MS Adventures & Archeology

Account Type
Tour Operator
Gold Standard
Yes
Languages
Languages spoken by staff
Creole, English, Spanish
Service Types
Tours | Activities
Status
Premium Operator
Tour Operator License
TO 092-095

About Provider
Gold Certified:
Yes
Premium:
Yes
Recommended Partner
Mario Castellanos
Your Tour Guide
 
Mario is a native of Belize, fluent in English, Spanish and Creole language. He possesses a B Sc. in International Relations from the University of the West Indies (Upper Second Class Hons.). Worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belize for 21 years and traveled widely also was teaching at a High School.

After 7 years of working as a tour guide for some of Belize's better known Jungle Lodges, Mario found that he can better serve his clients as an independent tour guide. This allows him to tailor each and every tour to the needs of his customers rather than being pressed into a time schedule designed to get the maximum people with a minimum effort to the most sites.

Mario Castellanos's tours will not only introduce you to all the famous sites of Belize, but you will also get an in-depth insight into the ecological aspects along the way.

From ruins, birding, caves to river tubing, Mario has years of experience in the field and will take the time you need and desire to have the most pleasant and educational experience possible.
 
Recommended By:
Grace P
Nathalie S
Bozena B
E E
Contact Information
27 reviews   0 comments
Overall
(4.8 of 5)
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Great ATM tour
Damian our guide was excellent and very knowledgeable about the Mayans and Belize. He was an excellent guide for my husband and I and even though there were sections in the cave that were particularly dangerous and scary,, I completely trusted Damian to get us through safely. We had an excellent homemade lunch afterwards. I would highly recommend this company and Damian.
Review for Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
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Belize it’s Amazing
We went on tour with Belizing tours yesterday to the ATM cave .The tour guides were very friendly and helpful. The entire trip was very well organized and the groups were just small enough to allow for no rushing anywhere. The adventure itself was great,we are both seniors and we would recommend this to anyone who can endure the challenge. With these guides you are in for a treat, they are knowledgeable ... more about both the geology and the Mayan Culture and will guide you safely through the journey.Definitely a must for anyone looking for an adventure in Belize
Review for Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
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Amazing tour of the ATM cave
We had an AMAZING time at the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave with Ramad as our guide. He was extremely knowledgeable and very very helpful throughout the entire day. The entire day went seamlessly and we were so glad we went with booking a tour with Ms Adventures and Archeology. Thank you Ramad for helping us learn so much more about Mayan history and the history of the ATM cave.
Review for Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
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2
9
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Incredible experience, incredible guide
Our experience on the ATM tour with Renan was out of this world! Our guide has so much experience and amazing stories to tell. We were the last people in the cave and he let us turn off our lights and sit in silence at the full Skelton. Spooky! We had an absolutely incredible day. Lunch was delicious too
Review for Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
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3
9
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Great experience!
The tour was incredible, the walk through the rainforest, the crossings of a wonderful very clean river, and the scenery were wonderful. The ATM cave was something out of this world, an exiting and unique experience. Our guide Renan was so knowledgeable and friendly, he took so very good care of all of us, and made sure we were safe at all times. His respect for the environment and archeological sites ... more was impressive. It is a tour you should not miss, if you are in Belize!
Review for Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
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9
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Outstanding and FUN!
The guides were wonderful. Great communication, guidance and direction. They had plenty of knowledge and made sure everyone enjoyed the trip. The guides took extra care with those who needed more assistance. The water level was high due to rain, and the trip was more strenuous than usual. Our family was split up due to recent government changes to people per guide - and it worked out just fine! Bernandette ... more was a favorite!
Review for Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
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9
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ATM Cave tour and Tikal Tour: Dec 2024
We booked through MS Adventures & Archeology, Mario was very helpful in setting up the tours for us. We had Renan as our guide through the ATM Cave. He was very knowledgeable of the area. We were picked up at the place we were staying early to avoid crowds, which was great. We were served a traditional Belizean lunch, which was preparade by Mario's wife. Probably one of the better meals we had while ... more in San Ignacio. The next day went went to Talik, Mario made all the arrangements for that tour also. He picked us up and delivered us to the Guatemalan boarder where we met our other guide and driver. Our Guatemalan guide was very knowable of Tikal. Mario was waiting for us at the end of the day at the boarder to bring us back home. I would definitely book another trip with Mario. Thanks for the great adventure!
Review for Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
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9
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MS Adventure and Archaeology is the Best!
Mario is the best! We booked all of our trips (airport shuttle to San Ignacio, ATM, Crystal Cave, shuttle to zoo and water taxi) with MS Adventure and Archaeology Tours and everything went flawlessly. All of the guides and drivers were superb. We will definitely book with Mario again when we return.
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2
7
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Unique experience
It was an unique experience to camp in the jungle, at a beautiful place with a big waterfall. We hiked to the waterfall, swam/rested, and did a night hike. The tour was well organized(with pickup, dood, equipment etc). Our guide was very friendly, experienced and we felt very safe.
Review for Jungle Overnight
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10
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ATM tour: June 2024
Oscar was our guide, picked us up at our location on time. Great tour for our group of 6 (16-52yo)! We had Oscar and a guide in training all to ourselves. Easy hike portion before you get to the cave. You can opt not to wear life jackets but we all did. Nothing really deeper than about 5 feet in most parts. Water is chilly but actually feels pretty good. Portions of the cave are tight on space and ... more climbing portions not meant for those who aren’t in at least fair shape. Fast dry clothes are helpful. Great experience overall.
Review for Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
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2
9
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Great tour
Our tour was great - the guide, driver, and scheduling was easy. Company was responsive and allowed us to change after a cancelled flight.
Review for Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
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2
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ATM tour April 28
What an amazing trip!! Would recommend our guide every time! Gonzo is and archeologist who is studying the site and gave us a different insight than I think we would have received with some of the other tours. The tour was physically challenging at times but he was patient with anyone struggling.
Review for Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
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2
9
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Good Tour, not well-organized
I booked a tour to the ATM cave for a group of 7 people (2 families) and was told that one additional person will join our tour. A ratio of 1 guide to 8 people is the regular ratio, so this made sense to me. Unfortunately our group of 7 was split among 3 (!) other groups/guides when we got to the cave which was less than ideal and ruined our experience as we wanted to make memories together. Both ... more families got split up and the 3 kids also couldn't be together. We were first told to NOT take any water, then we were told we MUST take a water bottle each, leading to a back and forth between our assigned groups and cars and taking some water bottles that were heavier/larger than the smaller bottles everyone else received from their tour guides. It seemed to be a busy day with lots of guides/groups venturing into the cave and it took forever to reach the end/highlight of the cave as we had to stop many many times to let other groups pass by on their way out. It might be just the way it is, but some of us started to get light-headed without any food/water for such a long time. The trip out of the cave was soooo much quicker without so many unnecessary stops.
Review for Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
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2
8
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Loved it!
Our tour guide was Lenny and we absolutely loved him. The tour was a once in a lifetime experience and we would highly recommend it.
Review for Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
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2
8
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Jungle Night Walk
Mario and Diamond we’re kind people, but I’m not sure that Mario is very knowledgeable. The walk was not in a jungle at all, but was instead on someone’s limited farm. They had no laser pointer, which can be handy, or a spotting telescope.
Review for Jungle Night Walks
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2
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Sandra
Really good tour, Gonzo took care of us and gave us so much information about the caves and what went on in there . I only gave it a 3 for comfort as you can’t really be comfortable climbing rocks and squeezing through caves filled with water. Everything else was excellent
Review for Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
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8
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Beautiful Experience - a must do!
Had an amazing time doing the ATM tour. Renan was our guide and had a huge wealth of knowledge and experience to share. He took his time with us on the journey in and shared a lot of the history and ritual with a huge amount of respect to the sacredness of the space. So glad we took the time to do this while in Belize! Very trustworthy folks as well —I accidentally left a bag in the vehicle afterward ... more and Mario met up with me to return it later in the day. Thank you for everything!
Review for Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
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ATM - Best Tour!
Once in a lifetime experience for a family with 2 teens. Orlando was a great tour guide and provided a rich narrative of the area, local traditions and history. Orlando picked us up at the hotel and drove to the entrance. The cave tour is only allowed with a guide. The tour is no joke. Be prepared and follow the required list of what to wear to maximize your experience. For the hike/cave tour wear ... more what you can get wet and hike in. Bring a towel and change of clothes for the end and we kept the change of clothes/towel/phones in the locked truck. We hiked to the cave entrance for 30-40 minutes with 3 crossings of the same river with ropes. The first river is 1 river is about 4 feet deep. You swim about 20-30 feet to the cave entrance and climb through the cave in water of varying heights and climb up rocks, narrow passages and tight fits. Beautiful cave interiors. The walk is brisk into about 1/2 mile into the cave. The final destination is where you must wear socks to see the Mayan artifacts and skeletons and sacrificial area. No phones are allowed so you are very in the moment. Don’t pack anything with you- it’s not needed and you need your hands and nothing on your back to squeeze through. Then hike back 30 minutes in reverse ending with the final river crossing. Bathrooms/changing rooms at the end. Amazing experience. Followed with a delicious Belizean lunch served by your guide and reflecting on what you just accomplished with your group. Best tour we’ve ever done.
Review for Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
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8
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Very Memorable ATM Cave Tour
This was a unique experience. We had to hike to the entrance of the cave for 30-40 min, on the way wading through a river three times (water up to 5 ft. deep). We had to swim about 30 ft. into the cave and then waded in the river at varying depths and climbed over rocks for about a quarter mile. Water shoes with toe protection are highly recommended as the ground is uneven and has many stones! For ... more the last few hundred yards where there are the Mayan relics we had to take off our shoes and were only allowed to wear socks. Unless you are used to walking barefoot on rough sand or gravel, you should wear socks! Our guide Orlando was not only very knowledgeable about Mayan culture and the relics found in the cave, but also guided us in a way that we always felt safe. Overall it was a great experience!
Review for Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
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3
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Great tour! Must do!
Mario stayed on top of the communication all the time. Our driver David was great and super friendly and our tour guy Manuel was funny and super nice. Amazingn experience; I'll recommend them 100%. No cameras allow so no pics. You'll have to do the tour yourself.
Review for Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
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Gorgeous experience and Amazing guides!
Mario and his brother was great throughout the excursion. Communication was clear and quick, and the experience was awesome. A must in San Ignacio
Review for Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
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Amazing experience
Our guide, Orlando, was fantastic!
Review for Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
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4
6
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Fantastic Birdwatching
Mario took me out birdwatching during a recent trip to San Ignacio and had a great time. Saw many different species of birds including parrots and multiple types of Orioles. Mario is highly knowledgeable about the different birds and the areas they inhabit. Highly recommended.
Review for Bird Watching
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2
2
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Awesome Day
What a fantastic day spent on the river fishing with Tony (guide). Tony knows the Macao river like the back of his hand which made the fishing excellent. Along with catching white peacock bass and tuba Tony’s knowledge of the birds and wildlife is top notch! I highly recommend enjoying this trip if you are in San Ignacio!
Review for River Fishing
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9
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David 👍
David made our last day in Belize the most unbelizeable yet. Lots of stories and histories shared while enjoying so much of Belize
Review for Caracol, Rio Frio Cave & Waterfall Adventure
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3
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Far exceeded our expectations!
We'd been given a recommendation for cave tubing from a friend. The idea sounded cool and laid back, but it turned into something much better. The caves are wonderful, and they are explorable too! At points we'd leave our tubes behind and go spelunking. Exploring the caves felt very remote, unlike the ATM caves which at points are filled with other tour groups. You'll basically be free to look at ... more scattered Mayan Artifacts in a setting with no guardrails, display cases, handholding, or other tourists. Specifically in regards to our tour guide Mario with K'IN 'WINIK Jungle Tours (aka M&S Archeology Tours of Belize) we couldn't be happier. He's a great guide that makes it known from the get go that he likes answering questions and teaching people. We all felt very safe with him, and found him extremely trustworthy. He also gave us a ride to the airport after our expedition for a small amount extra. We'd recommend using him and his company for any/all of your planned activities.
Review for Jaguar Paw Cave Tubing
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2
2
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Day tour to Tikal
The tour was fantastic. Sergio (tour guide) and Moses (driver) picked us up right on time at our hotel. We had to change vehicles at the Guatemala border, but both of them stayed with us after we crossed and continued on to the park. Once inside the park, Moses stopped when we came upon some spider monkeys so we could get out and take pictures. Sergio was very informative and was able to answer all ... more of our questions about the site, and has a great sense of humor. The restaurant where we ate lunch on the return trip was wonderful as well. All in all, an excellent day.
Review for Tikal Mundo Maya Site/Guatemala Shopping
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2
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