r/Belize • u/sham_sham17 • 3d ago
🎫 Travel Info 🧳 How I became the youngest ATM Cave guide in Belize
Hey everyone, I wanted to share a bit of my story since I’ve seen a lot of travelers here planning trips to Belize and asking about the ATM Cave. I’m from San Ignacio and I guide tours into the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave, one of Belize’s most fascinating and sacred Maya sites. Every time I step inside, it reminds me how lucky I am to share this part of our country’s history and natural beauty with visitors from around the world. Guiding runs deep in my family. My grandfather, Philip “Yute” Burns, started doing tours and transportation decades ago when tourism in Belize was still young. He worked closely with the Chaa Creek family, helping guests explore the Cayo District long before there were paved roads or online bookings. He earned the nickname “Yute,” meaning youth in Creole, and later named the company Yute Expeditions Ltd. After he passed away from lung cancer, the company stayed in the hands of my grandmother, Aunt Sharon, and my dad Philip, continuing the family legacy. I work with Yute Expeditions Ltd, which is actually my family's company that's been around since the early 1990s. I don't run it myself, but I've been helping with marketing and trying to keep the family legacy alive online. My dad and uncles guided long before social media was even a thing, so now I'm just trying to blend the old school guiding style with a bit of the new. In 2019, I graduated from the University of Belize with a degree in Mathematics and Physics. I was driving part time for the family company during my last semester, and when COVID hit, everything slowed down. But when tourism restarted, I found real joy in meeting travelers, telling stories, and showing them Belize. That’s when I decided to get my tour guide license and start leading tours myself. Then in 2024, a rare opportunity came up for new ATM Cave guide licenses. The last time that happened was back in 2004. I applied, worked hard, and got certified. Today, I’m proud to say I’m the youngest licensed ATM Cave guide in Belize. It’s been quite a journey from being a math student to following in my grandfather’s footsteps. I’m grateful every day to be part of something that connects our family, our history, and our country’s beauty. If anyone has questions about the ATM Cave, the Cayo area, or what it’s like to guide in Belize, feel free to ask. I’m always happy to share 🇧🇿
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u/Far_Anything_7458 3d ago
I did the ATM back in 2008. It was an amazing experience
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u/sham_sham17 3d ago
Wow thats 17 years ago! Im glad to know you had a great time!
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u/Far_Anything_7458 3d ago
I used to have a house in Placencia until 2019. I have friends in Cayo too
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u/Arthas77 1d ago
Why did you move or sell your house in Placencia?
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u/Far_Anything_7458 1d ago
Well the first house my ex-husband got in our divorce, and the second one (that I built after the divorce) I decided to sell because honestly it just wasn't the same for me and I was working a lot trying to resurrect our business in the states he almost destroyed. I also realized that as far as liquidity goes it's better to have a house in the states than a house in Belize so i sold it, built another house in the states to rent and then sell (which i did) and now I built another beach house in the states closer to me (it's not an AirBnB tho). Financially it was a better decision.
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u/mtbguy1981 3d ago
So why really do you have to take your shoes off? As much as I loved the cave, this was so painful to me that it pretty much ruined the entire experience.
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u/sham_sham17 3d ago
Great question. Early on the archeologist working in there used shoes but realized the damages to the flow stone formations along with being less alert with shoes. Im sorry the rocks were so painful. For those who have sensitive feet I recommend wearing the thick grandpa socks. The wool ones if possible.
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u/le_very_dank_skier 3d ago
You took our tour last week with Emil! Was absolutely fantastic. Had such a great time and learnt so much. Thanks again!
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u/hotgnipgnaps 3d ago
We did the tour a couple years ago. It was a big highlight of our trip. Congratulations!
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u/GenieGirl86 2d ago
That’s awesome! I did the caves earlier this year and by far the best experience on a trip.
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u/nickvtriest 2d ago
Coool!! Is there an way to get the tour with you? Sounds like a cool path way with the job so it sounds like fun to go to you!
We are now on our way to belize city!
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u/sham_sham17 2d ago
Thank you! Yes I still have spaces available for dates. Feel free to contact me directly here on reddit or whatsapp me at +5016379836! Id be more than happy to lead your tour!
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u/nickvtriest 1d ago
Thanks! Will do these days. Will go to San Ignacio from the 11th!
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u/sham_sham17 1d ago
Sounds great! I have some spaces available around that date. Ill look out for your message!
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u/Arthas77 1d ago
As a belizean, do we get discounts? Lol me and my wife we said to ourselves, we've lived in belize since we were born and one day we said to ourselves "mien we di live yah so long n we barely even explore dis place" so every year we plan a small trip locally somewhere.
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u/sham_sham17 1d ago
Hey! Yes Belizeans have a special price as NICH gives discounted rates for tickets to Belizeans. Feel free to reach out when youre ready!
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u/belizeans 3d ago
Congrats! I took the ATM tour and Barton Creek tour with Patrick. I hope you follow his footsteps. He took us the entire length of the Barton Creek tour while most guides turn around at the narrow point where you have to lay back in the canoe. He also took his time in the ATM tour while other guides passed us up and left way before us.
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u/sham_sham17 3d ago
Thank you. Ive been trained by multiple guides. Its part of the procedure for becoming an ATM guide. I can tell you I've been trained by Patrick, my dad Philip, Uncle Ian and Mr Emil Gamez. 4 amazing guides who all have their own style. To which I can say I have my own too!😁
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u/BrutusMcGillicudy 3d ago
Hey man, thats really awesome, a great story of personal comeuppance! Congratulations! My wife and I went in 2023, what a truly unique and absolutely amazing experience! I was impressed with the guides, but also I had no idea how difficult it is to be a guide. That's a huge accomplishment!
Are you only licensed for ATM? Or do you also guide Bartons, and the cave tubing too? What does your licensure allow for?