Pacz Tours
Pacz Tours
4.6
Historical & Heritage ToursZipline & Aerial Adventure ParksNature & Wildlife ToursKayaking & Canoeing
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Full view
About
Pacz Tours carries out daily tours from San Ignacio Town. Explore known Maya Archaeological sites by touring Actun Tunichil Muknal (Belize ATM Cave Tour), Tikal in Guatemala, and Mayan Ruins: Xunantunich, Caracol, Lamanai and Cahal Pech. Go Cave Tubing or Zip Lining. These and many other things to do in Belize are best done with our Tour Operator Company. Expert English-speaking tour guides with unmatched guiding experiences for an informative and fun day tour. Book via email and pick up where you are staying. Families, Groups, Couples or Solo travellers from the United States, Canada and around the world can book and have a wonderful time in Belize. Visa Master Card, USD accepted. Free cancellation, when cancelling 24hr before the tour.
San Ignacio, Belize
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.6
642 reviews
Excellent
515
Very good
55
Average
28
Poor
21
Terrible
23
Maria F
2 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
We arranged two tours with Pacz and they were both incredible - the first day to Tikal and the second day to the ATM caves.
For both tours, the drivers were on time, everything ran incredibly smoothly, and the guides were knowledgeable, funny, and kind.
In Tikal, we had a driver transfer us to the Guatemalan border, where we crossed easily and met our Guatemalan driver and guide on the other side, who took us to Tikal. Our guide, Regge, was extremely knowledgeable and answered our nonstop questions the entire drive to the site. Once there, he gave us a really helpful overview of the whole site and its history before we began, and he even added on the Lost World section of the park which we weren't expecting to get to see! The site itself was stunning and every part of the day exceeded expectations (including the lunch on the way back!).
The next day, we were picked up by our guide, Oscar, who took us to the ATM caves. Oscar was clearly a veteran guide and described in-depth not only the history of the caves themselves but also the history of how the caves were re-discovered, the process of opening the caves to the public, and how changes had been made over time to keep the cave and its artifacts safe. As one of the original 35 guides allowed to take visitors to the cave, Oscar had been on over 1000 tours, and it showed! We could not have had a better guide, and he improved an already extraordinary experience by making thoughtful changes to increase our enjoyment, like pausing to create distance from a group ahead of us, or turning off our lights at times to appreciate the complete darkness of the cave.
We couldn't be happier with both days and highly recommend Pacz to anyone looking for a reliable tour operator in Belize!
For both tours, the drivers were on time, everything ran incredibly smoothly, and the guides were knowledgeable, funny, and kind.
In Tikal, we had a driver transfer us to the Guatemalan border, where we crossed easily and met our Guatemalan driver and guide on the other side, who took us to Tikal. Our guide, Regge, was extremely knowledgeable and answered our nonstop questions the entire drive to the site. Once there, he gave us a really helpful overview of the whole site and its history before we began, and he even added on the Lost World section of the park which we weren't expecting to get to see! The site itself was stunning and every part of the day exceeded expectations (including the lunch on the way back!).
The next day, we were picked up by our guide, Oscar, who took us to the ATM caves. Oscar was clearly a veteran guide and described in-depth not only the history of the caves themselves but also the history of how the caves were re-discovered, the process of opening the caves to the public, and how changes had been made over time to keep the cave and its artifacts safe. As one of the original 35 guides allowed to take visitors to the cave, Oscar had been on over 1000 tours, and it showed! We could not have had a better guide, and he improved an already extraordinary experience by making thoughtful changes to increase our enjoyment, like pausing to create distance from a group ahead of us, or turning off our lights at times to appreciate the complete darkness of the cave.
We couldn't be happier with both days and highly recommend Pacz to anyone looking for a reliable tour operator in Belize!
Written August 31, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daria T
Madison, WI32 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
Pacz Tours really did a great job for us. We used them for several tours. The Ajaw chocolate tasting was unique, with a demonstration and tasting of the ancient Mayan chocolate drink. The next two days we had Justin as a driver and he was really friendly and very knowledgeable about birds, animals, and the areas we were passing through. He took us to Xunantunich and Cahal Pech, where we had Dino as a really experienced and knowledgeable guide. It was a great experience. The next day Justin took us to ziplining and cave tubing, which was super fun. The ziplining was very professional and safe and the scenery was fantastic! Cave tubing afterwards was very relaxing and lots of fun. We definitely recommend this tour company! I just wish we'd gotten a chance to do ATM cave with them, I'm sure it would be amazing.
Written January 27, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SpeedyGonzalez
Germany42 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
I had an incredible experience with Pacz Tours on their ATM Cave tour. They organized a transfer for me from Belize City and even dropped me off at my new accommodation in San Ignacio at the end of the tour, which was extremely convenient. The tour itself, led by Oscar, was phenomenal. Swimming and climbing through the cave was a unique adventure, and the Maya relics at the end were truly impressive. I highly recommend the ATM tour to anyone looking for a one-of-a-kind experience. It was unforgettable!
The only downside: no photos allowed.
The only downside: no photos allowed.
Written April 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review, Lana. We're delighted you enjoyed your tour with Emilio and Oscar. Your advice on preparing for the tour is appreciated too!
Written April 29, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
historyBuff
2 contributions
Dec 2024 • Family
We used them for a multi-day trip because they are in the books, and they gave us a quote too good to be true. Turns out it wasn't true.
They didn't deliver the things we agreed on (and paid for). They were pushing for deposit but once we put down the deposit they disappeared. Eventually after much prodding they claimed they made a "mistake" in the quote and doubled the price. We were trusting and believed it's a "mistake" so we accepted the new price and paid in full. But they took us to a much cheaper hotel than the one we agreed on where we even paid extra for room upgrade . There were other things in the agreement that didn't happen, including all the meals, etc. The owner promised to refund the differences but never did.
Later I learned from an insider that this company is "not the same" as before, so beware!
They didn't deliver the things we agreed on (and paid for). They were pushing for deposit but once we put down the deposit they disappeared. Eventually after much prodding they claimed they made a "mistake" in the quote and doubled the price. We were trusting and believed it's a "mistake" so we accepted the new price and paid in full. But they took us to a much cheaper hotel than the one we agreed on where we even paid extra for room upgrade . There were other things in the agreement that didn't happen, including all the meals, etc. The owner promised to refund the differences but never did.
Later I learned from an insider that this company is "not the same" as before, so beware!
Written January 20, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your feedback, and we sincerely apologize for any confusion and disappointment caused during your trip with us. We want to address the concerns you raised and provide clarification regarding the situation.
Regarding the Tikal Overnight Tour, we initially provided you with a quote for one night’s stay. When you later requested an additional night, we inadvertently made an error in the total price. Once this error was identified, we communicated the revised price to you, and you kindly agreed to the updated amount. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by this oversight, and we appreciate your understanding at the time.
As for the hotel accommodation, we did our best to ensure a comfortable stay, but we understand that the accommodation did not meet your expectations. The hotel you were booked into was a more affordable option than initially planned, and we apologize if this caused any frustration. The room upgrade was an additional service offered, but we regret that it didn’t fully meet your expectations.
In terms of the meals, we did clarify that meals were included at the Tikal accommodation, but not at other locations. We also explained that lunch was not included in your transfer to Tikal, but it was provided during your transfer back, along with a stop at the zoo as part of the additional services offered.
While we understand your dissatisfaction, we did our best to communicate the details and to make adjustments during your trip. We apologize for any misunderstandings, and we remain committed to delivering transparent and reliable service. We value your feedback, and we’ll use it to improve our services moving forward.
Written March 14, 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tunwei L
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Family
We are party of 5 booked 8/13 Tuesday trip to ATM, payment already paid, and called on 8/12 to reconfirm, and someone answer the phone and reconfirmed. On 8/13 morning when calling to double check for 8:30am pick up, being told that 8/13 is "Wednesday" trip, Tuesday no trip for us. The guy is called Amelio and even asked me to hang up the phone when I was talking to him so he can "start to arrange" driver and tour guy for us. Very unprofessional and unpleasant experience with Pacz Tour company. The tour guy later told us he was being told to pick our family up the last minute when he was with his own customers, and he had to bring extra sets of gears for us. Our tour guy and ATM trip itself went smooth, but we were totally ignored in the beginning and almost missed our trip is not acceptable!
Written August 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tunwei, we're deeply sorry for the confusion and stress this caused. We take your feedback seriously and will address this with our team.
Written August 23, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mmuntner
New York City, NY140 contributions
Jul 2021
Went with Pacz Tours for the ATM Tour. We were picked up from the San Ignacio Hotel. Rates were fair and comparable to the other tour companies (I negotiated a bit, though we were in Belize in the off season July). It was just the two of us and our guide, Oscar. He was professional, knew the cave well, and kept us safe!
This tour is intense, fun, and doable if you are able to climb and swim and also sometimes climb with only socks on. You need water shoes for this, and I don't recommend Keens, because they are terrible shoes, and little pebbles and rocks get under your feet, and the water stays there, and then it's just slopping around as you walk, and is slippery and you will fall. I recommend cheap Amazon hiking water shoes with little holes at the bottom to let the water drain. I also recommend a water shirt.
The cave is exciting. Where else will you see skeletal remains of Mayan sacrifices? Sadly no photos, no cameras, no pictures. So just word of mouth. But in reality, some of the climbing is a bit hairy, and I can't even imagine taking a camera or phone with me. You will fit through tight spaces, water will be up to your neck, you will think you are almost done, but will then do a lot of climbing with only your socks on. You will climb up a ladder deep in the cave.
Bring a change of clothes and a towel.
Lunch is provided and was honestly, pretty good!
This is a once in a lifetime trip. Maybe it won't be around forever? Who knows? Go while you're young and mobile.
As you are deep inside, and it is dark you can't help but imagine what it was like when the Mayas were there.
Highly recommend, Highly recommend Pacz Tours too!
This tour is intense, fun, and doable if you are able to climb and swim and also sometimes climb with only socks on. You need water shoes for this, and I don't recommend Keens, because they are terrible shoes, and little pebbles and rocks get under your feet, and the water stays there, and then it's just slopping around as you walk, and is slippery and you will fall. I recommend cheap Amazon hiking water shoes with little holes at the bottom to let the water drain. I also recommend a water shirt.
The cave is exciting. Where else will you see skeletal remains of Mayan sacrifices? Sadly no photos, no cameras, no pictures. So just word of mouth. But in reality, some of the climbing is a bit hairy, and I can't even imagine taking a camera or phone with me. You will fit through tight spaces, water will be up to your neck, you will think you are almost done, but will then do a lot of climbing with only your socks on. You will climb up a ladder deep in the cave.
Bring a change of clothes and a towel.
Lunch is provided and was honestly, pretty good!
This is a once in a lifetime trip. Maybe it won't be around forever? Who knows? Go while you're young and mobile.
As you are deep inside, and it is dark you can't help but imagine what it was like when the Mayas were there.
Highly recommend, Highly recommend Pacz Tours too!
Written August 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the great reviews, Oscar is surely a great guide.
Written November 25, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Heather M
Las Vegas, NV20 contributions
Jan 2023
Epic! I had high expectations for the ATM Cave Tour. We've traveled extensively across Belize and this was our last bucket-list item and it was everything I expected and more. My husband and I are avid hikers so I can't really fairly describe the ease or difficulty of the experience. For us, it was a simple walk to the cave. The river was high and we're both tall, so that took a little more effort to cross. Once inside it was dark (obviously), wet and slick at times. Our water shoes from amazon worked great. There is a point where you are required to remove your shoes to climb into the cave.. I have tender feet so it was a bit more tricky. But, our guide Oscar was amazing. He told us exactly where to step. Which hand to put where, etc. It was very easy to navigate the darkness (with a headlamp) and his expertise. I am glad I had a helmet though, haha! Being 5'10" meant a couple head knocks on the rock. Oscar was not only helpful in the experience, but a wealth of knowledge. He told stories, related things from his childhood since he grew up in San Ignacio and often instructed us to turn off our headlamps to really soak in the experience. EPIC! Truly. Then, to finish it off.... Justin brought lunch that was homemade by his mom and absolutely delicious. Overall, great experience. I am so glad we got to see something so old, so unique, so full of history. Oscar even pointed out where past tourists had dropped phones and broken skulls and bones, hence why cameras are no longer allowed. It made it all the more apparent that our footprint is ever present. I may not have the pictures, but I have the memories which will last a lifetime.
Written February 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erik H
11 contributions
Jan 2025 • Friends
Bummed to be writing a negative review.
Our guide, Oscar, was not attentive and rushed us the entire time. He consistently pushed ahead leaving our slowest member behind. Additional, there was a moment when one of our group members fell and hit their leg. She was also having anxiety and rather than stop and see if she was alright or needed something he just barked back “it’s just a little further”. She stayed put while the rest of the group finished the end of the tour. Other guides stoped to check in, but Oscar had zero empathy. We felt like we were inconveniencing our guide, when our guide should have been taking care of us. Truly disappointing to have such a negative guide for what should have been one of the most exciting tours we went on. Wish I had read the reviews on here first or just had my host book the tour for us.
Oscar is certainly knowledgeable and passionate about Mayan culture and artifacts, however his lack of people skills makes me wonder why he continues to operate as a guide.
Our guide, Oscar, was not attentive and rushed us the entire time. He consistently pushed ahead leaving our slowest member behind. Additional, there was a moment when one of our group members fell and hit their leg. She was also having anxiety and rather than stop and see if she was alright or needed something he just barked back “it’s just a little further”. She stayed put while the rest of the group finished the end of the tour. Other guides stoped to check in, but Oscar had zero empathy. We felt like we were inconveniencing our guide, when our guide should have been taking care of us. Truly disappointing to have such a negative guide for what should have been one of the most exciting tours we went on. Wish I had read the reviews on here first or just had my host book the tour for us.
Oscar is certainly knowledgeable and passionate about Mayan culture and artifacts, however his lack of people skills makes me wonder why he continues to operate as a guide.
Written January 7, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deborah F
Boston, MA12 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
We used Pacz Tours to go to Caracol and Barton Creek and enjoyed excellent guiding by Pedro on both occasions. Emilio was very helpful in accommodating us at the last minute and taking all of our needs into account. Highly recommended if you need a tour operator in the San Ignacio area.
Written April 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
harobed1a
Newton, MA144 contributions
Apr 2023
We used Pacz tours to go to Barton Creek and Caracol and were guided by Pedro on both occasions. Emilio was extremely helpful and able to accommodate us with less than 24 hours' notice on both occasions. Pedro was professional and knowledgeable and conversed with us rather than lecturing. We thoroughly enjoyed both our outings and highly recommend this company.
Written April 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, I would like to visit the caracol site, can you tell me if the climb to the site is difficult and if you need hiking shoes or just sneakers. Thank you for your reply. Dominique
Written February 25, 2020
How is the availability of ATM Cave tour if I decide to book only a day before actual tour? Does it get sold out if I wait until the last minute? I don't want to plan much in advance, so need to know if it's usually available if I book just a day before?
Written June 20, 2019
We were there in high season - March and booked the day before as they had two spots left. I can't guarantee that is always the case but it worked for us.
Written June 25, 2019
How much does the ATM Cave tour cost per person?
Written May 10, 2019
We didn't do it. You can check those prices on their website.
Written July 10, 2019
What is the typical return time for the Xunantunich tour? I found the departure time of 9AM on the website but could not find the return time. Thank you! :)
Written August 4, 2018
What guides does everyone recommend or not recommend to ATM?
Written March 5, 2016
I recommend Oscar. He explained more than other groups and did not hurry us
Written February 2, 2019
Visiting San Ignacio December 8-12! Want to do cave tubing and thinking about ATM! My husband is 71 but in pretty good shape! Has torn his ACL- MCL ( knee) this year! Do you think touring ATM will be too hard for him? Also, can you pick up and drop off at hotel near San Ignacio town?
Thank you,
Sheree
Written November 28, 2015
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.