Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave Tour in Cayo, Belize

My husband loves history and one-of-a-kind adventures and I love new experiences, so after reading many reviews on the ATM caves we decided to go for it.   We were a bit nervous, but hoped that our status of "average physical shape for our age" would get us through the tour.

Lobby at Cahal Pech Village Resort

We booked Carlos the Caveman Tours and we met at Cahal Pech Village Resort to start our journey.   We were both wearing bathing suits, with quick dry shorts and shirts over top and we had both purchased and were wearing "swim tennis shoes" which I thought worked great for hiking in the water.    Other people in our group were wearing everything from standard hiking boots to swim sandals and had on long pants and jackets, to shorts and t-shirts.  We had bug spray and sun screen on.  Sun screen really wasn't needed because we weren't really out in the sun and we did not have any issues with bugs either, so probably could have been OK without both.   We were always a comfortable temperature.   The temperature inside of the caves and water temperature was always very comfortable.

We brought with us a complete change of clothes, including different shoes, to leave in the van for after the tour, a dry pair of socks to wear for part of the cave tour, and a bottle of water.    Nothing else was allowed in the cave.

There is a maximum amount of people allowed in the caves per day and a maximum number of people allowed on each individual tour (which is 8) so you should plan on booking your tour as early as you can.   With that being said, the caves were not crowded.

We met our group and I was very pleased to see a women that was probably around 70 years old in my group and her name was Anna.   I thought if she could do it, I could do it!  The rest of our group ranged in age from a newlywed couple in their mid 20s to a married couple in their 50s.

The tour started out with our group traveling in a van for about 45 minutes down some VERY bumpy roads.  I am a wimp and get car sick easy, so I sat in the front of the van and had no issues.
When we arrived at our destination our tour guide fitted each of us with hard hats with headlamps and we were offered life jackets.   Anna decided to wear a life jacket and the rest of the group did not.   We all put our dry socks in the top of our hats and headed off on the hike.

Start of the hike (although this
picture is from after the hike,
after we had changed our clothes)

We hiked through the rain forest for about an hour to get to the mouth of the cave.  The hike itself is very flat and our group was very leisurely paced, but you do have to walk across rivers to get to the mouth of the cave.  All of the river crossings had ropes you could hang on to as you crossed.  I found it was easier to just walk on my own.

Once we arrived at the mouth of the cave our tour guide went in first.  He would explain to us every step we should take, including exactly where we should put our feet when we were going over rocks.   The guide had the safety of our group, along with preserving the artifacts, as his top priority.  He had Anna go after him and then the rest of us followed along.   You kind of work as a team with your group as you go through the cave.  I watched the foot placement of the man in front of me, so whatever he did, I did, and he was doing everything the trained guide told him to do.  I knew if he did it and was OK, then I would be OK too.

As soon as you enter the cave you swim a short distance.   The swim was an easy swim (and you could have a life jacket on if you wanted) and the water was a nice temperature - not too hot and not too cold.   Anna actually said half way through the hike she wished she did not have the life jacket because it was just getting in her way and the swims were easy enough that it wasn't needed.

From that point on we were wading through water, climbing up rocks, swimming every now and then, and squeezing through a couple of tights spots.  I am having a really hard time describing the experience because it was so truly different than anything I have done before or probably will do again!   The caves were breathtaking.  The Mayan Ruins were unbelievable.  You really feel like you are back in time getting to peak into a world that you never thought you would experience first hand.  

Overall everyone on in our group loved the experience.   Something you have to see to believe and I really think it is something everyone should see!  

Passports

Did you know it has been 10 years since passports became mandatory for U.S. Citizens to travel between the United States and Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. 

And since passports are valid for 10 years, the U.S. State Departments excepts a surge in renewal requests this year, possibly taking up to 16 weeks to process.

Most countries require that your passport be valid for up to 6 months at time of arrival to your destination. 

Check out the State Department Website for renewals.
http://www.state.gov/travel

And check those passports, don't get stuck!

Dining Rewards

         




One 1/2 of pondering perks was not taking advantage of this easy way to earn points!

Are you doing this easy reward system?

Just link your credit card and when you dine out at participating restaurants- you will earn points!  I am embarrassed to say-a place I have breakfast at least once a week is a participating restaurant-shame on me!

These are the most lucrative out right now- you can also look at Southwest and Jet blue.  And for hotels- Hilton and IHG.   You can sign up for them all-just use a different card for each one.

Delta 
Right now they have a  bonus- 3K points when you dine at a participating restaurant

https://skymiles.rewardsnetwork.com/

For a limited time, join SkyMiles^® Dining and earn (within your first 30 days):

• 500 bonus miles* for your first visit to a participating restaurant;
• 1,000 bonus miles for your second visit to a participating restaurant;
• 1,500 bonus miles for your third visit to a participating restaurant

for a grand total of 3,000 bonus miles.

*SkyMiles^® Medallion Members earn 1,000 bonus miles for their first visit, for a total of 3,500 bonus miles!

Fine print-

To earn rewards through this bonus, you must first register for the bonus. Within 30 days of creating a dining profile, you must dine at any participating restaurants, bars, or clubs and spend at least $30 (including tax and tip) on each check. Within 30 days of every visit, you must also complete a post-dine survey of the restaurant, bar, or club. Please note that all checks must be paid for with a credit or debit card registered with SkyMiles Dining at the time of the visit.

American 

 Right now they have a bonus of 1K if  you dine at a participating restaurant within 30 days of signing up.

https://aa.rewardsnetwork.com/ 

Fine Print

 Within 30 days of creating your dining profile, you must dine at any participating restaurant, bar, or club and spend at least $30 (including tax and tip) on your check. Within 30 days of that visit, you must also complete a post–dine survey of the restaurant, bar, or club.

 United

Right now-they have a 1K bonus for just signing up! With their bonuses right now-can earn up to 3500 miles. 

https://mpdining.rewardsnetwork.com/

Fine Print

Upon creating your dining profile, you will earn 500 bonus award miles. Plus you will earn an additional 500 bonus miles, for a total of 1,000 bonus miles, when you create your dining profile between March 1, 2016 and April 10, 2016.
To earn each additional 500 bonus miles (up to 2,500 bonus miles), you must dine within 30 days of creating their dining profile at any participating restaurant, bar, or club and spend at least $25 (including tax and tip) on your check. All restaurant visits must be completed by May 10, 2016 at 11:59 pm Eastern time to qualify for this promotion. Limit one bonus–qualifying visit per restaurant per day. Please note that all checks must be paid for with a credit or debit card registered with MileagePlus Dining at the time of the visit. You may earn this additional bonus amount five times for a maximum amount of 3,500 bonus miles (initial 1,000 bonus miles plus 2,500 bonus miles).

 

Tikal

                                                           Guatemala/Tikal

Tikal was a highlight to our San Ignacio portion of the trip.   Since we had 4 of us- it made more sense to go private ($150 pp)  as it was about the same as a group tour and we would then be on our own schedule.

The price included - transportation to and from the hotel, Tikal entrance fee, Tour Guide, road tolls, lunch, water and sodas.  We did have to pay a separate tax to enter Guatamala.

We were very close to the border -only about 20 minutes but it was about an hour and 1/2 to Tikal.

We stopped for a photo  at a Lake- it was nice to get out and see some local life.  No boats or houses on the Lake though-it was a national park.

After entering Tikal- we spent about 2 hours with our guide exploring the ruins and the park.  Our guide was great having us avoid any crowds (though it seemed like a light day at the park) and leading us through the jungle a bit which I did not see any of the bigger groups doing.

                                        Star Wars Trivia!  Take a look at the below picture.
                                                    Top photo is from my i phone
                                             Bottom picture is the rebel base on Yavin 4.

After a Belkin Break with our guide it was on to the best part-the Tikal Temple.






It is one of the largest archaeological sites and urban centers of the Pre-Colombian Maya Civilization dating back to 4th Century BC though it reached its peak between 200-900 AD.  It was re discovered in the jungle in 1853 and became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.

Pictures don't do the site justice.  We all felt like this day was a must do and really enjoyed the whole experience.  Our guide was great and it was a nice day spent in Guatemala!