Epic Travel → Central and South America → Belize → Barton Creek Cave

Location: Cayo District, Western Belize

Time Required: Half a day

Red Tape/Notes: Tours can be arranged through various tour agencies or your hotel/resort; I’d recommend trying to get on a private tour if you have the funds for it.

What’s Nearby?: ATM

Barton Creek Cave is a beautiful cave that’s a bit more straightforward as compared with a cave like ATM. The length of Barton Creek Cave is navigated by canoe or kayak, and there’s really only one main passage, although there are some upper levels/ledges which were accessed in the past for ceremonial purposes. Some ritual pottery and human remains can just barely be seen from below as you pass by. But the real joy of this cave is the vast array of amazing rock formations that you navigate through and under (there are some great sections where you have to flatten yourself into your canoe to get through the passages), and you may occasionally be dive bombed by bats. I recommend trying to go early in the morning so you can have the place to yourself – the darkness and silence are part of the appeal, and you won’t get either if there are multiple boats behind and in front of you.

Epic Travel → Central and South America → Belize → Barton Creek Cave