How to Use Tokyo’s Public Transportation

How to Use Tokyo’s Public Transportation

Asia, Destinations, Travel Tips

How to Use Tokyo’s Public Transportation

An easy to understand, outlined guide on how to use Tokyo’s public transportation.

Last Updated April 8th, 2020

Tokyo has almost 14 million residents, so taking public transportation in Tokyo, Japan is the best way to get around the city. However, being that it is such a large city, Tokyo’s public transportation system can be very confusing and overwhelming to visitors. I’ve put together an easy to follow, and detailed guide on how to get around Tokyo, and the best way to do so. And when I say detailed, I mean I’ve compiled all of my research into a succinct bullet point outline so that you can easily understand everything and get the most juice out of the lemon (is that a real phrase, or did I just make it up?)

Trust me when I suggest that you read through this slowly. Jot down your own notes & reference multiple maps while reading, so that you can feel comfortable with getting around when you arrive in Tokyo. Taking public transportation is much cheaper than paying for an uber or taxi, since the city is so large, and it gives you an excellent opportunity to truly experience Japan’s unique culture.

*PLEASE note that bus transportation is not included in this guide. We found prices to be similar from bus to train to subway, and felt that train and subway lines are more reliable and time efficient.

Things to Know about Tokyo, Japan’s Public Transportation System:

  • Tokyo’s size requires anyone to utilize their very efficient public transportation
  • Japan’s public transport is ALWAYS on time
  • Everything is clean. From the actual train cars to the walkways, to the restrooms. In fact, the public restrooms at the stations were comparable to nice hotel restrooms. As with most of Tokyo, there are few trash cans available.
  • Efficiency is the focus. With more than 13 million people in one city, efficiency is necessary for Tokyo’s public transportation. There are arrows showing which side of walkways to walk on and where to line up for each car. What would be chaotic elsewhere is systematic order here.
  • Tokyo’s public transportation is very safe. The etiquette on Tokyo’s public transportation is to not give direct eye contact and to keep to yourself. Not once did I ever slightly feel uncomfortable or that there were pickpockets. *however, still always protect your belongings
  • It’s easy to use, but can be quite confusing to a visitor due to the number of transit lines.
  • Vending machines are in every station. They have a plethora of unique drinks you can get. *Keep in mind the amount of plastic that comes from these machines, if you want to try something be selective to limit your plastic purchases please.
  • There are two types of Tokyo public transportation cards you can purchase. The Suica & the Pasmo, more details on these below
  • If lost, someone may come up to help you and you can always ask an official inside. We found that the Japanese were very kind and helpful when we seemed lost and confused.
  • The JR East & subway lines are the most convenient (see below)

 

    Plan your trip to Tokyo with this four day itinerary

    Trains in Tokyo

    You can use a Travel card (Suica or Pasmo) or a JR rail pass on Tokyo’s trains. These allow commuters to hop on/off buses and navigate stations relatively stress free. I would recommend using one of these cards throughout your stay as it will eliminate the need to purchase a ticket for each ride. Whichever you choose, know that Tokyo’s trains are very economical & convenient for travelers

    Here are details on the train types available in Tokyo:

    • JR = Japan Rail, this rail system covers the entire country of Japan (this JR term will be referred to a lot in this post)
      • JR East is a group of lines. It includes Tokyo so will be seen most often in the city
        • JR Yamanote Line- one of the JR East lines, this train service does a circular loop of all of Tokyo’s main spots & runs until 1:20am
          • Six major stations on this line:

      Tokyo

      Ueno

      Ikebukuro

      Shinjuku

      Shibuya

      Shinagawa

      Other JR Lines that you might use frequently in Tokyo are:

      Keihin-Tohoku Line: runs parallel to the Yamanote Line’s eastern half

      (blue)

      Saikyo Line: runs parallel to the Yamanote Line on the western half

      (dark green, light blue)

      Chuo/Sobu Line (local): runs across the Yamanote circle, this is a local, slow service

      (Yellow, slow local)

      Chuo Line (rapid): runs across the Yamanote circle, a rapid service. Connects the Tokyo Station with Shinjuku Stations

      (Orange, rapid)

      Shinkansen: known as ‘bullet trains’. The Tokaido Shinknason trains stop at Tokyo & Shinagawa, and bullet trains north stop at Tokyo & Ueno

      Shinkansen, or high speed bullet train, tickets can be purchased from the JR stations

      Maps of the Shinknason trains cover the entirety of Japan, so to avoid confusion none are included in here. If you are interested in the bullet trains, check out this guide here

        • The Narita Express is a JR East train line
          • Narita Express is the train line that takes you from the Narita Airport into Tokyo’s city center
      • There are private railway companies
        • They connect Tokyo’s center with outer regions & surrounding prefectures
        • The private railways typically start at a JR Yamanote Line
        • Here are some of the private railway companies
          • Keio
          • Odakyu
          • Seibu
          • Tokyu
          • Keikyu
          • Keisei
          • Tobu

        Before you visit! Learn about Japanese Culture here.

        Now that we’ve covered above ground trains, let’s move onto

        Tokyo’s SUBWAYS

        • There are 13 subway lines
          • Operated by two companies
            • Toei (4 lines) & Tokyo Metro (9 lines)
          • They run mostly inside of the JR Yamanote Line (remember the JR Yamanote Line is the circular/loop line that stops at many major Tokyo stops)

        Click here to see Tokyo Metro’s Subway Map

        Tickets & Passes for Tokyo’s Subways and Trains

        Tokyo Travel cards

          • Tokyo’s travel cards give you unlimited access to any subway or train line
          • They don’t discount the cost per ride, but they do save you a lot of time from having to buy a ticket each time you want to go somewhere; i.e. you’d have to find the ticket booth, stand in line, etc (each station is different so finding the ticket area would take you time)
          • Each area/prefecture of Japan has their own travel card. The most used and acceptable in Tokyo are the Suica and Pasmo cards. What is the difference between a Suica and a Pasmo card? See below!

        Suica: purchased at JR lines

          • Travelers can purchase Suica cards from any JR station ticket machine or convenience stores
          • It is a prepaid fare card
          • A 500 yen (about $5) deposit is required, and can be refunded when the card is returned
          • Suica cards are accepted all over Japan- almost all buses, trains, convenience stores, vending machines
          • Once charged up with money the Suica card can be used immediately

        Pasmo: purchased at non-JR lines/local lines (subway & bus lines)

          • Pasmo cards are used the same way as Suica cards, they are just provided by a different company
          • Pasmo cards are only accepted within Tokyo
          • Pasmo cards can be purchased from either airport, rail & subway stations
          • A 500 yen deposit is also required, and can be refunded when the card is returned.
            • Keep in mind, that the Pasmo card is only available to be used within Tokyo, so be sure to return the card for your deposit while you are within the city of Tokyo

        Should you choose a Suica or Pasmo card?

        This seems to be a matter of preference to each person & where they will be traveling within the country

        How to use your travel cards:

          • Simply touch your travel card over the entrance scanner to the station
          • The scanners will beep if you do not have enough money charged onto the card, so each station has kiosks where you can purchase and re-charge your cards
        • Day passes are available but not very convenient
          • They don’t cover all of the different lines & all seem to be overpriced
          • And if you’re exploring over a few days you’ll end up taking different lines of transportation around, so its more economical to purchase a travel card
        • Japan Rail Pass
          • This is useful if you are exploring large parts of Japan, outside of Tokyo
          • If traveling outside of Tokyo, I would suggest purchasing the Japan Rail Pass only for the days that you are not in Tokyo, and using the travel cards, which are cheaper, for when you are in Tokyo
        • Regional Passes
          • JR Tokyo Wide Pass: good for getting to Tokyo Disneyland and Mt. Fuji
            • You can only purchase a regional pass in person at either of Tokyo’s airports or the main train stations
          • Know that each region of Japan has its own travel pass, or IC card (Tokyo’s are Suica & Pasmo)

          Tips for using Tokyo’s Public Transportation:

          • The faster, bullet trains, also known as Shinkansen, require separate tickets. Meaning you cannot use your Travel (Suica or Pasmo) cards for the bullet trains
          • Return your travel card at the end of your visit at any station relevant to your card
            • Suica: JR lines
            • Pasmo: non-JR lines
          • With 13 million people in one city, rush hour will be packed; if possible, avoid traveling from 7:30-9am
          • Many lines run from 5am-1am
          • There are women only cars during rush hours (children 6th grade & younger are allowed), typically towards the front of the train
          • Use your mobile device to help you navigate. Google Maps was on point with their directions using Tokyo’s trains and subways. The app will show you the number of stops, which exit of the station to take & the direction to walk towards

          Hi! I’m Laura, a sustainable travel blogger, as well as freelancing online brand strategist. I share real & honest information about traveling, how to do so sustainably, and ways to earn an income while working remote.

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          Planning a trip to Tokyo? Read these posts to help you plan & feel prepared for your trip!

          Weekend Itinerary for Tokyo, Japan

          Basics of Japanese Culture

          First Time Visitors Guide to Tokyo, Japan

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          Japanese Culture

          Japanese Culture

          Asia, Destinations

          Japanese Culture

          Easy to remember & good to know information about Japanese Culture if you are visiting for the first time (or need a refresher!)

          Last Updated April 8th, 2020

          Japanese culture is known around the world as a fascinating, unique and deeply historic culture. Tokyo, Japan’s capital city, is where tradition meets innovation. You can be standing next to a thousand year old temple with a modern day skyscraper in front of you. With the 2020 Olympics just around the corner, Japanese culture and traditions are being highlighted for the world to see. Yet, it was only a few hundred years ago that the country was isolated from the rest of the world. This allowed the famous culture in Japan to become such a fascinating lifestyle to learn about and experience.

          I have only spent a few days in Tokyo, Japan (it was also my first time in Asia) and continue to cherish the beautiful and serene lifestyle. If you are visiting Tokyo, Japan, here are things to know about Tokyo culture to help you feel at home and be prepared for your travels there:

          [Traveling to Tokyo for the first time? Check out my First Timers Guide to Tokyo, Japan]

          Basics of Japanese Culture

          Japanese Food Culture

          1) Japanese food is created with pride and excitement

          The Japanese take great pride and excitement in the food they prepare, with many things being made with the craftsmanship that modern day ‘hipsters’ seemingly adore (however, if we’re being honest, the Western view of local & craftsmanship has shifted away from the typically adored mass production of food in the last few years- maybe the Japanese are onto something…)

            2) The Japanese diet consists mainly of rice, fresh seafood and pickled vegetables

            This healthy diet is considered to be one of the reasons the Japanese live such long lives.

            3) Japanese food is so much more than sushi

            Sushi has become a Westernized speciality for celebratory nights out or a self indulgent treat. It is also the food that Japan has become most well known for. However, Japanese diets go beyond sushi. While fresh seafood is a huge part of their typical diet, vegetarians (like myself) can find plenty of tofu, buckwheat noodles and seasonal vegetables to enjoy.

            4) Chopsticks are the equivalent to a fork and knife.

            And just like we have etiquette with utensils in the United States, there is etiquette for using chopsticks.

            Never point with your chopsticks

            Don’t place your chopsticks in a bowl of rice or pass food around with them

              5) Soy sauce should be used lightly

              The Japanese cook with pride & dousing your rice in soy sauce translates to the chef and restaurant owner that you were served poorly made food

              6) No need to tip

              The Japanese are extremely kind (more on this below) and will provide excellent service regardless, so there is no cultural norm to tip. In fact, most will try to awkwardly give you back your tip if you leave one

              7) Don’t pour your own drinks

              Your host/ess or friend should make sure your glass is always full, and you should do the same for them- Kanpai! (cheers)

              8) Vending machines are everywhere and are filled with unique beverages

              Drinks on the go is a lifestyle here, however the use of plastic doesn’t make this a sustainable tactic

              9) Speaking of drinks, tea is the drink of choice in Japan

              Most restaurants will supply you with hot green tea, just like you would receive a glass of water in western culture. And there are many delicious teas to try besides green tea.

              Japanese People & Mannerisms

              10) Japanese people are very friendly and kind. They will notice if you are a visitor and are helpful if you become lost or confused. You will be in awe with how polite, well mannered and quiet the Japanese are.

              Some say that this mentality stems from the strong history of the samurai (discipline, respect honor), which transcended through time to modern society

              11) PDA is a no-no

              It’s improper to show public displays of affection

              12) Instead of pointing with your finger, show with your hand, palm facing up

              13) Greet with a bow

              A bow is the equivalent to a handshake. You don’t need to bow to everyone who bows to you (otherwise you would bow to every restaurant employee you come across and spend your entire day bent over), you can instead do a polite head nod. However, many Japanese are becoming accustomed to shaking hands

              Bows are silent ways of saying thank you, greeting or saying farewell and for apologizing

                Overall Japanese Culture

                14) Public spaces are quite quiet. You won’t see many loud or rambunctious Japanese in public spaces, however the nightlife can be a completely different story

                15) Overall, the city of Tokyo is very safe.

                We never felt uncomfortable or that there were pickpockets

                16) Try not to stare

                I’m not sure if it’s the sales person in me, but I found myself giving direct eye contact to way too many people when visiting Japan. I noticed I was doing it because they do not do the same. I came to find out that this a cultural norm.

                  17) The maps for public transportation can be quite confusing to a visitor. Don’t let it frighten you, because if you look lost someone will most likely stop to help you. At one point during our trip, a gentleman stopped on his way to work to help walk us outside of the metro station and take us to the correct station (did I mention the Japanese are some of the kindest people?)

                  Great piece of advice: don’t just stop inside of a train station if you are lost or confused. Move to the side, out of the way, as there are so many people filtering through them

                  I put together an awesome guide for how to use Tokyo’s Public Transportation here!

                    18) The city of Tokyo is spotlessly clean

                    There aren’t many public trash cans, yet the streets are all immaculate (I once saw a man shining a fire hydrant… that’s cleanliness level that Monica Gellar would be proud of). This means that the cities cleanliness is partly self maintained by its people. Respect the country and its people by not littering.

                      Interesting Cultural facts about Japan

                      19) There’s a difference between a shrine and temple

                      A shrine is for the Shinto religion, whereas a temple is for the Buddhist religion. You can tell the difference upon your entrance as a shrine will have water for those entering to wash their hands and mouth in order to cleanse the soul before entering, and a temple will most likely require shoes to be removed prior to entering.

                      20) You will see evidence of the country’s religious heritage everywhere you look. The Japanese are very proud of it, although for each person religion is typically a private affair

                      21) In fact, many Japanese gardens are based on Buddhism, but the two religions mutually exist together

                        Hi! I’m Laura, a sustainable travel blogger, as well as freelancing online brand strategist. I share real & honest information about traveling, how to do so sustainably, and ways to earn an income while working remote.

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                        As with any country there are different cultural segments among the people – for Japan it would be Shinto, Buddhism, Ryukyukan and Ainu – yet the overall sense of respect and honor transcend throughout its entirety. Japan is a country where traditions that go back for thousands of years are respected, and fast paced evolution with fashion trends, architecture and technology are sought after simultaneously. There is debate among which stands to support Japan moving forward – the traditions or advancements – but that’s a discussion for another time, maybe one we can have during or after the 2020 Olympic games in Tokyo.

                          [If you’re planning a trip to Japan, then don’t miss this Weekend Itinerary for Tokyo, Japan. No trip to Japan is complete without experiencing this incredible city]

                          Things Japan is known for:

                          -sushi

                          -geishas

                          -samurais

                          -iekbana (flower arranging)

                          -origami

                          -kabuki (theatre)

                          -sumo wrestling

                          -anime

                          -tea ceremonies

                          -capsule hotels

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                            Review of Travelcon

                            Review of Travelcon

                            Musings/Reflections, Recommendations

                            Review of Travelcon

                            An honest review of travel bloggings newest annual conference, Travelcon

                            Note: this post contains affiliate links to products we love and have purchased ourselves on Amazon. Clicking these links doesn’t cost you any extra money, and you’re supporting us by doing so. You can view our disclosure page for additional details.

                            It feels like the past year (2018-2019) has been THE year for selling online courses. The amount of times I have signed up for a free webinar to gain some insight that turned into a 45 minute session describing how desperate we all must be and how wealthy we’ll all of a sudden become by spending $15,000 on this epicly life changing course… would amount to too many hours wasted. So I get it, spending your hard earned money on a course or a conference can create a hesitating, stomach churning ‘I need to be able to pay rent this month’ effect.

                            This review of Travelcon 2018 will provide clarity from an honest, unbiased opinion from someone (me!) who attended the conference.

                            Travelcon is a travel blogger conference that is gearing up for its second run. Below are details about what the conference entailed last year, what I found to be the pros and cons, and how it could benefit travel bloggers who consider themselves beginners, intermediate or advanced at their craft. Lastly, we’ll cover what to expect for 2019’s Travelcon Conference.

                            What is Travelcon?

                            Travelcon is a travel bloggers conference put on by the well-known & successful travel blogger, Nomadic Matt (aka Matthew Kepnes). It connects travel bloggers, writers, photographers, videographers in all stages of their blogging journey from beginner to advanced with industry leaders, brands and well-established bloggers. The primary goal of Travelcon stands alone in its pursuit to help others learn how to develop a profitable & successful travel blog (because not every travel blog may be pursuing profits, success is accepted in many different forms).

                            What does Travelcon include?

                            2018: Travelcon’s flagship conference was held in 2018 in Austin, Texas. The conference was three full days of inspiring keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities.

                            • Each day began & ended with an inspiring and unique keynote speaker, many of which were individuals whose books I had read and/or heard about, such as Ryan Holiday & Rolf Potts.
                            • Breakout sessions from morning through the afternoon, lasting one hour each, and varying in topic and level (beginner, intermediate & advanced), which were run by industry leaders in their niche
                            • A Blogger Marketplace: an exhibition room where PR firms, brands, tourism boards and more were set up to showcase themselves. Attendees were able to walk around & speak to each table within the blogger marketplace. It was great for networking & discovering what their qualifications are for partnering with a travel blogger
                            • Evening events: each evening there was a scheduled outing of some kind, with each one being different and located at Austin city favorites. One evening was an open bar night, the other a light buffet with a drink ticket. *Lunches were provided each day, two of which were at the hotel venue, the other a local favorite food truck
                            • Afternoon Meetup: one afternoon was sectioned off for group meetups. Attendees had the option to choose which meetup group to attend based on their niche; Superstar Bloggers, Female travel, Solo travel, etc. Each was held at a different Austin bar.
                            • Discounted travel related outings the day before the conference started. I flew in too late in the day to attend these, so I cannot speak to the quality of them but seemed like a fun option to explore the city & meet attendees prior to the conference starting.

                            Pros & Cons of Travelcon 2018

                            Pros of attending Travelcon:

                            • The entire conference was very well organized: I was very impressed with the organizational flow as it was its first year. I’ve attended work related conferences for years & always had an opinion on how it could be better organized, so this was the first time I was very happy with a conference schedule
                            • Everyone was friendly & welcoming! With the exception of a handful of people, almost everyone I met or introduced myself to was so friendly, welcoming and warm. No matter your success level, the people in attendance were excited to be there.
                            • Networking opportunities: from the daily sessions to the evening events, it was pretty easy to network and make connections with fellow travel lovers, those already successful in the industry and outside of it
                            • Plenty of opportunities to meet the decision makers behind destination & travel brands
                            • Variety of session topics & placement levels: the variety was amazing & each session provided great insight on current best practices & trends
                            • Three FULL days where attendees can select their own schedule: this goes along with variety, but it was awesome being able to choose which sessions to attend based on what I wanted/needed to learn about
                            • Not every speaker was in the travel industry: this provided us even greater insight & allowed listeners to think outside of the box
                            • The Travelcon App: they created an app for the conference, and it was stellar. You could access the schedule and they used it to send out updates, in addition to other tools within it
                            • Not once did I feel sold to: each session was solely aiming to help educate & support us, as opposed to self promotion which I’ve experienced elsewhere. Very refreshing!
                            • Meal options were vegetarian friendly! I’ll be the first to admit I’m a picky vegetarian eater, and I was happily surprised when I found out that the lunches provided had MULTIPLE vegetarian options

                            Cons of attending Travelcon:

                            • It was difficult to reserve spaces in the writing & photography workshops as they filled up so quickly — within minutes of opening them — however they did their best to alleviate this by adding a few additional workshops, it appears that they’ve added more of these in 2019’s schedule
                            • Not every speaker was in the travel industry *yes, I’m using this in both pros & cons, so some had difficulty understanding the issues travel bloggers face when questions were asked

                            There were at least five sessions during each hour, so attendees have to choose among quite a few highly desirable sessions. The solution to this is that you can purchase a Virtual Pass, so that you can watch the sessions (for one year after the event!) in your own free time. I purchased a Virtual Pass for that reason & found value in being able to watch the sessions afterwards.

                            Get your Travelcon Virtual Pass Here!

                            Does Travelcon benefit beginner, intermediate or advanced travel bloggers?

                            In my opinion, Travelcon can benefit travel bloggers in any stage of their success. No matter how developed a travel blogger you are, attending Travelcon will leave you feeling inspired & ready to crush it, plus the networking opportunities are great if you’re up for putting yourself out there.

                            Beginners: I attended Travelcon after starting my blog only eight months prior, and really not spending much time on it. As a beginner travel blogger, attending Travelcon will open your eyes to what is available to you when you begin to succeed, as well as what skills you need to learn to get there. Don’t worry about not fitting in, or not knowing enough, or not feeling ‘ready’!

                            Intermediate: Travelcon is a wonderful place to develop your skills. If you’ve been blogging for sometime Travelcon is a great conference to fill in any gaps and push yourself to network.

                            Advanced: The successful travel bloggers I spoke to left saying that they enjoyed Travelcon as well. Networking feels key to an advanced blogger, and is a great place to showcase your personal brand to new people & find further inspiration

                            What to expect from Travelcon 2019:

                            This year Travelcon will be located in a different city, Boston, Massachusetts, and still focus on its main goal of educating travel bloggers. The 2019 schedule is now live and appears to be similarly set up as the 2018 schedule (yay! Because last years schedule flowed very well). Travelcons 2019 attendees can expect even more amazing keynote speakers like author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, Mark Manson, popular female travel blogger, Kiersten Rich, of The Blonde Abroad and the freaking founder of Lonely Planet, Tony Wheelers! There appears to be more breakout sessions and registration required workshops, as well as additional panel discussions. The schedule also sneakily added in there a surprise musical act during one of the evening parties… fingers crossed Matt has enough pull to have the Backstreet Boys perform for us travelers.

                            Understanding that the price tag of attending this conference may seem a bit high for your budget. In comparison to my experience of others attempting to sell me online courses upwards of $8,000-$15,000, this was the most beneficial item I spent my time & money on in regards to my travel blog in 2018 (besides purchasing my domain & hosting services, haha). If you’re still hesitant to take the leap, then I would definitely suggest you purchase a virtual pass for the conference. You can purchase it right here. Using this link will help Blue Eyed Compass to continue to share helpful & carefully curated content.

                            Here’s to hoping for an international Travelcon in the future!

                            Still not convinced? You can firm up your skills with one of Nomadic Matt’s travel blogger courses. I can speak highly of the blogging & photography course. Plus if you use this link, you’ll help Blue Eyed Compass’s goals to share with others how to travel sustainably.

                            Hi! I’m Laura, a sustainable travel blogger, as well as freelancing online brand strategist. I share real & honest information about traveling, how to do so sustainably, and ways to earn an income while working remote.

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                            Experience Mayan Caves in Belize

                            Experience Mayan Caves in Belize

                            Central America, Destinations

                            Experience Mayan Caves in Belize

                            The best tours and caves to explore in Belize

                            Note: this post contains affiliate links to products we love and have purchased ourselves on Amazon. Clicking these links doesn’t cost you any extra money, and you’re supporting us by doing so. You can view our disclosure page for additional details.

                            I’m a history lover by nature, and once I learned that the caves in Belize were idolized places by the Mayans I knew I had to go explore them. Caving in Belize is a wonderfully sustainable way to experience history, nature, have an adventure and get to know the local culture. There are a few options for cave tours, each with their own adventurous spirit, and all with a load of history embedded in the story.

                            Things to know about visiting caves in Belize

                            • You MUST book a tour to visit any cave in Belize- almost all of them are sacred places that have historical artifacts inside so the government requires a tour guide
                            • There are hundreds of caves in Belize, but only a fraction are open to the public to visit. The Belizean government has done a phenomenal job protecting the caves from over crowding them with tourists
                            • The environment inside of caves is extremely fragile. A rule of thumb is to leave the place the same or a little better than when you arrived; meaning do NOT leave any trash (all of the guides will review this with you as well), and if you see trash notify your guide so it can be picked up to be removed.
                            • Each hotel will offer similar and unique tours; be sure to check out Tripadvisor for tour reviews & to get even more ideas
                            • Wear clothes you are comfortable getting wet, including closed toe shoes. The first river crossing will have you submerged up to your shoulders. We purchased these water shoes prior to our trip and loved how they felt like lightweight sneakers.

                            Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM)

                            The ATM cave is the most popular cave to visit in Belize. Uniquely, it’s popularity doesn’t equate to an overcrowded tourist trap. Tours here must be booked in advance, as there are only a handful of approved licensed guides. In fact, the government has stated that it will no longer allow any more people to be licensed on guiding groups into this cave. This means that once all of the current guides have retired, the cave will be closed off from the public!

                            Most tours will pick you up at your hotel, and you’ll enjoy a scenic drive through stoney back roads, small farms and lush jungle hills as the backdrop. Be sure to inhale the fresh orange scent while driving through the orange groves prior to parking. Once there, helmets will be provided with headlamps. The adventure starts right away with a short swim through a river (three different times!) and a 40 minute flat level hike to get to the entrance of the cave.

                            Greeted by clear, teal water and multiple pools of water cascading from the cave entrance, a curtain of ivy disguises its true depth. After jumping into the water to swim through the caves entrance, you will notice how the rock surfaces you walk on are not slippery at all. That is due to the lack of sunlight. Sunlight allows moss to grow, so no sun exposure means no moss.

                            Right away you will learn and see visible traces of the Mayans who came here to worship their gods. Mayans viewed the tree roots in the caves as the roots to their Tree of Life that connected them to the spirit world below. These caves, and the well preserved ATM cave, was a place of sacrifice during difficult times. Take note of how the sacrifices intensify with the depth of the cave, meaning that the more troublesome their situation the further in they would go to place offerings. This was done because the Mayans felt that the deeper into the cave they went equated to their closeness to the gods. Towards the back of the cave is the “Crystal Maiden”, who is thought to be a sacrifice victim. Years of annual rainy seasons has left her appearing to have a ‘fairy dust’ coating.

                            Once all the way in the cave, enjoy the dynamic hike back down through the cave. Climbing through crevices and sliding down into natural pools of water until you swim out of the cave and back into the jungle sunlight. Finishing your hike with a lunch outdoors and a beer with your group.

                            *I cannot recommend this tour enough if you are visiting Belize. It is so well structured, informative and well managed. I also loved how it felt like an adventure that anyone could do. Since our group had only four excited adults, our guide gave us a more exciting cave hike, and he was so willing to answer questions & point out cool things about the plants, animals and Mayan people. See below for a link of how to book him for your tour here.

                            TIPS for visiting the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave:

                            • NO cameras of any kind are allowed inside (someone has cracked a fragile skull by accidentally dropping their camera on it) *Hence, why there are no pictures for this tour on this section of the post
                            • Try to book with a small group. With only one other couple on our tour, our guide was able to maneuver us to different areas inside of the cave, and you’ll spend more time swimming throughout the tour.
                            • There are simple showers you may use after your hike back to the vehicle. I’d suggest bringing a change of clothes and towel from your lodging, so that you can quickly rinse off and feel refreshed on your drive back

                            Waterfall Cave Expedition

                            The most vigorous cave tour option, the Waterfall Cave Expedition will involve hiking through a jungle, crawling in a cave, swimming and jumping off from the top of waterfalls. Caves Branch Jungle Lodge picks up the group in a ‘renovated’ (loosely used word here) tank. Which is needed when driving through unpaved roads through a valley of orange groves.

                            Once far enough into the jungle, enjoy a short 20 minute hike that starts with a warning of ‘watch out for snakes!’ and the guide pulling out his machete. A sure sign that today’s endeavor will be one to remember.

                            Unlike the ATM tour, the cave entrance is on dry land with tree roots pulling around the cave entrance. You will eventually get to water that comes up to your knees and will go from walking to crawling through low hanging stalactites in the dark, and tip toeing when you’re able to stand so as not to disturb the delicate cave equivalent of an ocean’s coral reef.

                            Once you are deep enough into the cave the real adventure starts. Dropping your packs, you put on a life vest and start by swimming under low hanging spaces with bats flying right above your head.

                            Coming up to the first large open space, you’ll feel like a kid again jumping feet first into a natural pool of water to swim to the first waterfall. And then you’ll feel anxiety as you watch the guides clip in each visitor to a rappel line secured alongside the largest waterfall.

                            Climbing up, face-first into a gush of water means relying on your intuition to hike up successfully. Luckily your guide will direct you with a forceful nudge in the right direction (thank goodness for that too because once your eyes are squeezed shut I was grasping at straws trying to pull myself up) and pushing your feet into the natural gaps to hoist yourself up.

                            After this, the remaining waterfalls are much easier to climb up. Once halfway through the cave – as the other half is too far to access on one day – the group will turn around and the really fun part begins. Jumping down the waterfalls into their natural basins!

                            Each adrenaline-pumping jump comes with the possibility of leaving a piece of yourself behind… Be sure to jump in the place the guides point out so as not to hit the rocks under the water.

                            Once you’re finished jumping and sliding back down through the cave, enjoy a fresh (vegetarian-friendly) lunch prepared for you inside of the cave! Table cloth, cutlery and all. Taking all of the food and trash with you, you hike back out of the cave and through the jungle for your calm ride back through the forested orange groves.

                            The best part is the potential for awesome animal sightings- night herrings, green parrots, hawks and egrets.

                            Cave Tubing

                            Cave tubing is another tour option that you can book while in the Belizean jungle. We chose to be more adventurous and hike the cave waterfalls, but if you’re looking for a relaxing trip this is great to learn about the history and enjoy the fresh water.

                            *We booked our tours through our hotel, the Sleeping Giant Rain forest Lodge.

                            The ATM cave tour they offer is with a contracted guide, named Abel. He was fantastic! He can be booked only through your stay here.

                            The Waterfall Cave Expedition is through Caves Branch Jungle Lodge. Sleeping Giant booked it for us, and a Cave Branch vehicle picked us up. Meaning, you could book the same tour we took with them and they should be able to accommodate your pick up and drop off.

                            Hi! I’m Laura, a sustainable travel blogger, as well as freelancing online brand strategist. I share real & honest information about traveling, how to do so sustainably, and ways to earn an income while working remote.

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                            If you’re planning a trip to Belize, check out my other blog posts on the most beautiful places to visit & the best things to do in Belize

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                            Visiting the Belize Zoo

                            Visiting the Belize Zoo

                            Animal love, Central America, Destinations, Musings/Reflections

                            Visiting the Belize Zoo

                            Why it’s worth a visit (even if you don’t like zoo’s)

                            The Belize Zoo is a safe haven for orphaned, injured, or misused animals local to Belize. I’m not a fan of zoos or animal encounters, as so many contain animals in unnatural habitats, living in cement cages, who were ripped from their parents and paid for for human enjoyment. So, I make sure to do research prior to contributing any funds towards something that could potentially endanger or threaten the quality of life for an animal. With this being said, the Belize Zoo is a gem of a place for the creatures it houses.

                            The Belize Zoo started as a simple ‘backyard zoo’ to help house and protect animals that were used on film sets in the 1980’s. Today it protects animals only natural to Belize’s land in open enclosures (some of which the animals could very easily leave if they wanted to). It serves as a resource to the country as prior to the zoo existing many did not know of the species native to their country.

                            These native animals living at this zoo have come in naturally; meaning they weren’t paid for to complete a set of animals a guest might want to see. As I stated earlier, this place began on the premise that film set animals needed a refuge after being used for ‘work’ (another post for another time). Currently many of the animals are rescues of wildfires, hunting accidents/orphaned young, or injured due to loss of habitat.

                            How unique & precious are tapirs?!

                            They are very difficult to see in the world and are Belize’s national animal. To me, they look like a cross between an ant eater and a hippo.

                            While still hesitant to visit any zoo, no matter it’s rescue efforts as a cage is a cage to a wild animal, I really enjoyed how the areas that held the animals were much larger than what I’ve seen at any zoo in the United States (with the exception of the San Diego Safari Park).

                            There were also signs throughout the park educating guests not to pluck any plants, the need for these animals to remain wild and why these animals ended up at the Belize Zoo. And the staff here are caretakers, not just assigned trash pick up or queue directors.

                            If you find yourself in beautiful Belize and are able to, try to make time to contribute to the conservation efforts of the Belize Zoo with a visit. See for yourself and compare to others zoos that you have visited- if you’ve been there, what did you think? Would you agree with how they have built this place?

                            Hi! I’m Laura, a sustainable travel blogger, as well as freelancing online brand strategist. I share real & honest information about traveling, how to do so sustainably, and ways to earn an income while working remote.

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                            End Note regarding the Belize Zoo:

                            I do not endorse any zoo or animal encounters of any kind. I truly believe that animals should be kept in their natural habitat if possible.

                            Unfortunately, much of Belize land has been changing (tourism increases and buildings) that if an animal’s home is burned or destroyed their last option may be a zoo similar to Belize’s.

                            Please keep in mind that we are all entitled to our own opinions- if you disagree with mine or the words used in this post feel free to share, but in a respectful and kind manner.

                            *there is an option to pay to feed one of the jaguars; I’ll admit I had considered doing this (as jaguars are my favorite big cat) however we connected with someone who used to work at the zoo while on another tour and he told us that he didn’t agree with the direction these encounters were going — as you can now have the jaguar perform tricks (?!) While these animals are well protected and cared for, this type of ‘entertainment’ should not be an option. Pay to visit the zoo, but don’t fall for the trap of this kind of animal encounter.

                            If you’re planning a trip to Belize, check out my other blog posts on the most beautiful places to visit & the best things to do in Belize

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