Explore Barton Creek Cave by Canoe – A Journey into the Mayan Underworld

Easy, peaceful cave tour near San Ignacio. Family-friendly and unforgettable.

barton creek cave

Barton Creek Cave Canoeing Tour – Explore Belize’s Hidden Maya World

Discover the magic of Barton Creek Cave, an ancient Maya ceremonial site stretching over 6 kilometers beneath the jungle. With Pacz Tours’ licensed local guides—trusted in Belize for over 28 years—you’ll canoe under cathedral-like ceilings past pottery, artifacts, and limestone formations older than recorded history.

This is the most peaceful, family-friendly cave adventure near San Ignacio, requiring no hiking or climbing. Simply sit back in your canoe and let our expert guides paddle you into the heart of the Maya underworld.

  • Canoe inside a sacred Mayan cave system
  • See ancient ceremonial chambers, pottery, and skeletal remains
  • Admire stunning geological formations
  • Learn from certified, experienced Belizean guides
  • A calm and accessible cave tour—ideal for families, first-timers, and nature lovers

Pickup: From your hotel, resort, Airbnb, or a pre-arranged location
Departure: 9:00 AM or 1:00 PM

  1. Scenic Drive to Barton Creek: Pass through what use to be a traditional Mennonite community on your way to the cave, catching glimpses of horse-drawn buggies and handcrafted barns.
  2. Gear Up: Your guide provides helmets and lights before the cave canoeing begins.
  3. Cave Canoeing: Paddle gently into the cave system. Along the way, your guide will share stories of Mayan rituals, archaeological discoveries, and the cave’s geological formation.
  4. Return to San Ignacio: After the peaceful paddle, you’ll have the option to swim in the cool, clear waters before returning.
  • Swimwear & towel (for a post-tour swim)
  • Reusable water bottle (no single-use plastic)
  • Comfortable clothes
  • Camera (preferably in a dry bag)
  • Respectful mindset – this is a sacred Maya site
  • Licensed local tour guide
  • Round-trip transportation
  • All gear (canoes, helmets, lights)
  • Entrance fees and taxes
  • Pickup and drop-off at hotels, resorts, or Airbnb

What Makes This Tour Unique?

Booking Info

Book Barton Creek Cave Tour!

Limited spots available – Reserve your canoe today!

FAQs

  • Families with young children or older adults
  • Travelers short on time looking for a half-day adventure
  • Anyone curious about Maya culture and Belizean nature
  • First-time cave explorers who want a calm introduction

Yes! Barton Creek is our most accessible cave tour with no hiking or climbing involved. Great for families, seniors, and first-timers.

No prior experience is needed. The canoes are stable and your guide does the paddling unless you’d like to join in.

Swimming is not allowed inside the cave, but there’s an option to swim at the cave’s entrance area after the tour.

Absolutely! Barton Creek pairs well with Xunantunich, Big Rock Falls, or the Green Iguana Project.

  • Cancellation must be made 48hrs in advanced to received a refund, less 4.5%.
  • Booking made less than 24hours, must be paid in full. Please read our cancellation policy for more information.

Location

Ready to Explore Barton Creek Cave?

Join us for a journey into the sacred world of the ancient Maya—one paddle at a time.

Book now and experience the underground magic of Belize with expert local guides.

Review of tour done at Caracol in Belize

"Private tours at reasonable prices
We used Pacz tours to go to Barton Creek and Caracol and were guided by Pedro on both occasions. Emilio was extremely helpful and able to accommodate us with less than 24 hours' notice on both occasions. Pedro was professional and knowledgeable and conversed with us rather than lecturing. We thoroughly enjoyed both our outings and highly recommend this company.