barton creek cave without tour

Barton Creek Cave – All You Need to Know Before You Go

• April 4, 2023
• by Belize Hub +

Barton Creek Cave – Belize’s Most Beautiful and Unusual Cave Destination

Belize’s cave network is extensive and varied, so whether you’re eager to peek into a world of prehistoric panoramas, want to take in the sights by kayak or canoe, or you’d like to settle into a big inner tube to sail past limestone and granite chambers, Belize is your destination. Barton Creek is a great example of a cave that offers a bit of everything. It remains a working archaeological site, so in addition to rock formations, artifacts and skeletal remains, you may even bump into an anthropologist committed to unearthing more mysteries.

Barton Creek Cave

Because Barton Creek Cave is nearly five miles long, allow plenty of time to investigate the areas that have been opened for tourists. From the comfort of a canoe, you will pass speleothems shaped by time and water over thousands of years. Your primary point of interest will likely be ten ledges researchers have identified as former staging areas for Mayan rituals. Evidence shows the scope of religious practices conducted deep within this cave that include conducting fertility rites, human sacrifices and acting as a burial chamber.

Why you should visit Barton Creek

As a recently-explored Maya cave, this is one of the easiest caves to see because you will take in the sites from the comfort of your canoe. Local guides have been schooled in ancient Mayan history, practices and culture so bring your hardest questions along. Don’t be surprised if the weird stalactites and other eerie cave formations don’t spur geologic questions, too. Besides, it may take a trained eye to point out a nicely-camouflaged skull that’s been in the chamber so many years, it would be easy to miss.

Where is the cave located?

Barton Creek is just a 45-minute drive from San Ignacio. Along the way, you may wish to stop and tour the Mennonite village that has been around for decades in the Upper Barton Creek region. This community has put down deep roots and is a major source of dairy foods in the area, so when you head out to the cave, feel free to wave at the cows as they graze in their fields.

Because Barton Creek Cave is fed by a single stream, paddling into the cave is normally an effortless experience, but in case the area receives an abnormal amount of rain, you may wish to skip coming here between June and October, because on occasion, cave attractions are closed if the water table gets too high. On the other hand, if the amount of rain that falls during a typical green season falls, you should be fine.

Best way to get to Barton Creek Cave

If you’re driving to the cave from San Ignacio (or sister town Santa Elena), stay alert because apparently tourists have a penchant for missing turns and going the wrong way—even on the area’s one-way bridges! Cross the Hawksworth Bridge (it’s the lone suspension bridge in Belize) and follow signs west or catch a bus or shuttle. A guided tour will always be your best option. Book with an experienced local guide and put all of the arrangements into their hands so you don’t have to lift a finger until you pick up your boat paddle.

Best way to experience Barton Creek Cave

The 2009 Xibalba Mapping and Exploration Team opened several kilometers of accessible cave that year but there is still much to be unearthed. Mayan communities made this cave their homes in both the Early Classic (200 to 600 AD) and Late Classic (from 600 AD to 900 AD) periods, so a little homework could make your visit more interesting. Arrange for a picnic during your excursion and a stop at area waterfalls. By the time you leave, you’ll understand why the Mother Nature Network named the Barton Creek Cave one of the nine most beautiful and unusual cave destinations in the world.

Interested in visiting the Barton Creek Cave on your Belize Vacation? Contact us and we will recommend you with the best tour company in Belize to do this tour.

  photo by duarte dellarole, featured belize resort, featured tour company.

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Barton Creek Cave

Barton Creek rises high in the Mountain Pine Ridge and flows north to join the Belize River near Georgeville. Along the way it dips underground for a spell, flowing through the Barton Creek Cave. During the Classic Period, the ancient Maya interred at least 28 people and left thousands of pottery jars and fragments and other artifacts on 10 ledges. Today the cave is only accessible by canoe on excellent guided tours.

Canoe trips take you (in groups of eight or fewer per guide) about 800ft into the cave so you can get a look at the limestone cave formations, as well as the spooky skulls, bones and pottery shards that remain from the Maya. Numerous tours operate out of San Ignacio, or head to Mike's Place just outside the cave entrance, where guides will take you out without prebooking.

Even if you don't tour the cave, you can swim here for free and there's a restaurant and bar at Mike's Place.

There are two routes to the cave, both very rough and both turning off Chiquibul Rd. The main route on Upper Barton Creek Rd passes through the scattered traditional Mennonite farming community of Upper Barton Creek and fords Barton Creek itself, which means this route may be closed in high water. The second route along Seven Mile El Progresso Rd (follow the signs for Mike's Place) involves possibly the steepest road in Belize with a series of tight switchbacks descending into the valley – but no river crossings!

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Infinitum Blog

Barton Creek Cave (Cayo) – All You Need to Know Before You Go

Barton Creek Cave is an enormous subterranean structure located in Belize’s western Cayo District. With a gently flowing creek running through its interior, Barton Creek Cave has an estimated 6.4 kilometers (four miles) of charted passageways and an additional eight kilometers (five miles) that have yet to be mapped.

Although other caves in Belize have their own rivers or creeks flowing through them, only Barton Creek Cave has a gentle stream that makes navigating its enormous, twisting passages easy for visitors in a two-person canoe. Beyond the unique experience of sailing through the inky depths of the cave, Barton Creek Cave offers visitors the chance to see enormous stalactites and beautiful mineral structures that sparkle in the light of a flashlight or head torch.

Guided tours of Barton Creek Cave include viewing some of the sacred objects left behind more than 1,000 years ago by the ancient Maya , including pottery, food offerings, jewelry, ritual objects, and the human remains of more than two dozen people who were sacrificed in a desperate attempt to appease their angry gods. Archeological work is still ongoing inside the cave, slowly revealing important clues to the downfall of the mighty civilization that once ruled from modern Mexico all the way down to El Salvador.

Participants wanting to explore the twisting labyrinth of Barton Creek Cave need to have no fear of tight spaces as some passages have a very low ceiling. And although the only way to explore the cave is by water, Barton Creek Cave is one of the few “wet” caves in the country where visitors do not need to wade through or swim across any passages. As such, the quiet of gently floating through the earth is a transformative experience for most participants.

The entrance to Barton Creek Cave is located in the foothills of the Maya Mountains in Cayo District near the village of Georgeville east of San Ignacio. To get to the cave, follow Caracol Road from the Georgeville exit off of the Western Highway. For visitors arriving in personal vehicles, be aware that it takes about an hour’s drive across a jungle road with very difficult terrain to reach the cave entrance plus a river crossing. In times of inclement weather or following heavy rains, the river crossing may be closed.

The Black Orchid Resort , the premier jungle lodge in the Belize District of the country, organizes tours of Barton Creek Cave.

To enjoy all the best that the country has to offer, book your Belize vacation with Black Orchid Resort today !

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Barton Creek Cave

Barton Creek Cave is one of the most fascinating wet caves in Belize. A tour of Barton Creek Cave involves gently paddling a two-man canoe across the cave’s still water, guided only by headlamps that light up the intricate stalactites and stalagmites that make up the limestone walls. It is one of the few wet caves in Belize where exploring doesn’t require swimming or tubing. Please note that the cave ceiling is quite low in places, and all visitors should be comfortable in dark.

In addition to the adventure element, Barton Creek Cave has historical significance in the Mayan world. Human remains and a substantial number of Mayan artifacts, including pottery and jewelry, have been discovered in the cave. Experienced guides will take you approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) inside the cave. Guides will also explain the history of the cave along the way.

This cave is located off of Chiquibul Road, which you will reach through Georgeville, located just east of San Ignacio on the Western Highway. All visitors are required to take a guide, and tours can be arranged in San Ignacio. For independent travelers with a rental car, equipment and guides are also available at the cave entrance. However, getting to Barton Creek Cave requires traveling approximately one hour on a very bumpy dirt road, as well as a river crossing. After heavy rains, the river crossing should not be attempted in a typical rental car.

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Barton Creek Cave

• Price: $85USD - Includes: Professional Guide, Transportation, Gears, Entrance fees & Taxes.
• Duration: Approx. 4hrs - Full day when combine with a second tour
• Difficulty: Easy
• Departure: 9:00AM or 1:00PM - Pickup from Hotels, Resorts and Airbnbs or other arranged location.
• What to Bring: Swimwear, Towel if you go for a swim.
• Responsible Travel: No single use plastic, Respect the local culture

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Cave canoeing description.

The Barton Creek main area is a microcosm unto itself. Its remote location and Mennonite community combine old world charm with the 60s. Inside this veritable wonderland of cultures lies Barton Creek Cave.

This cave tour is a little different from the others. Since Barton Creek flows through the cave; canoes are the only way to see the Mayan underworld . This also makes this tour the most accessible and least difficult of all the cave tours.

As with all caves in Belize, there are some Mayan remains, but the scenic location, geological formations and canoes really make this tour unique.

San Ignacio Tours

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

Barton Creek Tour Review

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Belize is home to many beautiful, and exciting locations, and we can guide you through any of them. If you don't see a location or combo package that fits what you're looking for, send us a message and we'll work with you to create your dream vacation. Our English-speaking, local guides have a wealth of knowledge about the history of the magnificent archaeological sites

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BARTON CREEK TOURS

Belize barton creek cave tours.

ATM Cave Tour Crystal Cave Tour Cave Tubing Tour Barton Creek Cave Tour

Caracol Maya Site & Rio on Pools & Rio Frio Cave Tour

Guatemala Tikal Maya Site Tour

Lamanai Maya Site

Organic Farm Horseback Riding Tour Xunantunich Horseback Riding Tour

Inland Blue Hole Birdwatching Tour Cahal Pech Birdwatching Tour Belize Zoo & Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary Birding Tour Black Rock and Macal River Area Birding Tour Caves Branch & Blue Hole Birding Tour Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary Birding Tour Laguna Aguacate & Spanish Lookout Area Birding Tour Mountain Pine Ridge and Bald Hills Birding Tour

Mountain Pine Ridge & Rio on Pools & Rio Frio Cave Belize Zoo Tour

Zip Lining Tour

Maya & Mennonite Cultural Village Tour Cacao Farm & Chocolate Making Tour

Barton Creek is a remote cave that, like many of the subterranean caverns of Belize, was used by the ancient Mayan people for ceremonial purposes.  This is a relaxed, but exciting canoe trip inside a mountain on an ancient waterway where you can observe grand cathedral ceilings in the cave, as well as numerous formations and stalactites and stalagmites.

We begin our journey through farmland where you can observe the Mennonite community of Upper Barton Creek and experience their traditional lifestyle. We then reach Barton Creek Cave, much of which is still to be explored and which stretches for 4.5 miles. We canoe in for one mile exploring the amazing history and geology of this massive cave. At the entrance of the cave we board our canoes, switch on our headlights and start to slowly paddle into the cave passage. While floating deeper into the passage we learn about the geology, archaeology, and Mayan history of these caves. Our lights will bring to life sparkling crystal formations that are millions of years old. After exploring the caves, we turn our canoes around and float back to park our canoes and complete our half day tour with a refreshing swim.

Optional Add-ons:

Why end the fun there? Book an additional tour and extend your half-day canoe tour to a fun-filled day exploring Belize that you won’t soon forget. Our reservations team can help you to book an additional adventure that will make this day an Un-Belizable one. Activities recommended include Jungle Ziplinin g, Butterfly Farm visit, or exploring one of the most famous waterfalls in the country, Big Rock Waterf

After the relaxing canoe paddle at Barton Creek, you can opt to pump up the adventure and take a stop at our longest aerial canopy zip-lining tour  Ultimo Explorer  which is more than 2,700 feet. It is comprised of 9 runs and 15 platforms, that take you over and through the jungle. This is a safe and exhilarating way to see the jungle like never before. Since we haven’t figured out a way to grow feathers yet, a trip through the jungle on a zipline is a terrific way to get that fix.

The Butterfly Farm is a wonderful destination for nature lovers and those interested in butterfly conservation. Located near the town of San Ignacio in western Belize, this butterfly farm offers visitors the opportunity to observe various species of butterflies in a natural and educational setting. See at least 20 native species in a large flight area and learn more about the interesting lifecycle of several species of butterflies. Apart from our butterflies, the 250-acre (101-hectare) property is also home to a rich biodiversity of Flora and Fauna such as ardency flowers, bromeliads, heliconias, orchids, hummingbirds, agoutis, margays, jaguars and gibnuts. 

Big Rock Falls is a breathtaking 150-foot waterfall that flows over granite boulders in Privassion Creek. To reach this hidden gem, you’ll need to hike down a long and steep slope deep in the Mountain Pine Ridge. Once you arrive, you’ll be awed by the stunning waterfall that spills into two large and refreshing pools before making its way down the river. This hidden paradise is a must-see for your tour, where you can enjoy the peaceful sounds of splashing water, birds singing, and wind rustling through the trees.

General information

Start time 9:00 AM

Tour Duration 4-5 hours

Amenities: Restrooms at parking lot

Meeting point

MayaWalk Office at #19 Burns Avenue, San Ignacio, Belize

15 minutes before tour departure.

The Tour departs from our headquarters in San Ignacio at 9:00 a.m. We begin our journey through farmland where you can observe the Mennonite community of Upper Barton Creek and learn more about their traditional lifestyle. After a short drive offroad we arrive at the parking lot of the Barton Creek Cave. We have a short break to put on our gear (Life Jackets, Helmets, and Headlamps are mandatory) and use the restroom if needed before heading to our canoe. We board our canoe at the dock, no more than 3 persons per canoe, and led by our tour guide we begin our journey through the entrance of the cave. A few strokes in and you are already in complete darkness. Your guide instructs you to turn on your headlamps and you begin to explore the massive cave system with crystal formations millions of years old. After exploring the caves, we turn our canoes around and float back to the park to complete our half-day tour with a refreshing swim.

Minimal physical exertion, mostly walking on even terrain with little to no obstacles.  Life jackets are required and provided for all participants, who will also be escorted by our highly trained guides.

Minimum Height:

What to bring/wear:.

• Bathing suit
• Sturdy walking shoes
• Bring reusable water bottles

Min. # of Persons:

Start booking now, starting price:.

/per person

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Barton Creek Caves

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Barton Creek Cave is a natural cave in Belize, known as both an archaeological site and as a tourist destination. It is located in the Barton Creek area near San Ignacio in the Cayo District.

Barton Creek Cave is a primarily single-passage resurging stream cave. By 2002 a cave survey had been completed by the Western Belize Regional Cave Project, recording a total of 6,400 m (21,000 ft) of passages; dye traces at sinking streams above the cave indicated that there could be a further 6 km (3.7 mi) of cave passages beyond the terminal sumps. By 2005 the Xibalba Mapping and Exploration Team had extended the survey to 8 km (5.0 mi).

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5426 E Palo Brea Lane,  Cave Creek, AZ 85331

Single Family

William P Lewis

Nicholas W. Naydenov

Williams Luxury Homes

602-920-6297

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September 9, 2024, 05:33 AM

About This Home

Wow! Located on a large 13,000+ sq. ft. lot in Cave Creek's Montevista subdivision, this fully renovated Toll Brothers home has it all. From the BEAUTIFULLY landscaped grounds to the stairwell's STUNNING cascading chandelier, this modern 4,761 sq. ft. property is perfect for those who like to entertain! In addition to 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, & a well-appointed kitchen (featuring upgraded Jenn-Air appliances), the floorplan has an indoor/outdoor vibe. The living room enjoys a modern fireplace and expansive windows. Outside? There is a RESORT BACKYARD complete with multiple shaded structures, an outdoor kitchen, firepit, & a pool/spa! And best of all? This home is located in the gated community of Montevista (which spoils residents with a 5-acre park, basketball court, playground, & more).

Built in 2012

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Hiking Graham Cave State Park

Every spring and fall, I organize camping trips for my kids, their friends, and their friends’ dads. My two daughters have lived their entire lives in subdivisions in major metropolitan areas, and I want to introduce them to adventures that don’t come on screens.

I want them to push through dense woods, to cook meat on a stick over a fire, to disappear for hours and come back soaking wet or filthy or both for no good reason. Most of all, I want them to … hey, where’d they go?

We were on the Indian Glade Trail in Graham Cave State Park for only 100 yards and already they had run far ahead. A 3-year-old girl and her father brought up the rear with me. She slipped on a rock and said, “I keep falling,” and then added—talking to herself but using words I need to hear on occasion—“just get up if you fall.”

The trail turned left, and I looked to my right into a glade. Bursts of white from cottonwood flowers stood out against the rest of the forest, like fireworks against a green sky. The next turn took us near a babbling stream. At the exact second I thought, “that’s my favorite sound to sleep to,” the 3-year-old said, “that sound makes me tired.”

The trail ended in a field that sits at the front of Graham Cave. The entrance to the cave looks like a band shell, 16 feet tall and 120 feet wide. A fence at the mouth prevents humans from entering.

Foxes have found a way in, and at least two, maybe more, played in the back of the cave, their rust-colored fur blending into the walls. Outside the cave, kids scampered to the top of it, and dads barked at them not to fall off. Inside the cave, the foxes barked at each other, too … if bark is the right word. It sounded like the noise a chicken would make if it tried to bark.

Man and beast have congregated like this at this cave for centuries. Remains found in the cave show humans have used it off and on for 10,000 years. Graham Cave, which sits within the state park’s 356 acres, was the country’s first archaeological site designated as a National Historic Landmark.

A circle of rocks makes anthropologists think a council might have met there. It was a kitchen, too, as bones of cooked animals are among the many there.

Later, I ran into a park ranger, who reached into his pocket and pulled out two spearheads and a pottery shard, each of them at least 1,000 years old. Relics like that have been found all over Graham Cave State Park.

I hollered for the kids to come see them. But they were off in the creek, looking for, and finding, their own artifacts. They came back soaking wet and filthy—and for good reason.

Graham Cave State Park is located on Route TT near Danville, just north of Interstate 70 between New Florence and Williamsburg. The park contains 386 acres and 4.4 miles of trails. Campsites are available for reservation or on a first-come, first-serve basis. To learn more, visit MOStateParks.com .

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