you, challenge yourself! I will say if you are a larger person you may have some difficulty getting through some areas of the cave, and this is not for someone who is extremely out of shape. Bring plenty of water!!! We had about 3L each and with the heat we experienced it was barely enough.

Crystal Cave and Blue Hole National Park Day Trip from San Ignacio

John_M, Jul 2025

Once in a lifetime

Incredible, once in a lifetime experience. I’m sure other guides are great, but I highly recommend getting Selwyn if you can. I was unqualified, unprepared, and untrained, and he made it happen. I haven’t been physically and mentally pushed like that since I submitted Kilimanjaro a few years ago. THIS IS NOT FOR everybody, and many people don’t finish, and those that get to the end where you have to do a barefoot climb, many people can’t complete that, but it’s truly once in a lifetime. If you want to push yourself and experience something like nothing else you’ve ever done, do this. Tight spaces, high vertical climbs without ropes, you name it. If you’re tired of excessively safe, highly sanitized, tourista activities like me, this will satisfy your needs like it did me.

Day Trip To Crystal Cave and Blue Hole National Park

Ashley_P, Dec 2023

Challenging but doable; worth every moment

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.