My advice: 1) Do the ATM, trust the hype/love the experience 2)Choose MayaWalk. Guides are the best around & they place a premium on safety (which is what you want in a dark watery cave). This tour company really impressed me.
– Tripadvisor review
My advice: 1) Do the ATM, trust the hype/love the experience 2)Choose MayaWalk. Guides are the best around & they place a premium on safety (which is what you want in a dark watery cave). This tour company really impressed me.
– Tripadvisor review
Belize Tour Guides
MEET OUR TEAM
Our main operations office organizes all of our tours and scheduling and is a tourist information and sales office. We are located in the historic district of Cayo in downtown San Ignacio, on Burns Avenue, a busy pedestrian street lined with bars, cafes, restaurants and shops. As soon as you enter our doors you will feel like part of our family, as we share our amazing country and its hidden spots with you.
Aaron Juan, Guide. As the owner of MayaWalk Tours, Aaron Juan is not only an experienced professional in the hospitality, service, and tourism industries, but also our Senior Tour Guide, with over 15 years of guiding under his belt. Born and raised in San Ignacio, Aaron has broadened his horizons through travel and education, a journey which has taken him near and far, including to the States and the Galapagos Islands. With a background in marketing and business through the San Francisco Small Business Association, Aaron aims to maintain the highest standards of safety and customer satisfaction.
After graduating from Belmopan Comprehensive High School, Aaron embarked on a career in eco-tourism, being one of the first guides in the country to be licensed through the Belize Tourism Board to lead trips to the renowned ATM Cave. His passion for the outdoors and nature set him down a path of discovery with a specialization in speleology. He was involved in cave exploration with the Belize Valley Archaeological Project through the University of New Hampshire. He has devoted himself to building MayaWalk as a respectable and established Tour Operator with all the proper licensing, insurance and certifications.
Aaron is a member of the National Speleological Society, Belize Audubon Society and the Red Cross. He is certified in Cave Rescue, Cave conservation, Rapid Water Rescue, Extensive First Aid, Wilderness Rescue and archaeology of Ancient Maya and Egyptian cultures. Recently, Aaron established the Cayo Cave Guide Association, bringing together local cave guides to do capacity building, training and education for the cave guides. Along with his staff, Aaron is dedicated to making your Belize adventure vacation a memory of a lifetime!
Elijah Juan, Marketing Assistant and Front Desk. Elijah, is the youngest in the Juan family to be involved in the tour business. Elijah has grown up in and around the family business since childhood. He currently lives and studies in downtown San Ignacio, and is completing his Associates Degree in Biology at Sacred Heart College. Elijah enjoys meeting visitors and sharing the family love of nature and the environment. So far, his most memorable experience with his work is taking an ATM overnight adventure with his father, Aaron. Elijah has first-hand knowledge of all the sites and is more than happy to help you book your tour at the front desk.
Andrew Haylock, Office Manager and Front Desk. Andrew is an employee who has been with us since our origins 15 years ago. Andrew was born and raised in San Ignacio and also spent some time in Los Angeles. His educational background is in Business and Tourism. Andrew currently lives near Cahal Pech, the ancient palatial home of an elite Mayan family, the original inhabitants of the area now known as the Town of San Ignacio. Andrew is very outgoing, friendly, and knowledgeable. Andrew is a very dedicated manager and you will find him in the office from early in the morning until late in the evening, making sure that all the tours are booked and organized properly. Andrew enjoys meeting people from around the world and sharing his love of Belize and his hometown with visitors.
Hugh Lamb, Guide. Hugh is originally from San Ignacio, specializing in the ATM Cave, with over 16 years of experience, he has been guiding specialized ATM tours since 2004. Prior to that Hugh was a guide at major archaeological sites around the country. He holds a Certificate in Advanced Maya Civilization by Dr. Jaime Awe, the Chief of the Department of Archaeology, accredited by the Belize Tourism Board. He is also certified in a course on Xunantunich, by Dr. Richard Levantal from UCLA. He has worked for 5 star resorts such as Blancaneux and Chaa Creek and has recently joined our team at MayaWalk. We are more than happy to welcome him aboard!
Pedro Chuc, Guide. Pedro has been working with MayaWalk for the past three years. He is an experienced guide who specializes in Mayan archaeological sites, particularly Caracol. Pedro is of Maya descent from the Toledo District from the village of San Pedro Columbia. This is the most traditional part of the country where the Maya traditions and Kechi dialect are still alive. Pedro enjoys meeting people from around the world and sharing his love of his culture and home country with our guests.
Nazim Juan, Director.
Aaron Juan
As the owner of MayaWalk Tours, Aaron Juan is not only an experienced professional in the hospitality, service, and tourism industries but also our Senior Tour Guide, with over 25 years of guiding under his belt. Born and raised in San Ignacio, Aaron has broadened his horizons through travel and education. This journey has taken him near and far, including to the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, and the Galapagos Islands. With a background in marketing and business through the San Francisco Small Business Association and a degree in Tourism Management, Aaron aims to maintain the highest standards of safety and customer satisfaction.
At a young age, Aaron embarked on a career in eco-tourism, being one of the first guides in the country to be licensed through the Belize Tourism Board to lead trips to the renowned ATM Cave. His passion for the outdoors and nature led him down a path of discovery with a specialization in speleology. He was involved in cave exploration with the Belize Valley Archaeological Project through the University of New Hampshire. He has devoted himself to building MayaWalk Tours as a respectable and established Tour Operator with all the proper licensing, insurance, and certifications. Along with his staff, Aaron is dedicated to making your Belize adventure vacation a memory of a lifetime!
Aaron is a member of the National Speleological Society, the Belize Audubon Society, and the Red Cross. He is also the Founder and Executive Director of Belize Karst Habitat Conservation, a non-governmental organization that is currently co-Managing the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve where the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave is located. In addition, Aaron is certified in Cave Rescue, Cave conservation, Rapid Water Rescue, Extensive First Aid, Wilderness Rescue, and archaeology of Ancient Maya and Egyptian cultures. Recently, Aaron established the Cayo Cave Guide Association, bringing together local cave guides to do capacity building, training, and education. His passion lies beyond guiding and cave exploration as his fondness for all animals led to a keen interest in birding and photography. Meet Aaron Juan, the epitome of MayaWalk Tours!
Anselmo Galicia
Anselmo Galicia is a friendly and passionate guide who enjoys sharing the rich history and culture of the Mayan Civilization while marketing his beautiful country of Belize. Being the self-motivated, determined, and passionate young man that he is, he has dedicated his energy and time to tour guiding and farming. He enjoys reading and bird-watching during his spare time. Anselmo’s taste for adventure and new experiences has led him to huge cities like London, France, Togo, Ghana, and West Africa. Once you’ve met Anselmo, you will understand why he is an integral part of the MayaWalk Team.
Anselmo is one of our lead guides for Caracol, Cave Tubing, Barton Creek, and many more.
Eric Manzanero
Hailing from the westernmost town of Belize, meet Eric Manzanero from Benque Viejo Town. Eric began his career in tourism over sixteen years ago guiding regular tours to the Mayan temples and caves. His zeal for expanding new horizons led him to be one of the 23 active ATM guides through the length and breadth of Belize and as a result has found his ‘happy place. We are ecstatic to have him on board! When Eric is not busy getting wet or climbing rocks, he takes delight in watching football and being outdoors with friends and family barbecuing with an ice cold Belikin Beer. We are elated that Eric is a part of the Mayawalk Team. His attention to guest safety and satisfaction is always mentioned.
Juan Carlos Orellano
Juan Carlos, also known as JC, or two Carlos as he refers to himself on occasion, has been at Mayawalk for over 5 years. Juan Carlos is lighthearted and very knowledgeable. He is always putting a smile on the face of his peers and his guests. As one of the 23 active ATM guides in Belize, Juan Carlos has had numerous advanced training in Maya Civilizations, Wilderness First Aid and Cave Rescue Training. His sense of humor and willingness to extend help at all times is commendable. We are glad to introduce a very passionate Tour guide at Mayawalk Tours who also does a great Spanish Radio host impression. You will see what we mean after you go on a tour with Juan Carlos.
Karim August
Karim has been at Mayawalk Tours for four years. As one of our drivers, he is thoughtful, helpful, and knowledgeable in Belizean History. Karim is always providing information for his guests. His cautious driving enhances safety for his guests and comfort as well. Karim is great at anticipating the needs of his guests. On his days off, Karim enjoys quality time with his friends and family. Karim is committed to providing the most efficient service to his guests.