Very cool place! Highly recommend if you are in the area

This park changed my view of Tegucigalpa, literally as well as figuratively. The view of the entire city was breathtaking. The structures and facilities are impressive. An impressive copy of a Mayan temple, the Eiffel Tower, and a giant Cristo de Picacho as well as a zoo and play areas for kids coupled with cleanliness and stocked bathrooms are a refreshing experience. JG LTjg USN ret.

A very nice place to do several activities: they have canopy, trials for biking and walking, a wedding chapel, a Zoo, an area for private parties or gatherings, a museum, an overlook of the city etc..

El Parque del picacho is at the very top of a mountain. The road to get there is in decent conditions. I visited el Picacho during Christmas, and it had Christmas lights everywhere. It looked like they did a good job at decorating the place. They have food stands almost in every turn. Parking is decent. Be ready to walk in case you have to park far.

A nice park at the top of a mountain in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Lots of space to walk it's roads, trails, with a great look out of the city. Don't forget to get pics of the Christ monument that surveys the city.

The park is worth visiting. I would recommend at the evening. The view is amazing at the night . But my only concern is with the ticket prices. There are multiple tickets in this park to visit the attractions. Instead they can have just one ticket for everything. The prices of the tickets are completely different on day and evening. The park is well secured and maintained. Lots of food stalls inside the park I also observed people were celebrating parties inside the park with families and friends. The Mayan ruin was spectacular. It’s well maintained and worth the visit. I would highly recommend this park to families and friends. But just be careful with the multiple ticketing.

Parque El Picacho: A Verdant Sanctuary of Breathtaking Panoramas and Pristine Conservation Rating: 5/5 stars Parque El Picacho emerges as a sublime gem nestled in harmony with nature, offering an immersive experience that celebrates the majesty of the outdoors through its unspoiled landscapes and meticulously preserved environs. This Honduran haven distinguishes itself as an idyllic destination for enthusiasts of hiking, outdoor pursuits, and those seeking communion with nature's splendor. Unparalleled Natural Allure - Panoramic Vistas: Parque El Picacho boasts commanding views that unfurl breathtaking tapestries of surrounding topography, blending mountainous contours with verdant expanses, crafting vistas that indelibly etch themselves upon the memory. - Exemplary Preservation: The park's evident commitment to conservation underscores a laudable ethos ensuring its natural beauty remains intact, inviting visitors to traverse trails amidst pristine ecosystems teeming with indigenous flora and fauna. - Trail Networks & Accessibility: Thoughtfully curated pathways cater to diverse aptitudes, rendering Parque El Picacho an inviting arena for hikers and outdoor aficionados seeking both challenge and serenity in nature's embrace. Catalyst for Connection & Adventure - Outdoor Activities: The park serves as a fertile playground for myriad pursuits—hiking, birdwatching, photography—each activity harmonizing with the setting's intrinsic wild beauty to foster profound engagement with the natural world. - Ecological Richness: Biodiversity flourishes within Parque El Picacho's protected precincts, promising encounters with native species and underscoring the ecological vitality nurtured through conscientious stewardship. - Serenity & Inspiration: Amidst trails winding through lush habitats, tranquility interweaves with inspiration, Parque El Picacho proving a sanctuary where reflection and adventure coalesce in balanced measure. Commendation Parque El Picacho stands as a testament to the potent synergy of natural beauty and dedicated conservation, beckoning those who cherish the outdoors to discover its trails, vistas, and enveloping peace. For aficionados of hiking, nature immersion, and unspoiled landscapes, this park represents an essential Honduran treasure promising transformative experiences etched against the canvas of its majestic surroundings. Sincerely, The Perfecto Cleaners Team

Nice variety of birds and a pretty explanation of the efforts to preserve and enhance the population of the Scarlett Maccau.

This was my favorite moment in Honduras! I had an unforgettable experience visiting this beautiful park. The variety of birds is astounding, and it's clear that they are well-cared for in their naturalistic habitats. The park is immaculately maintained, with lush surroundings that create a serene atmosphere perfect for a leisurely stroll. One of the highlights of my visit was getting up close to rare and exotic species. The interactive exhibits and feeding sessions are both educational and fun, making it an ideal destination for families and bird enthusiasts alike. It's easy to spend several hours here, soaking in the sights and sounds of nature.

We loved this place. The birds are gorgeous. The heat of the day wasn't as strong on the sanctuary. I appreciate what they are doing to care for the national bird of Honduras and would encourage others to go, as ticket and gift shop sales fund the organization.

Way way way better than expected. Set in a beautiful river canyon, this sanctuary and hatchery boasts very nice birds in a super nice layout. Seems thoughtful and well planned start to finish. Workers all very friendly. Felt very good about spending money here while in Copan Ruinas. Very informative with many infographics to let you know what is what. Recommend for sure.

This place is awesome. You walk through a forest like atmosphere that allows you to see as well as interact with various tropical birds including macaws and toucans. You even get to hold them and take pictures. Definitely worth it to go to

Such a neat place, and a sanctuary as well! You can learn a lot from the staff and all the signs... Nice walk through the forest, about 80+ birds, and even a few in an open courtyard for photos. Great coffee too!

Absolutely worth the time and money to visit especially if you are an animal lover! We had a wonderful time wandering among the birds and learning all about the wonderful work that is being done to revitalize the native bird population of Copan.

We took Semu Champey tour and it was absolutely amazing. I think our experience was even better because our tour guide. Jungle boy is very funny, enthusiastic and outgoing. He was born there and therefore he knows everything you need during this tour. The tour took 8 hours around and thankfully it didn’t rain until the end of it. We did things we’ve never done before and they were beyond our fears. We went through a cave with full of water, dark and small, he made sure everything was fine the whole time, and you really can do the jumps and sliding if you want. Aside of jumping from a swing and tubing for a few minutes, we hiked had a big included lunch and finally we swam in the nine pools available for swimming and jumping. We def think that without a guide this is not imposible and even less enjoyable.

Absolutely amazing! Observe that there is no need for a tour guide. I recommend using the parking (if you are in your own vehicle) next to the entrance (Q10) rather than right after bridge (Q50). The hike up to the viewpoint is strenuous, but IMHO worth it. Dogs only allowed if emotional support documentation available.

We went to Semuc with our hostel and we thought it was amazing. A natural beauty. The pools were very clear and clean despite raining a few days before. The view point is great and worth the climb. Would recommend.

Gorgeous place. Our trip was organised by Mayan Gateway with local guide Eli. We climbed the stairs to the Mirador first - took about 20 minutes- which was hot and sweaty and hard on the lungs and legs but worth it for the view and made the swimming afterwards especially nice. There are toilets and changing rooms near the pools as well as lockers (bring your own lock) but most people seem to leave bags on the bank within line of sight. Don't worry about swim shoes - the rocks are smooth and the water is deep. There were a few lifeguards too.

One of the most beautiful places to see in Guatemala. Great for a day trip for swimming and a little hiking to the view point. Hike to view point is a bit steep but so worth the view!

Freaking awesome! But food availability is VERY limited. Take swimming gear, snacks and plenty of water. Then just enjoy the absolutely amazing atmosphere 😍

Genuinely the most beautiful place I’ve ever visited. Sensational pools, beautiful views and magical mountain scenery. The cost for entrance is 50GTQ (£5), which can be paid on arrival without booking. When you arrive, you can pick up reasonably priced drinks and food from street vendors before entering the park. The walk to the viewing point is c. 30-40 minutes up stairs / rocks. It’s relatively slippery, so go carefully. We drove the whole way to Lanquin from Flores. It’s possible in an average rental (4x4 not needed), but is a challenging drive. Always stick to the main roads no matter what your navigation says, as the side roads are very sketchy (steep, slippery, big rocks, etc). Avoid driving at night, as lots of people / animals / cars use the roads, which are not lit. The entrance to the park is accessed via a 10 minute shuttle from Lanquin, which costs around 50-100 GTQ for a return trip. You could drive it in a 4x4 (or possibly in a normal car, with a high risk tolerance), but I’d recommend going via a shuttle, which can be easily found in Lanquin or via your hostel. We didn’t do the cave tours and were perfectly happy at the main section - you can access everywhere aside from the caves in the normal fee.

Visited January 2022. It's a peaceful natural area. Walking from Livingston takes some time but you get beach views the whole way through. Recommended of in the area but not necessarily a destination. The history of the Garifunas was honestly my favorite part.

Still controlled by the Garinfuna people and we'll deserved.. The place is clean and well managed. Nice trek in the woods/jungle to reach the waterfalls. I spent the whole day there with my wife for her birthday and she loved it. I was a lucky guy that night.

The hidden waterfalls are not simply called hidden, because it is not possible to mark the beginning of the point on the map. From the point here on the map you have to continue walking for another 8 minutes in the direction of the coastline but not next to the water. From there you reach a very local structure and the entrance fee is 20Q per person. There is a preparation of 50 meters and then you reach the first waterfall where it is not recommended to enter, further on there are 3 more large waterfalls and a nice area with such small pools that is hidden under the flow of the water. The walk is marked with ropes and is very clear, a total walk of 15 minutes each way. You can take a ferry to the starting point.

I had no expectations when I came to this place. I didn’t even looked it up on the internet. It was a great surprise! A unique place hidden in the jungle with those pools that seem taken from a dream. Almost no people when we were there at around 3pm. Everything was super clean. They charge 20 pp. TIP: if you don’t want to walk a lot (the walk is not particularly beautiful) or don’t have a lot of time you can take a boat (50pp) or a Tuk Tuk (from the city center) until the hanging bridge (5pp) and work from there around 20/25m. We used the Tuk Tuk to go back.

Nice space to explore, recommend visiting at the end of the rain season for the full pool experience but it is well maintained.

I absolutely love this place for several reasons.If you want to see semuc champey and rio Dulce/Livingston area but only have time for one then come here it’s like a mini version of it. The walk here is on a very dirty beach but don’t let it deter you because this place is beautiful!I love that the waterfall has rocks you can stand on behind it.Also be super careful of where you jump in and swim in the pool by the water fall because there are rocks and branches that you can’t see well that can hurt you or worse if you’re not careful and just jump in. 20Q to enter.Wear sturdy footwear as you are walking on rocks , there are deep holes you can trip on. Water is cold if your use to tropical water but after that long hot walk welcomed💖 Otherwise beautiful so beautiful 💖💖💖

Absolutely heavenly place, 5q pp tuktuk + 30 min walk, 20q pp entry. Totally worth it

Wow—what an experience. Caracol is absolutely breathtaking and well worth the effort to reach. From San Ignacio, plan for a 2-hour drive. The road is currently undergoing major upgrades thanks to significant government investment, so all vehicle types should likely be able to access the site in the near future. As of now, an SUV is still recommended, especially during the rainy season. Some sections are still unpaved and can become slippery when wet. We were fortunate to visit after several dry days, and our 2017 Kia Soul made it without issue. If traveling during or after heavy rain, check with the park entrance before continuing. Important tip: Download the Belize Institute of Archaeology app before you go. There is no signal at the site. The only QR codes are located at the small museum near the entrance, where you can view the stelae and other artifacts. There are no QR codes at the main ruins. The site is vast, and you’re free to explore and climb all the structures, including the main temples. Wooden staircases are available on the steeper climbs. However, there is very little signage or interpretation on-site, so come prepared with research or consider hiring a guide to fully appreciate what you’re seeing. When we visited, we saw only two other groups. It was peaceful and uncrowded. The view from the top of the main pyramid is stunning—you can see nearly to the Guatemalan border on a clear day. Bonus stop: On your way back, we highly recommend stopping at the Rio On Pools. It’s a beautiful natural swimming spot with smooth rock basins and small waterfalls. It’s free to access, safe for swimming, and has basic change rooms and natural-style bathrooms. Bring a swimsuit for a refreshing post-ruins swim. Final thoughts: Caracol was a highlight of our trip to Belize. If you’re into history, archaeology, or nature, it’s a must-see. Just plan ahead: • Gas up fully in San Ignacio before heading out • Cash only for park entry (you can buy online, but we chose to pay on-site after confirming road conditions) • Check with the gate security for the latest road status before proceeding With the right prep, it’s an unforgettable experience.

Unless it has recently rained, don't get scared away by reports of a treacherous road. Most of the road is either paved or has good gravel. The short section that is a bit rough can still be managed at low speed by almost any car with decent ground clearance or by a dual purpose motorcycle. As for the site itself, it is wonderful. Hardly anyone there. It can totally be dome without a guide, just do some reading before you go! Cost is $25 bz for non residents.

Well worth the drive which is absolutely beautiful and the road is almost completely paved now. We thoroughly enjoyed the site and it is so well kept. We took our lunch and had a nice picnic in the picnic area by the entry. There are quite a few BDF and tourism police on site so you are very safe there. We will visit again!

As of late November, the road to Caracol has been greatly improved. Most of it is freshly paved, with only a small section still under construction, so the drive is much easier than what older reviews describe. There are two checkpoints along the way, and you simply sign in at one of them. Military presence is normal and is there for protection due to iillegal logging near the boarder, but the entire journey feels safe. The archaeological site itself is massive, and large areas are still covered by dense rainforest. Exploring the huge Maya pyramids rising out of the jungle is an incredible experience. Plan for roughly 3 hours to walk and climb the main structures. Last tour/entry is at 2:00 PM. Facilities at the site include a ticket office, washrooms, and a small eating area, but you must bring your own food, as none is sold inside.

It's a full day of your life, it's an ocean of jungle and takes a while to get there, but once you're there! It's the most mind-blowing site, endlessly it seems to go on forever, your feet and your eyes will be tired before you finished. Truly a spectacle to behold and I was very lucky to be one of six people in the whole park.

Excellent drive, paved road and accessible. Grateful place to visit.

I wandered around for hours and never saw a sign saying no or a barrier. Off the beaten path but at the end of a brand new nice road this is a great ruin to get lost in. Had very little people, and you can climb to the top of everything. Definitely worth a trip.

Easy drive from Belize city or the airport. $5 to enter for tourists. I recommend you get a guide to get the interesting side of the story. The museum is before the site entrance and it's free. You can climb on any of the pyramids just ensure you keep them intact and preserve them. Watch your step as it is steep and also super slippery when wet. It's mind boggling how old these are! Recommend highly!

The most MUST DO thing in Belize. We did it with my two little siblings (13 and 16) and they had a blast. You have to book with a registered guide (I recommend Limpkin tours). You drive out there to the ranger station, hike out to the cave (crossing a river 3 times), swim into the cave, hike up into the cave through water (deepest at chest level), then take your shoes off as you explore the upper chamber. Truly a fantastic experience and the reverence you feel exploring this Mayan holy site is amazing.

This was worth the trip to Belize. Our guide Dimas was awesome! This is the real deal, you will be climbing wet rocks and need to keep your balance in and out of the water. The only safety measures are a helmet and your judgement, plus the guide's first aid and emergency equipment. Belize doesn't allow any type of cameras because some a couple idiot tourists dropped them on top of skulls causing obvious permanent damage and another one stepped on a human bone trying to get a better angle of another skull.

This is an amazing experience... if you are fit and thin. You will have an absolutely great time if you: likely are older than 16 (or well over 48 inches), confident swimmer, confident on slippery rocks, OK with tight spaces, agile and nimble, adventurous and curious. The creek crossings prior to the cave are a good test, but only of swimming not claustrophobia. Things I wish I had known: you only bring a pair of dry socks which the guide puts in their dry bag. Nothing else. No phone, no bug spray, nothing except your bathing suit, sturdy closed toe, back strapped sandals like Keens, a water shirt. Pro tip: wear neoprene reef gloves to protect the stalagtites and have a little extra grip. You must have a guide, you must book days or weeks in advance.

Such a great cave tour. Amazing to see the attracts still in place, as found. You can no longer take cameras in which is understandable since tourists dropping cameras caused major damage. You must go with an authorized guide.

HIGHLY recommend doing this! My husband and I are very well traveled and have been fortunate to participate in amazing adventures spanning over six continents. We both agree that the ATM Cave is definitely one of our top, most unique experiences! We absolutely loved it! We don't have pictures, because there's no cameras allowed. This actually ended up being a great thing for a couple reasons. One, it's kind of cool to live in the moment and experience something that only lives in your mind. Two, when you do this tour, you'll see there are actual human skulls that have been damaged by people dropping their dang phones on them! So ridiculous. Please don't skip this adventure. While there are some tight-ish spaces, all of these spaces have huge open ceilings. No tight enclosed spaces. Be sure you have a moderate level of fitness. Think of being a kid and exploring rocks and rivers, etc. You'll need to climb and balance, etc. Do it - you won't regret it!

Unbelievable experience in a one of a kind mayan cave. The formations all along the cave are truly spectacular and the mayan pottery and skeletons are quite fascinating to see and realize that they’ve been there for over a millennium.

What an amazing adventure visiting the Mayan Ruins in Tikal. Marlon was excellent. Our lunch was great. The experience, unforgettable! Marlon’s knowledge is vast! He shared some many details and history with us. He made sure to point out the various birds, monkeys, trees, in addition to all of the details about the ruins. The sunset was beautiful and the culmination of a wonderful day! Please use GEM Trips. You won’t be disappointed!

so glad I booked this trip with GEM travels for the sunrise experience. The trip ran smoothly from start to finish. Marlon is like the David Attenborough of Guatemala, so knowledgeable of the surroundings and history. Marlon shows he really cares for the rainforest & environment & wildlife which is Very heartwarming to see. The experience was truly one of a kind and Marlon took his time to show and tell everything. When other tour groups rushed off, we were able to take our time to take in the sounds/sights/smells. It was truely a sensory experience. I would highly HIGHLY recommend this trip to anyone! Thank you so much Marlon for being our guide and being so hospitable. This has been unforgettable experience! :)

This tour was amazing!! You could tell this tour company really cares about the wildlife and preserving the jungle. Marlon, our tour guide, was so knowledgeable and passionate about teaching us the history of the Mayan culture. He was very kind and attentive to all of our questions. I highly recommend booking with them. I don’t believe our experience would have been as great if we didn’t have him as our tour guide! Great food too! Book now, you won’t regret!

We absolutely loved the Sunrise Tour in Tikal! It was a fantastic experience from start to finish. Our guide Marlon was incredible – he shared his deep knowledge with so much passion and gave us fascinating insights into the history, geology, and wildlife of Tikal. Everything was perfectly organized: the transport was smooth, the food was excellent, and every detail was handled with great care. We truly had an unforgettable time and felt very well taken care of. Thank you so much for this wonderful experience!

Excellent tour! Marlon was very knowledgeable, not only about the ruins but the jungle, environment and biology. He and his wife provided 2 breakfasts which were needed to keep our energy up. It was a lot of walking and climbing, but well worth it.

Gem Trips was a phenomenal experience! The guide, Marlon, had lots of knowledge about Tikal and the wildlife. I could tell gem trips prioritizes education and preservation, which is truly special. The small group allowed for a more complete understanding of the nature and history. I highly recommend booking with them.

What a pleasure from start to finish. Marlon has so much knowledge about the history of Tikal and surrounding areas. His knowledge of wildlife is also astounding, I really calm informative and pleasurable way to spend a whole morning. Can't recommend the sunrise tour enough!!!

Pretty cool site to explore! We were able to get lots of great pictures on the Mayan ruins with no one else around! Definitely recommend to those coming to San Ignacio! Only costs 20 belize currency!

This was the most breathtaking thing I've done in Belize. I had a great fortune of getting to experience the site alone, I felt like royalty. It's such a massive site, and would make a perfect day out of anyone.

A relatively small Mayan temple site, it was occupied for most all of Mayan civilization. Very close to town, so easy to visit if you are short on time. Interesting museum and small gift shop.

Wonderful piece of history. Please be advised that their hours of operation are incorrect. They open at 6am and close at 5pm. However, the last entry into the site is 4pm. We arrived at 4:15pm thinking they closed at 6pm (according to Google) only to be denied entry. They do not have an hours of operation sign posted otherwise I would have took a photo. Besides this issue, we returned the following day and got to experience this ancient site for all its wonder. I absolutely love that you are able to climb them. Beware another reviewer also mentions a room within a room with bats on the ceiling. Bathrooms were clean and small information center was decent for what it is. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area and have time.

Very cool archaeological site with lots to see and tons of fascinating history. If you're considering going I recommend not buying tickets in advance. I bought mine online and there was some confusion. It'd likely be easier to have just bought them at the entrance. Definitely recommend all tourists to visit Cahal Pech!

A 20 minutes from town. Had the whole place to myself. A great way to fill in a couple of hours. The museum is very educational about the history of Belize.

It is interesting to walk around, but it certainly doesn’t compare to its neighbors. Also, the check-in process is rather laborious. With a drivers license age and name. Seems like a lot of paperwork for such a small experience.

We stayed at the hotel so it was a very easy choice to check out the Iguana sanctuary on a day when we got some rain. Rodolfo was our guide, he was great! he was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the iguanas. We were able to each hold an adult iguana and also see some of the younger iguanas. Highly recommend this 1hr tour, price was very reasonable and we enjoyed it so much!

What an experience! To start with the place is in a gorgeous hotel and the staff are so lovely. The tours run on the hour. We met the guy and he was super knowledgeable and made us feel at ease with the iguana. We learned so much about them! They’re precious animals and we must look after them. If you have kids or are just visiting San Ignacio, this place is a must!!

It was slow season for tourism so I essentially had a private tour Rodolfo who was very knowledgeable about the iguanas. He even pointed out a wild black iguana that was in a tree at the hotel where the project was located. I highly recommend booking this tour as the funds help protect these lovely creatures. I learned so much about iguanas in Belize and really enjoyed getting to feed and pet them.

You can tell that the staff here really enjoys what they do. The conservation work is important, and you learn so much about the iguanas. I highly recommend a visit! The tour starts every hour so plan accordingly.

Excellent experience and very informative discussion about Iguanas. We gained a greater appreciation for them and an understanding for their preservation.

A must see at San Ignacio! You get to learn about the iguanas, hold them, and donate to their conservation! A tour starts every hour from 8:00 to 16:00. Absolutely amazing place! 🦎❤️

tours are every hour, our tour guide was really informative and funny! Saw baby iguanas as it was just after mating season and got to safely hold some of the adult ones! Great conservation project and good afternoon activity!

This small zoo is a beautiful delight!! So many local creatures were easily visible!! I wish we could have heard the howler monkeys, but they were not vocal. The employees were extremely kind, too! You won't regret making this stop!! ❤️

Incredible sanctuary that truly cares about the well-being of the animals and education. All the residents are native to Belize who came here for another chance. Many species of native birds, tapirs (they are huge!), native cats, and some lizards and agouti to round out the visit. Small cafe and gift shop on site.

Rainy season has its perks - we were two of the few people at the zoo and TEC. Our room was adequate, basic, and we were glad for the AC at night. Our dinner and breakfast were very good, and they catered to my daughter's dietary needs. The pristene pool was delightful for both afternoon and morning swims - and cool-downs. The zoo was very interesting, and we appreciate what they are doing for education, care, and rehab for Belizean animals. A lot of important work goes on behind the scenes. While we enjoyed our zoo visit during the afternoon, we LOVED the nocturnal tour to see, hear, and learn more about the night animals that weren't active during the day.

Super fun experience, especially because we did a guided tour and leopard experience! Would definitely do again. The guide was super knowledgeable and a nice and chill guy. It's great to know that this zoo is one that rehabilitates the animals and only keeps the ones that were injured to the point where they probably would not survive in the wild.

This is an incredible zoo. The animals are well taken care of and appear to be very happy. Every single animal has a name! We went with a tour guide but that is not necessary. There are wonderful signs in front of every habitat that explain who the animal is and how they got there. All of the animals are injured or cannot be reintroduced to the wild for other reasons, nothing is captured. They are very environmentally conscious. Rose was my favorite animal!

A truly wonderful zoo that does amazing work for local animals. The zoo helps rehabilitate and rescue many different animals and takes great care of them. We did the jaguar and macaw experience and absolutely loved getting to interact with the animals so close. You can even stay right next to the zoo at their tropical education center which is a convenient stop near the airport for your first or last day in Belize.

This a wonderful zoo that takes in orphaned, injured or elderly birds and animals. Great for walking and learning about many different species. We were lucky enough to have one of the jaguars parade back and forth along the fence in front of us.

Completely overrated. Huge tourist trap. You even have to pay to use every bathroom on the island. The island is probably much better if you are already staying on the island. But we paid to go to the island for the day. $88 USD for ferry and then $50 USD to rent a golf cart for the day. Only worth it for the tarpon feeding. That was pretty cool. We left after 4 hours on the island-unfortunately we didn’t even feel like hanging around another 3 hours to watch the stingray feeding. The food at The Split was not good and the drinks were just okay. Service was terrible. If I had realized that the island was so overrated, maybe I would have planned more to do from that island such as snorkeling. As it was, I just felt like it was a waste of time and money.

Stopped by Caye Caulker as part of island hopping and had a good time walking around. Got to have a relaxing breakfast before heading on to the next island.

The island itself is beautiful. Sargassum can be brutal especially on the east side of the island (it is what it is but be prepared). Unless you are on a specific tour (that doesn't cancel last-minute), there is not much to do on the island itself except drink and spend money.

Caye Caulker was so awesome! We made this our first stop on our 14day trip to Belize. The only thing I would change is that it was our last stop. It was by far our favorite place between the mainland and San Pedro. We stayed in the Birdhouse (AirBNB). This is a very small island with no cars. Only some necessary trucks. Golf carts and bikes are the main mode of transportation. The first night and the last night we ate at the Pelican Sunset bar. Great place for viewing the sunset (get there early for the best seats). We did a sunset cruise with Pontiki cruises. Very enjoyable and only 6 people so not crowded, with free flowing rum punch. We also rented a kayak one afternoon from a place at the split that was fun. Our AirBNB host warned us about mosquitos as did the travel guides but we did not experience any trouble. We were there early March (so maybe it depends on the time of year?). What we loved most about this island is the laid back vibe, you can walk or bike anyway you want to go, and it is not overrun with tourist type hotels, most everything is locally run and owned. If you like adventure and are willing to sacrifice on the luxury side to experience island life then Caye Caulker is the place to visit.

Caye Caulker Island North & South and BluZen is amazing. The moto is go slow and enjoy! Carlos Tours is the Best for snorkeling,etc. Tell him Jim sent you!

The tours are fantastic. Did the whole day snorkeling tour. No suitable beaches for decent swimming unfortunately. Placencia is much better for white sand beaches and swimming.

Not what we expected! Not much to do here but maybe that’s the point? Ice cold coconut water and BBQ lunch at Ester’s made it worth the choppy boat ride from Mahogany Bay. Otherwise not sure it’s worth it even for a partial day trip?

This place blew my mind. It was deeply meaningful for me. What made it for me was my type guide, George. I plan on returning and I'm only using George as guide. So knowledgeable and was so real, like we were friends for years. Very rare connection.

I always love visiting Mayan ruins. Although they are not on the scale of Chichen Itza, they are quite interesting. There is a museum adjacent to the ruins with a replica of the largest piece of jade ever found in Mayan Ruins, a jade head that was found at Altun Ha.

Very well preserved Mayan city. We visited on ac cruise excursion, and it was not overcrowded even with multiple tours going on. Our guide led us around the area explaining the purpose for each temple and giving us an idea of what life was like here. You are able to climb to the top of several of the pyramids. We climbed up the Temple of Sun God, which was the tallest. The stairs are very steep, and it was raining while we were there so the stone was slippery, but the climb was well worth the views. Altún Ha is the closest Mayan ruins to the Belize City cruise port, so I highly recommend if you are wanting a quicker excursion.

It's a little ways away from where we stayed, but it was worth the trip. The tour guide was a new junior tour guide; she was very knowledgeable and laid back. Before doing your tour, make sure you stop at the restaurant located in the same lot. We got fried chicken, beans, and rice, and everyone agrees it's still the best rice and beans we had, and the chicken was soooo good and seasoned!!! They had music going; it was really a whole vibe. I'm dogging my food and make eye contact with the owner. I'm like, "Yes, mama, you put your foot in this! You did your thang for sure!" She smiles and says, "I wouldn't serve you something I wouldn't eat." She was so sweet. We spent some time taking shots, and my brother's partner got his hair braided, and the people were super nice and super humble. I love that in a restaurant owner. We will be back. Oh, and they got that mama juana 🦾😅🤣. Great place! 10/10, do recommend.

An amazing look into the lives of the Mayans. There is quite a large amount excavated here, with who knows how many thousands of other structures just waiting to be dug up. Unfortunately, the Belize government has no funding for further excavations, according to my tour guide. There is a very small museum here, but it’s just one room with a coupe of informative plaques and a few weapons and decorations they have discovered. You are able to walk on top of three of the structures and get an amazing view of the entire valley. Be sure to stop by the shops next to the parking lot and support the locals. Try a Belizian Coca-Cola made with brown sugar.

Altun ha is a unique place with so much history. I went on a guided tour that I booked through Carnival cruise. The tour itself took approximately one hour; the guides were knowledgeable and helpful. Keep in mind that it gets super hot and there isn’t much shade; therefore, you should bring a hat, UV clothing, a cooling fan and a bottle of water. I truly enjoyed this kind of experience and content that Ivisited such a historic area. 🫶🏻

A fun, easily accessible Maya Site. We drove up from Belize City for a quick morning visit, going early to avoid the cruise excursion crowd. The grounds are open and well-maintained. There was an elderly gentleman with us that we were able to convince to climb the structures. He had a wonderful time. It is definitely a nice, training wheels style site to visit if you are only passingly interested, because it may make the novice more curious, and yet there is also enough to entertain the Pre-Columbian hobbyist like myself.

Swimming with Belize 1 Shark, Episode 1 | We turned around this time Belize's Hall Chan Marine Reserve - the second largest coral wall in the world, which only comes after the Great Barrier Reef of Australia! In the midst of huge blue waters, this wonderful empire of the coral is like a dream of a water! But the most specially and adventure moment on this trip was snorkeling with the sharks! Yes, true! I saw under the water, I saw 3-5 sharks roaming around! Some of them came so close that it seemed, it would be possible to get caught by raising your hand! At first, even though a little scared, I realized they were quiet. Not just the shark, there was an extraordinary sea world around! Small fish of different colors are swimming, playing hide and seek in colorful corals! Great C Turtle is moving slowly somewhere, and somewhere in the coral gap, bright blue, yellow, orange fish are playing. Biodiversity is so rich under the water that wherever I keep my eyes, something is worth seeing! There is no empty space for a moment, something new is always visible! However, it was very current in the water, swimming in the stream was not easy at all! Nevertheless, this unique experience, swimming with the sharks and seeing this wonderful world below the water - it's really a Lifetime Experience! This experience of Beliz will be forever memorable in our travel diary! 🌊🦈🐢✨ Date: Jan 2025 Place: Belize 🇧🇿

We had such a wonderful experience, it was a gorgeous day. The weather was perfect and the water crystal clear all the way to the bottom. We saw tons of different fish : parrots, snapper, Jack's and even 3 turtles! It was awesome.

This is an absolute must if you’re visiting San Pedro . We went out on the Sirena Azul sailboat it docks right out in front of the Blue Tang Inn. We saw turtles, lots of different fish and swam with the nurse sharks and rays. It was awesome.

this is a very different experience, to snorkel n experience the reef, having a guide that explains the fish that you see and also takes you to all the good spots, is a must, to maximize on it.

TAKE THE TRIP! It’s so worth it!!! We did a private charter boat through Xsite but they have shared boat charters available and they are small groups so it could possibly feel semi private. We saw an eel, lobster, 4 sea turtles, lots of sharks, barracudas, starfish, huge permit fish, sting rays (2 types) , schools of different fish and more! It was amazing experience especially for my 7 year old. A guide at Xsite on the boat taught her how to snorkel 🥰

Very well preserved reef with an abundance of marine life. This protected area provides great views for snorkeling with plenty shallow areas as well as others 20-30 feet down.

We went for Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark/Ray Alley Snorkeling tour. Guided snorkeling helps to point out turtles, fishes and sharks. Enjoyed the 3-hour experience … the tour operators will register with the Marine Station. Good viewing possibilities.

This is a fantastic tour. We saw several ruins, not just one. Our guides, Eddie, and Carlos, were just fantastic. The museum on the grounds was also fascinating. If that’s not enough, we also have the pleasure of seeing monkeys.The lunch was great, and the boat ride wasn’t bad at all. Be prepared to get up early, because it does take some time to get there and back.

I enjoyed a small private tour and the boat ride to and from the site. Apparently, I chose a day with none of the herds from the cruise ships, so the place was quite deserted except for the holler monkeys. The driver's car broke down on the way back to my hotel.

One of the more elaborate Mayan Sites to reach, but worth the effort. The dramatic effect of arriving at the site after an hour boat ride lends the trip a cinematic feel. The park grounds are well-maintained and the jungle sculpted to provide many easy to traverse walking trails.

Was glad to get to visit the Lamanai Archaeological Reserve. You are able to climb the Temple of the Masks and the Temple of the Jaguar, but not the High/Great Temple. Entrance fee is BZD $10. “Lamanai is the community with the longest history of human habitation in Belize. It was settled around 900 B.C and was still occupied two and a half thousand years later, when Spanish missionaries arrived to the site in 1544.”

This is well worth your time to go see! The history here is phenomenal! The grounds are well kept, the views amazing and we even got to see some monkeys!

Amazing! The park was pretty deserted with just our 5 in the group due to a holiday. The guide knew a ton of information and was amazed when we actually saw a toucan! Its a good luck sign! Howler monkeys in the trees, bird songs everywhere! Very very fun trip!

Booked with Viator guided Lamanai Mayan Ruins with a lunch and a boat ride. The guys are great from pick up to drop off.

Fantastic! Safe. More near the action but there are a few uber-quiet places nearby to for food, beach, and swimming. Also… one of the managers was a chef so this was part of my breakfast each day 🥰

Had the best time ever at this stay. We had two Cabanas because we were a family of 4 and there's only a Full/Queen sized bed in the room. Hosts were hospitable and the breakfast meal they made us was very delicious. Host was great to communicate with and gave lots of recommendations including a golfcart rental. Theres's anice entertainment space above the main house to watch TV and grt a fee drinks/snacks with an honor system. You can't beat the location as you're literally right next to the action of Secret Beach. You walk out the back door and you're right there behind Aurora. Place is very clean and although there's no AC the rotating fan and ceiling fan help alot especially if you keep the windows open. Parking was easy at the entrance and I appreciated the hammocks and water equipment. Highly recommend and would return again.

My friend and I stayed at the Secret Beach Cabanas and had a fantastic stay there. The rooms were clean and comfortable. The breakfast was delicious. And the beautiful beaches were right infront of the cabanas. We rented a golf cart to get to town, which takes about 35- 40 minutes. The hosts were so kind, helpful and hospitable and helped us book a snorkeling tour, rent the golf cart, and gave us suggestions on restaurants. We also went to the Iguana sanctuary in town where you can feed and pet iguanas. We would definitely stay at the cabanas again!

I had a great 9 night stay at the cabanas. Athena and Tristin were amazing hosts!!! The location is perfect, breakfast was delicious, and the property is well taken care of. Athena gave thoughtful recommendations and taught me a lot about Belizean culture. I truly left feeling like family. It is clear that Athena loves to help her guests in anyway possible and wants to give them the best time possible in Belize. I recommend Secret Beach Cabanas to anyone staying on Ambergris Caye!

Very courteous and accommodating! Rooms are very nice. We stayed a whole week here and don't want to leave. The Cabanas bar also has great food and very kind operators. Always felt safe and well taken care of. Highly recommend staying at Secret Beach Cabanas.

We only stayed one night but it was a great experience. The room was clean and well kept. While there is no air conditioning, we were aware so it was not a surprise (you may want to consider this if traveling during the dry summer months). It is close to the popular bars that have the in-water seating and service so you can hit those places up during the day and head back here for little more laidback setting. The breakfast was both unexpected and quite honestly amazing…eggs, toast, breakfast meat, and fruit. Very hearty. Just be prepared that most places at Secret Beach close early (6-7pm) so you either need to make good friends with a bartender to make it worth their while to stay open for you, or you have some food/drinks that you brought.

We had a great stay at the Cabanas. Very welcoming, friendly and cozy. The cabana had a breezy and beautiful ocean view. They provided a great breakfast in the mornings. Be sure to head downstairs under the yellow cabana to the Boozy Octo and meet Carlos. He has some of the best food and drinks on the island and is awesome! Thanks for the great stay 🤙

This was one of the best experiences of my life. The whole xcalak city is the end of the world with no people. No ATM, no gas stations, no party, just chill. We came directly to xtc and we were warmly welcomed and accomodated in the room with the view on the beach. Breakfast included. We did a snorcheling tour which was a beautiful experience from the beggining to the end. With nice snack and beautiful real sea world only with other couple which is the beautiful change after all touristy tours. We are going back for scuba diving for sure. This place is what i call heaven on earth 🙏❤️

Hi, we booked with XTC to take a 3 hour snorkelling trip in Xcalak with our kids. It was fantastic, a really professional outfit. The captain of the ship was amazing and joined us for our final snorkel which was breath taking. We loved the boat trip through the mangroves and managed to spot a couple of manatees, rays and tarpons. No shade on the boat so remember sunblock and rash vests. Highly recommended. We’ll be back to do some diving!

I really enjoyed my dives with XTC! I got to see manatees, nurse sharks, mantas, and all manner of lovely fish. My only reason for docking a star is the weather in April was testy for diving and I would recommend to any considering Xcalak to travel outside of this month. The food at the cantina was simple and slightly overpriced, but the diving was very good and professional.

This place is extraordinary. First off, the location itself is a dream. You're staying on a beach that is so beautiful it looks fake, with nobody else around, that has perfect weather, and is a stone's throw from mesmerizing reefs and incredibly rich marine life. And the staff and accommodations at XTC and Casa Paraiso are equally amazing. Everyone is incredibly kind, and deeply experienced both regarding scuba generally and the particular region (and dive sites) itself. This is the type of place you go where you end up thinking "I can't believe more people don't know about this place... and I sorta hope it remains a secret except that XTC deserves every bit of praise and notoriety given what they've built"

Xcalak is a tiny fishing village at the southern tip of Mexico, right before you run into Belize. XTC is the oasis you'll want to visit there. I did some dive training here and was really impressed by their professionalism. This is not a PDC/Cozumel cattle herding outfit. They want you to learn safely, but they really want you to have fun in the process. I can't say enough good things about Ernesto, Auden and their instruction program. If you want to get certified, you should make the drive here (about 3.5 hours from PDC and a little over 4 from Cancun). XTC does a lot of professional training for dive masters, so you’ll most likely be diving with several younger trainees who are learning to become dive instructors. They’re a fun group and there’s nothing better than doing your check out dives surrounded by a bunch of pros. I never felt the least bit rushed or unsafe, and every time I looked around, there was a dive master close by to help if I needed it (and I did a couple of times!). XTC also has a nice little restaurant/bar that serves up some good food and has a decent selection of beer. Plenty of liquor too, should you want a fruity drink or something served neat with your cigar. Great ocean views from the bar/balcony/2nd floor, especially for sunset (and sunrise, if you want breakfast). You’ll make a lot of new friends here, as people from all over the globe seem to be constantly dropping by. I plan to return soon for my rescue diver certification and will probably stay in one of their hotel rooms, which are next door to the dive shop and look pretty comfortable. There’s also a nice little pool behind the hotel, a great place to cool off in the afternoon. Be sure to bring some insect repellant with DEET, as the mosquitos can get annoying when the breeze off the ocean dies down. Other than that, all you really need is your wallet. XTC and the little stores in town (Gallo’s is the closest and has the best selection) can provide pretty much anything else you might require. Oh, bring some dog treats if you can. XTC is very pet friendly and there's usually 3-4 happy (and hungry) dogs running around here at any given time. Make some new dog friends for life!

I had a real blast diving with XTC! I got awesome crocodile close ups, super friendly nurse sharks and amazing corals at Banco Chinchorro, and almost mystical encounters with manatees, huge schools of tarpons and beautiful swim throughs at Xcalak. Dive guides Ernesto and Auden were totally awesome and at the very top of their game! The guest house at Xcalak was comfortable and clean, and restaurant had really yummy food (although some patience may be required!). The dive centre also came with a trio of extremely well behaved dogs, who all enjoyed being fussed over. Banco Chinchorro was a lot more basic at a fisherman's hut, but it was what we were told to expect, and the crew made sure we had a lot of fun! Definitely the best ocean diving in the Yucatan peninsula!

Excellent operation. One of the best I've seen. Great friendly staff/DMs. The instructor whose name I can't remember, she seemed excellent. Good gear. Great spot to stay if you're lucky enough. There isn't much else in town though if you're a non-diver/snorkeller.

What a wonderful day!! After leaving our cruise ship we met the Maya Chan group with ease and perfect directions. We boarded a van and headed to the beach club. To say the ride is bumpy would be an understatement. But as they say, getting there is half the fun!! Maya Chan did not disappoint. The place is beautiful. Lots of special details go into making your visit one to remember. The areas for lounging and exploring are so peaceful. My 60 year old ass even climbed to the top of the treehouse with a drink in my hand. The beach club staff members are all amazing and super friendly.. and Ana, the chef, oh my!!! … INCREDIBLE. The food was soooo good! The massage team is also wonderful so don’t miss out of a pleasant beat down!! 😀 This is a less-crowded, WAY off the beaten path, alternative to other beach clubs and resorts on the island. You’ll love it!!!

The best excursion of our whole trip. My wife and I chose Maya Chan because it was recommended by experienced cruisers and it was cheaper than any “Carnival Excursion” and we wanted to be away from all the crowds. From the beginning we were told exactly what the expectations should be, about the water. seaweed The fact that I grew up going to Galveston,TX the seaweed was nothing to us. We were told that the ride was gonna be bumpy but it only added to the good time we were having. We were setup with our own private area on the beach. The entire staff was amazing and the service impeccable. Drinks were great with the perfect amount of alcohol. The food was all freshly prepared and cooked to perfection. We opted for the massage on the beach. Magic hands. Highly recommend. We had an option for tequila tasting but opted out after all the drinks we already had. We do however try the house tequila and it was better than any high dollar tequilas I have ever had. This is one of those places that you want to keep to yourself but also want everyone to know just how amazing it is. Part of our group has been going to Maya Chan for the past 10 years and I understand why. Anytime we are in Costa Maya we will be going to Maya Chan. Thank you to everyone at Maya Chan for such a wonderful and memorable time.

What an absolutely beautiful place. Booking was so easy. I had some issues with my travel party, and the owner was so nice and understanding about getting my party size changed. Getting to Maya Chan was so very easy. They have the cabs waiting for you when you arrive. Once you arrive to Maya Chan the staff is so nice, explaining everything to you and getting you to your dedicated area for the day. The food was absolutely delicious, and the drinks were strong and tasted good. This is a must do if you want a nice quiet relaxing day in Costa Maya. This will be our home for the day every time we return to Costa Maya.

I received recommendations from other cruisers to go to Maya Chan. I came here to get away from the constant vendors at other beaches in Costa Maya. I was able to do that but keep in mind the following if you ever come here. Transportation: The ride to the beach was long and very bumpy due to the potholes in the sandy thoroughfare. The taxi ride was included in the price of admission. The ride took about 35-40 minutes and 15 minutes of that was bumping up and down on the bus. Water: (Disclaimer) the staff did warn us at every juncture including the booking email that the water was not clear due to seaweed. They even showed us a video before we took the taxi to the beach. That being said, the water was even browner and murkier than it looked in the video. Lots of people still enjoyed water activities but I would not get in personally. Food/Drinks: The taco buffet was delicious and the mixed drinks were slightly weak but plentiful. Crew: Staff was top notch. Everyone was so friendly and attentive. Pets: Also please note there are LOTS of dogs on the beach as well. It was an experience but I doubt I will return just due to the water and the long, rough drive. I don’t think what you get is worth the trouble to get there or the $89 fee.

We booked for a family of four. When we got to the meeting point, we were given information that the beach is overwhelmed by seaweed and given a choice to cancel. But we went ahead anyway, and it ended up being one of the best experiences we had. The staff tried their best to accommodate the guests by asking if we needed anything when we were low on drinks and snacks, we also had tequila tasting and tortillas making. The lunch was really good, and served buffet style. I do recommend coming here when it is during the rainy seasons.

Maya Chan provided such an incredible experience for the day we visited Costa Maya on our cruise. Despite the long ride and not ideal waters, the staff did an incredible job to provide activities and sports options. Luis was a great host for all of the competitions and games. We made tortillas and did a tequila tasting that was super informative and entertaining. Julie, Perla, Ethan, Andy and all other staff were so friendly and attentive. I could not have asked for a better experience. Thank you all!!!!

This place was highly recommended and I see why. Fantastic service, good food and drinks. Enjoyed watching them make fresh guacamole and tortillas. Loved having our own cabana with chairs and a bad. Water and beach has a lot of sargassum, but I expected that and they gave us the opportunity to cancel before the drive. Transportation there was slow and bumpy (a little over 4 miles, but takes ~25 minutes). The staff is fantastic!

The beach is great, lots of area to hang out and the water is nice and calm. There are vendors that come around every 5 minutes trying to get you to buy something (as expected). It’s only a $4 ride from the port.

Very busy when a cruise ship lands here. The prices for food and drinks are pretty high, specially compared to other locations in Mexico. The beach is beautiful (except for the seaweed season) and there are a lot of shops and bars. If you have the option to go elsewhere I would consider it.

Was worth the $10 per person to get away from the port. Was not harassed as bad as other places we visited. Lots of vendors coming up trying to sell items but were not rude.

Walked here from the cruise ship terminal, peaceful 30-40 minute walk through mostly residential areas. Beach was nice, but the water was super shallow. Lots of pushy shops to go browse. If you think things are cheap in Mexico, you’re wrong. Taxi from cruise terminal is $4 a person, which is ridiculous for a short ride like that.

Our excursion was cancelled due to mass seaweed, so a man offered to take us there by taxi with promise of no seaweed and showed us a fake photo. It was netted from seaweed when we got there and we had no breathing room to talk due to nonstop vendors approaching us. It was overwhelming until more ppl showed up from the cruise ship then it eased up. I couldn’t stand it till towards the end. Thanks to my beta-blocker med lol… I respected the vendor hustle but it was ruthless saying no to them every minute. But good spot if you have no other options

Loved cruise port! Free pool with swim up bar. Easy free beach access. The air walk aviary was awesome. Was only $15 per adult to do. The Mayan air acrobats were very cool as well.

Mahahual Beach was amazing. The water was crystal clear and so clean. The beach was well maintained with lots of seating. Our excursion offered us an open bar and clean restrooms maintained by the employees. Make sure to bring cash with you as there are a ton of local street vendors with lots of yummy fruit and street tacos and corn cups. Bartering is a big thing with the vendors so be aware.

It good port. We like it. We like the beach, drink are 15.oo and up dollars and food is are pricey. Massage was great 30 min for 40 dollars. There aggressive vendor on the beach Just be careful that people take advantage. We book a last minute golf cart just make sure that book advance with cruise or near by port . We did last minute golf cart with mahahual with 3 party company after the Port area left side. They are cheap 80 dollars full day but we broke down in main strip. And a vendor by the last exit by Port. He charge extra for no reason. I bought a sun shirt and big vanilla bottle. He charge 113.26 goes by merpago...even the people took little bit advantage on us we still had pretty good time. It Mexico..

Beautiful port and very colorful. Like most ports, stuff can get pricey. The shop workers weren’t overly aggressive about trying to make sales during our experience so I appreciated that. We didn’t eat food at this port but there was fun music and it looked like a large swimming area. Very nice people!

We had a wonderful day in Costa Maya. We walked thru shopping maze and grabbed a taxi to town. We had them take us to The Krazy Lobster. Great day of swimming, floating, eating, drinking and massages. We always end our time here with pleasant walk toward lighthouse before grabbing a taxi back to Port. Taxis are $5 per person. Massages are $20 to $25.

This cruise port was so much more than I expected. The sales people are pretty pushy though, just walk by and say no thank you. The power was out when we got there which made it so much warmer because no ac or fans anywhere. Tons of photo apps just within the port. Flamingos in the port. Also, an amazing beach pool area. Its a pool with a beach entry with sand and lounge chairs also, a swim up bar! No charge! There is an additional one in the port too. A little smaller and quite with a kiddie area. This port was phenomenal and we cant wait to go again!

The port was decent, but super crowded. It's July so I get it, but there were 3 cruise ships there all at once so it was inundated with people! There are several shops, 2 pools, and a few places to eat and grab drinks if you didn't eat before leaving the boat. We didn't stay long (it was pretty hot), but it might be great to visit in the off season.

We came through this cruise port on the Majestic Princess on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. It was very pretty here. The people in Costa Maya (Mahahual) were very nice and overall we had a great day walking around Mahahual and shopping and eating and we also did an excursion. It was my first cruise port ever, so it will always be special for me. (Written 11-12-25)

I give 3 stars because in order to occupy the chairs at the pool area, you're expected to purchase a drink per chair you want to occupy. It was 5 of us, and 3 of us purchased drinks, so we were able to sit in 3 chairs. The drinks were $20.00 each. It was a really big drink, though. I just didn't think that was fair, I saw a lady and her children leave because she didn't drink and didn't want a mocktail. Other than that, there are a nice amount of shops there and some food also.

Truly beautiful, so much to see and do. We only spent a few hours there and it was not nearly enough time to see everything.

The fort has a scenic position overlooking the Bacalar Lagoon and the Pirates Passage. The small bilingual museum inside is extremely informative. We spent about an hour and enjoyed learning the history of the area.

Fuerte de San Felipe is a wonderful place to visit, to understand how Bacalar came to be, and what it took to keep it. Well laid out grounds, with story boards along the way, providing the needed historical information to provide you with an in depth look back in time. There a great view of Laguna Bacalar from the east side of the fort. Its a must visit, if you are in Bacalar, as it is time well spent. You'll need a little over an hour for a vist, much less if you arent really interested in history.

Easy access, great views, good parking, vendors selling all kinds of items, iguanas putting on a show, cannons

Lovely historical site. The museum has the history in both English and Spanish. It was very interesting. There is no shade at the fort or air conditioning in the museum, bring water to stay hydrated.

Cute little Fort in Bacalar Mexico. This Fort was here to protect the priceless wood from the pirates. That backstory alone makes this Fort with visiting. There's also a nice little park where they have entertainment and shopping behind it. Bring pesos and pay at the gate.

Interesting history of bacalar. We love Bacalar...tranquil

This 7 colour lagoon is amazing. Much nicer than ocean. Cristal clear, warm water. Every shade of blue you can imagine. Mangrove alley. Possibility to swim, take a boat tour, take a cajac. Place to make plans for some 2 to 3 days of true bliss

We drove from Playa del Carmen to Bacalar Lagoon. The road was safe and we left Playa at sunrise, we arrived with enough time to make a great day trip. I wish we would have stayed longer. The water was amazing, the local places look lovely too.

There is no single word to describe this place!! Its the serenity you won’t find anywhere else, its the literally crystal clear water, its the delicious authentic Mexican food, and the extremely nice people. We were very lucky to see the lagoon’s 50 shades of blue. While we were on a sailing boat trip, we witnessed the crazy rain that came out of nowhere and added to the the magic and beauty if this lake, and it was such a fantastic experience!! So even if the forecast is saying it will rain cats and dogs there, just never cancel your boat trip, believe me you won’t regret it and it wont rain more than half an hour.If you’re visiting the Quintana Roo area, don’t hesitate to visit Bacalar Lagoon, its easily reachable from Tulum ( 2 hours by car)

My 3rd third time in this area . it's been a very pleasant experience overall. Truly recomend. Just make sure you stay for couple days . It's and easier commute if you stop first in tulum Instead of driving directly from Cancun ...

I came here on a cruise ship excursion from Costa Maya. While the hour and half ride from Mahahual (where the port is) is a bit long and very bumpy, the Bacalar Lagoon was well worth it. The water is beautiful & a perfect temperature. It was not crowded at all. We saw no motor boats, it is a very pristine place. I cannot recommend it enough.

Best shore excursion ever. But it was not as good as I thought. In my case cloudy and shower so it’s depend on weather. I think awesome place when sunny day. Ps. Thanks Sofia our tour guide for amazing experience and wonderful time.

Lake is beautiful. Boat tour was ok. I didn't have great time in Bacalar though. Entire beach privately owned, I felt terrible for local people, not only buildings blocking views/breeze water, it's just seem so unfair and sad. So if you want to have decent time you either have to pay expensive beachfront hotel/apartments or pay for private beach club day ( with terrible food and overpriced drinks. Public beaches sometimes overcrowded and don't have much shade. I personally didn't have good time also because locals complained that I have service dog with me. So security have to come and check my papers every time, then settle it with locals. The whole thing felt uncomfortable, so I had to pay for beach clubs. Also it was mistake to come in August. It's extremely hot. I mean it's more hot than Singapore. Most restaurants and stores also have no AC. Again blocked beaches making it feels worse. Plus children that walking around entire day and begging tourists buy souvenirs - heartbreaking. Immediately I remembered similar tough childhood. This is my personal experience at lake Bacalar.

I liked, but didn't love this place. For some reason (I don't know why) I thought the ruins/pyramids would be taller, more impressive. But it is a nice place to get some history. Just keep in mind that you can't get anything to eat or drink inside the park, and if you take anything in, you have to hold onto the bottle/container until you come back out. There are no trash cans inside. Also, if you have mobility problems, there are no paved walkways, so it can be a challenge.

We visited the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Our tour guide was really great and went into thorough detail describing their life and the village that once stood there. We got to walk around and climb a little bit and overall I really enjoyed Chacchoben and I have zero complaints about my experience. (Written 11-12-25)

Great shore excursion to see very old ruins. The area is well kept and clean. The bus ride and tour was informative. The only disappointment was that you were not given much time to grab a snack. We quickly ate a snack which was okay. The tamales we the best I have ever had.

Very cool historical site to check out not too far outside Costa Maya. Check out some Mayan ruins, see some monkeys, and some of the local jungle. Make sure to get here before the cruise ship tours for the best experience. Low crowds = plenty of uninterrupted pictures opportunities!

This was my second Mayan ruins visit and I was blown away. I've always wanted to venture into a rainforest environment and this was it! In this tour, you get to wander thru a lush rainforest environment surrounded by the noises of monkeys, so cool, and I even got a picture of one. This site is spread out more than Altun Hu and the monuments might have been bigger. This site has an altar where they performed human sacrifice and many large, well preserved monuments. They have a fantastic gift shop and fabulous tamales!

The place is rather small if you’re used to much bigger ruins like Itzá, Tulum, Uxmal and such. The entrance fee is relative cheap. If you paid for a tour or some sort of bus ticket, you my friend overpaid and failed to do your research. Educate yourself before ranting about your expenses and think that the place has anything to do with not meeting your expectations. It’s in the middle of the jungle; it will be hot and humid. Get over it or don’t visit. Yes, it may be raining and there will be mosquitoes too. So prepare yourself and stop whining. How you experience the place is up to you. The only cons about the place are two: There are no restaurants in the place, only snacks that you can buy. Be prepared to overlay a ridiculous amount of money if you want to buy souvenirs in the shops there. They overcharge tourists for artifacts. If it is within your means, wait till to go to a bigger ruin site where you can get better prices. Don’t buy these terms in Playa either; they will also be freaking expensive.

Great if you are on way to or staying at Bacalar.. we had had great guide eze , from the shop. Really informative,not just about ruins and how built but more about Mayan culture both then and now . Leant more in 2hours than anything you could find in a book or phone . BEWARE we were only 3cars in car park and so had place to self with a good beer and ice cream with eze at the end . However he mentioned day before a cruise ship had docked and 50 coaches were there . With checking if cruise liner has docked if so will be heaving otherwise serene

This reserve is so big; we really enjoyed the trip; warching the birds; first time saw spoonbills; they are so beautiful. We could also see the ruins. The best part is floating in the very cool and clear water of the Mayan canal. Luckily we could spot the manatee, but very fast so not very clearly

Truly a once in a lifetime experience!! NOTE no sunscreen, no phone, no plastics allowed! 1,000 pesos plus 100 to park but what an incredible location! Look for Cruz, he is the best guide and enjoy!

Absolutely incredible—truly the gate to heaven as its name suggests. Part of me doesn’t want to share this place for fear that tourism will damage its pristine beauty, but for those doing the research and reading this: go. I can’t recommend it enough. The water is crystal clear— even clearer than some rivers in Switzerland. Floating through the channels (more like gently drifting, lazy-river style) was deeply relaxing and surreal. No sunscreen is allowed to protect this fragile ecosystem, which I truly respect. Please—seriously—don’t pee in the water, don’t wear sunscreen, don’t touch the trees, and don’t do anything that could damage the natural environment. That said, going with the right guide is essential. My guide explained there are multiple entry points, and the scenery and road conditions vary drastically depending on the route. We had only 3 minutes of bumpy driving and arrived in about 30 minutes—but my guide confirmed (and I’ve seen on YouTube) that the wrong route can mean crawling at 3 km/h for 3 hours, only to end up somewhere polluted with trash and plastic, like some negative reviews mentioned. The route we took had absolutely pristine water but not much wildlife other than birds and fish—no dolphins, manatees, or flamingos—but I’ve heard there are other routes that focus more on wildlife viewing if that’s your priority. Bottom line: do your homework and choose your guide and route wisely—it makes all the difference.

An incredible place to experience nature in its purest form. The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is full of diverse wildlife, pristine lagoons, and untouched beaches. A boat tour through the mangroves is highly recommended — you can often spot dolphins, turtles, and different bird species along the way. The water is crystal clear, and the scenery is breathtaking. It’s best to visit with a guided tour to fully appreciate the area’s ecological and cultural importance. A must-visit for nature lovers and photographers.

just incredible. a memorable experience that will stay with me throughout my life. i am so grateful for our wise, warm guide Manuel and for Omar who drove our boat and was so attuned to the surroundings. they had a great harmony that made this tour particularly special. sian ka’an community is doing such amazing work to honour and appreciate the rich diversity of nature and her magic here and i am in deep reverence to everyone who made this experience possible. the best meals i had in tulum were here in the lodge prepared lovingly by the chef and his team, locally sourced, traditional and delightful. floating down the canal is pure peace. tranquility and wildlife abounds, this is a place of wonder. a true gift, thank you everyone ! 💚 a note to all visitors: please honour wearing natural sunscreen and mosquito repellent here to take care and preserve the delicate ecosystems.

Beautiful place to do a boat tour of the lagoons and see manatees, crocodiles and different birds. Gorgeous views.

If coming from Tulum on 15, it's not worth it!! 215 mxn pesos per person at the entrance (Arco Maya on the map). The only public beach access we could find is 4 km in and quite literally covered in trash, it's super sad to see. I wouldn't swim in it. The rest of the beach is fenced off, private property, which makes no sense on a nature reserve - but that's Tulum for you :/ For at least 14 km it's all jungle (pretty!) with no ocean or lagoon views until you get to a bridge with an awesome lagoon view, but it's only interesting for a few minutes and not worth the long drive on a dirt road. Unfortunately there are no trails or ways to really access the lagoon. I'm sure it's amazing with a tour but not if you're just driving in. Super disappointed at how this reserve has been privatized, trashed, and made inaccessible even for paying visitors.

70 pesos per person to enter. Plus 50 pesos for drones or (professional) camera equipment. Plus 50 pesos to walk the wooden path from the ruins to the lagoon. Well worth the entry fee and a few hours exploring. We did see a snake whilst walking along the path, can you spot it in my photo? The park has written signs in three languages so you don’t need a tour guide, although they do work the area. Parking is free at the entrance and there is a refreshment place and souvenirs across the road.

Fantastic ruins and a park that’s small enough to get through in the couple hours with the boat tour. Bring bug spray. The lagoon boat tour was wonderful as you have the opportunity to “swim” in the natural canal. It’s “swimming” because the current is so strong it feels like a lazy river! Enjoyed the whole experience a lot.

Definitely add on the boat tour. It was 1,000 pesos when you buy it from the park. It's so worth it to see that part. There is another smaller ruin they take you to, and the view of the biosphere is amazing. You get to float a section of it, which is refreshing after you walk the ruins and the path through the park. They don't allow sunscreen or big repelant if you are going on the boat tour. There are definitely mosquitoes during the walk through the trail.

Zona Arqueologica de Muyil is very close to Tulum. The entrance fee is very cheap. Its a very nice park to walk, lots to discover. Most of the area is in a nice shadow of trees so it is not too hot. You can choose to only see the part with the remains of the old buildings or you can choose to also go to the lagoon. I recommend to choose both, since it is a very nice walk that will take you by the remains and through the kind of jungle area full of trees.

I drove and used google maps to get to the office. Talked to one of the guys inside the booth to purchase the ticket and also the boat ride to the lagoons. Ticket price is 70 mx for the ruins and additional 50 if you proceeded to take the pathway at the back of the ruin. If you’re not going to take the boat ride, I suggest to only purchase the ticket for the ruins. There’s not much to do aside from the sketchy tower that you can climb when you’re close to the dock where they take you to the lagoon if you purchase the boat ride. The best is if you take the boat ride. It’s 1000 mx per person. They’ll take you to the 2 lagoons then lastly to the shallow canal where they let you float around for almost an hour.

Cool little historical spot to check out for a couple hours. Not a hugely popular spot so you'll have a relatively private time. There are a few different ruins, some nice wooded trails with great trail maintenance. Then there is also a lagoon you can walk to using a wood plank path that's about 1km long. Fun little day trip with multiple street taco spots nearby.

Cost for Ruins = 75 MXN per person. Cost for Bridge and Walk to Lagoon (chance to see wildlife) = 50 MXN per person. Cost for Lagoon Exploration Ride = 1000 MXN per person. (1 hr, swim in lagoon). We only did the first two. Would recommend the first, but not the second, unless you intend on the lagoon excursion. If not, save your pesos, the walk is too long for little ROI. We met a father/daughter who said the Lagoon excursion was worth it.

I recently visited this beach and had a mixed experience. The scenery is beautiful, with swaying palm trees and soft white sand, perfect for a relaxing day by the ocean. The beach was spacious, allowing for plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the sun. However, I did notice some seaweed along the shore, which detracted from the overall aesthetics. While it’s a natural occurrence, it would be great if the beach staff could clean it up more regularly to maintain its pristine look. The amenities were decent, with plenty of lounge chairs available. However, it felt a bit crowded at times, especially closer to the beach bars. Overall, it's a lovely spot to unwind, but a bit of maintenance could enhance the experience significantly. Worth a visit if you're in the area!

A beautiful beach with an amazing view. Try to get up early and watch the whales swimming and the sun rising. Absolutely lovely place. Can't wait to go back there next year. Suitable for couples, families,larger groups. Just an amazing place.

We didn't enjoy Tulum. It's like the movie your best friend overhyped and then it's a total disappointment. You have to pay an entrance fee to get in to Paraide beach, pay to park, pay to actually use the beach, pay for chairs/umbrella and pay again for a towel and THEN you can pay for your drinks and food. We went when the seaweed was out of control so it didn't help that we couldn't even enjoy what we paid through the nose for. It's the same issue at all of the beaches and I gave a 3 because it's the best of the ridiculous beach accessibility choices.

Beautiful beach that you can see from the Tulum archeological site. It was an amazing blue ocean and white sand!

There is so much sargassum here that the sea has turned brown. Also you have to pay an entrance fee to access. Would not recommend.

Definitely our favorite beach in Tulum! The sand is amazingly soft and white, sea is warm and calm, with no fishes around. The beach is in natural reserve (so in the protected area, as other Tulum beaches) so you can’t bring any plastic here (plastic bottled water or other potential garbage) - which is great, because this way they can maintain the beach clean, nice and preserve it for future generations! We have travel a lot but haven’t seen a beach this clean! And of course, you can find here the famous leaning palm tree 🌴

No idea what time portal other visitors traveled through to get to the beach they rave about, but this entire stretch of coast was a disappointment. First off, this entire area is part of a National Park. The fee to enter the one road leading to it is 50 MXN. Then when you choose an area to park, you must pay. It is not free. About 250 MXN. These prices would be worth it for any good beach, but my visit in late May was a bummer. Not the fault of service nor of the locals, but I walked from Playa Paraiso up to Playa Santa Fe and sargassum was washed up along the entire shore. The sand away from the water was beautiful; fine white powder. But the water was not even that stunning, and also contains even more sargassum. Makes me wonder where all those other photos came from. I don't need to visit again.

Tulum was an amazing place to visit and see the ruins. The history here from the Mayans over 1200 years ago. Learning more about the specifics and civilization was incredible. Our guide was amazing, very informative, and kind. This was a must see place for me visiting Cancun.

Number 1 must visit attraction in Tulum. The area is well maintained. Lots of iguanas. The access was quite affordable as for such huge complex. Amazing paradise beaches which are unfortunately closed for the public. I would rather recommend to come with the guide if u want not just nice photos but also to know more details about this ancient site.

We made our own way there via uber and got a tour guide at the ruins.. he was good. The ruins were good but definitely not something I would go back to see again.

Tulum is a great place to visit Mayan ruins. It is a moderate walk, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes. I would recommend a guide so that you can learn not only the history of the ruins, but the history as known about the Mayan's themselves.

It was such a great experience. Our tour guide Victor was super knowledgeable. 11/10. Must see if you go. Shout out to Nipsey for the recommendation to see the Tulum ruins 🏁🛖💙

It's really well organised and there are also small golf carts to take you from the entrance to the site. Be aware of the parking!! Google Maps took us at a private parking which was completely full while the official one was empty! Check first with the satellite view and go where the big parking is.

Tulum was my first time there, and it was beautiful. The scenery was stunning, and it wasn’t too crowded, which was a relief. I also enjoyed learning about the history of the place.

Swimming with the turtles was more fun for adults and scared the little patooties around. The place is magical like you entered a different dimension! The entrance fee was very affordable too! We drove 2 hours from Cancun to Tulum and also paid a visit to this most talked-about Cenote.

At 500 pesos, very overpriced for what it is. We spend about 2 hours here, snorkeling, laying on the grass and taking some pictures. Beware that if you want to use their snorkeling equipment, you will need to leave your ID with them or a very big deposit. You can reach this place by bike from Tulum, the road is not that bad.

Its called “Salva Maya” as well. Best place to visit while you are in mexico around cozumel or cancun. You have to stop by and take a dive. Great sinkhole which has secure stairs, they give you life jacket with little 1 USD fees and they have few shops for shopping. We were on the way to Chichen itza and our tour bus stopped by for couple of hours for this Sinkhole with our tourist group. must stop at this place. They have little fees for an entry under 15 USD.

Really cool place, definitely recommend to go there. Entry cost 180 pesos, well worth the money. You can find turtles and "pedicure fish", it was quite busy when we got there by still really enjoyable. Bring your snorkelling stuff or you can rent them anyway there. Definitely do it:)

Very, very beautiful!!! Totally worth it. A bit pricey though, but a life jacket and snorkel kit is included. Bring an ID to secure the snorkel

MXN 500,- per person, MXN 250,- per child. MUST wear swimwest & shower (incl. hair) before swimming in the cenote. you can see turtles there. feel sorry for them bc of the overtourism which infects their habitat :-/ the ppl, who work there are very unfriendly and not helpful.

Entrance fee 180 pesos. Worth it! Recommend take your own or rent(80 pesos +id card) snorkeling equipment, because all beauty are under water ! If you can't swim there is a life jacket rental (about 60 pesos + id). You can rest there on grass or sit in buffet. Recommend ! There is a lot of turtles and fish.

This is a cool spot, a cenote that is completely covered underground. you descend into the cenote by a spiral staircase, and there are jumping pointds at about 5 and 8 meters up the stairs. the colour of the water is a lovely bright blue, and it was lit by a floodlight. nice setting.

Super cool ambiance with crystal clear water jumping platforms and bads in the air.

Fantastic cenote. We went before the tours from Coba arrived, at around 12 o’clock, and we were the only people there! There is a 5m and 10m diving board if anyone is feeling brave enough!

Nice cenote with really deep water. It's almost uncomfortable to swim above the depth sometimes, even though you can still almost see the bottom - or maybe that's why :) It's one of the bigger ones, so it's very easy to swim in. What's unique about it are the two jumping platforms from which you can dive into the water. However, being wimps, we didn't jump in. There are very few people in it, we were alone most of the time, so you can fully enjoy the majesty of the cave. Entrance was still 100 pesos and vests were optional.

Stunning. Bats, fish, 5m jumping board. Wow Arrived at 9am only people in it, amazing experience.

I was genuinely scared because this place feels very spooky but after 30 min or so, I started loving it. Super calm and quiet Cenote, we were mostly alone (1 other couples) however when tour bus arrives , it gets super crowded. Shower and toilet in place but no lockers. The entrance is 100 MXP and if you want life jackets that is 50 pesos extra.

Fantastic experience! Spiral staircase to descend is a little dated, but sturdy. The view and water is stunning. The water is extremely clear. Was told the depth of the cenote is about 45 feet. Very much worth the stop. They have bathroom changing areas as well, and life jackets to rent.

Not well maintained, the bicycles were nice. Infrastructure needs work. Take your own water, bug sray, and a towel. It is hot and pure jungle, of course. Entry was $150 pesos. Guide offered for 1000 pesos. We declined.

This place is full of ancient ruins, when you reach the place park your car to the closest park to the gate, it is the cheapest one. You will need about 2 hours to finish the tour. You can higher one of the guides there to have some fun learning about the Mayans. The views are beautiful on the ocean. You will find a lot of iguanas and some colored lizards 🦎. I personally liked the decending God illustration, the feet towards heaven and the head on the ground. A bird like a peacock 🦚 followed us for about 5 minutes, it didn't heart but we didn't know why. I included his photo. Don't forget always to take water with you. The people are so peaceful.

This place was amazing and our Mayan guide was very thorough with the history and the facts. We learned a lot from him, he was amazing, and our bicycle taxi person was so respectful when we had to get on and off, being two senior ladies. The weather was perfect, and they have a public bathroom outside of the ruins, so make sure to use it before you enter. They do have two entrance fees one for parking and one for the entrance fee.

This is a must do while in the vicinity. We have been back twice in two years, and every time we become more educated on what life was like an ancient times. If you are lucky enough to have Pedro as your tour guide, you will be enchanted by his storytelling of the Mayan people in life in Coba. Plan to spend a long time so you can sit quietly and peacefully among the place and listen for wildlife. We were lucky enough to see wild turkeys, iguanas, and several varieties of birds. Definitely rent bikes, but make sure they fit you well as they can become uncomfortable quickly as we learned that day.

What an incredible place to visit!! I’m told it’s a less popular spot to view the ruins and I cannot see why. The entry fee is very reasonable and we got a private guide which we also found very reasonable! Pedro was very informative, had great stories, and visuals. He was great with my son as well, keeping him engaged and telling age appropriate versions of the history. We HIGHLY recommend the bikes to see the second part of the site. We had so much fun riding them and I think we saw a lot more with their use. We were all thrilled to see the snack shack near the “Big Hill.” It was a little under construction when we visited in July, and I’m excited to see the improvements they are making!! I wish I could donate money to them so they could rebuild more buildings!! 6000 buildings are scattered throughout the site - but the cost is so high to uncover and maintain. And one of our favorite meals was at the restaurant that sits right outside the gates!! Restaurante Xaibe. Fabulous Sopa de Lima, handmade tortillas, and Mayan style pork!

Great ruins, love the history. It is so nice to go to a heritage site and not be mobed by venders trying to sell over priced items. You muat go to Coba!

This was one of my favorite attractions in the Yucatan area. We got a personal guide and the experience was great. The Coba ruins is HUGE and many parts have not yet been excavated and restored yet. Our guide explained that Coba is like a Mayan highway where people from different areas come to meet and trade. Aside from temples, there are also other structures like gaming areas and many tablets that helped illuminated the Mayan culture, including tablets that mentioned some powerful women rulers as well as the end of the world story.