Actun Tunichil Muknal

Actun Tunichil Muknal is a mysterious and beautiful portal to the ancient Maya and their traditions, ceremonies and spirituality. This cave system served as a ceremonial site where the Maya performed sacrifices and other ceremonies as they dealt with extreme and harsh conditions in times of drought. Explore this lush area surrounded by beautiful jungles, and the cave entrance is traversed by swimming across a crystal clear spring fed pool. Spend 3 hours in the cave after hiking in through the rain forest. Here you will see stunning artifacts, altars and the crystallized skeletons of the sacrificed girl, The Crystal Maiden.

Explore the hidden chambers and crystalline waters of the Mayan underworld at Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM), featured in National Geographic! Swim into the mysterious cave, which the ancient Mayas considered to be a portal to the underworld, known as Xibalba. This day trip from San Ignacio includes a 1.5-hour round-trip hike in Tapir Nature Reserve and lunch at the cave entrance. Climb, crawl, swim and play in the water passage as you enter the caverns, and delight in the refreshing waters of the Roaring River before and after your spelunking adventure.

locals and trained Tour guides conduct the tour and share their local knowledge. experience authentic Belizean Lunch while being on a small group. enjoy the ride on Air-condition vehicle.

Taking a journey into the Mayan underworld at Actun Tunichil Muknal, or the “Cave of the Stone Sepulchre”, will be one of the most enlightening, epic, and unique experiences of your life! Recently deemed the #1 Sacred Cave destination in the world by National Geographic, the ATM cave is not only beautiful geologically, with its crystalline stalactites and stalagmites, but also historically, as is a natural museum of ancient Mayan artifacts, as well as a sacred burial place. This is the final resting place of the “Crystal Maiden”, an ancient Mayan ceremonial victim.

Let our guides take you back in time, explore the impressive underworld of the ATM Cave and enjoy one of the most enlightening experiences of your life. When you venture into the hour glass shaped entrance you will be welcomed by clear blue waters from the perennial stream that flows throughout the cave. Along the way you will see ancient tools, pots and pieces and learn the history of the Mayan Civilization. As you travel deeper into the cave you will meet sacred burials and the Crystal Maiden complete and intact female remains covered in sparkling mineral deposits. Her death is sacrificial ritual for agricultural fertility.

Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) is one of the most popular and impressive Maya ceremonial caves ever found. ATM was in use during the early classic period, which dates to around 300-600AD. The caving part of the tour, takes you through a subterranean river, over (and under) more than a few rocks and into the main chamber. The ATM Cave is a wet cave – you swim into the mouth and then wade through ankle to chest high water before climbing to a intricate passageways of dry chambers which lead to the cathedral-like main hall, a towering chamber 350 metres in length and 50mteres wide and filled with artefacts and sacrificial remains. After this another climb takes you to the stone chamber where the Crystal Maiden lies, this is the skeleton of a teenage girl who was sacrificed and left in the cave. Over thousands of years her remains have been covered by a layer of diamond like limestone. The Mayas sacrificed humans in the hopes of appeasing the gods and bringing fertility to the land.

This is a unique ceremonial cave exploration tour, an experience of a lifetime! You get to immerse into this impressive cave system once used by the ancient Maya to perform sacrificial rituals. You will be accompanied by a professionally trained, licensed tour guide. To access this ceremonial site you swim, follow underground tunnels, passageways and burial chambers decorated with stalactites, stalagmites, and ancient clay pottery. This tour begins at 8:00am and concludes around 3:00pm.

Classed as National Geographic's "Number one sacred cave in the world;" this cave was only discovered in 1989. However, it has quickly grew a name for itself as one of the top destinations in the world for its rich Mayan culture and heritage. You can look forward to entering what is now called "The Upper Cavern" which is an elevated area inside the cave, that opens more than 300 yards and is at least 2 stories high. This was the main area that was used during ancient Mayan rituals; hence the reason you can look forward to seeing 4 skeletal remains, countless pottery and stone tools and even Mayan hieroglyphs which date back to 700-900 A.D. This excursion is for persons who aren't afraid of a challenge and would like to experience a once in a lifetime experience. Truly a top class World Heritage Site.

EXPERIENCE BELIZE's MAYAN ADVENTURE WITH Cave Tubing R US 100% dedicated to providing fun safe personable Adventure Tours. The ATM caves is know for the visible remains of skeletons, ceramics, and stoneware in several areas of the cave systems main chamber. This adventures takes us to the Cayo District approx. 2 hours drive from Belize City. Belize's Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) named #1 “Sacred Places of a Lifetime” Cave by The National Geographic! Enter into the “place of fear” if you dare! Wade through cool mountain water to the mouth of the Mayan underworld, Xibalba! Looming before you is the hourglass shaped mouth of the cave. Experienced guide and the cave system of a lifetime! You are in the capable hands of a knowledgeable tour guide whom is informative and is to ensure you have the best tour of your life 🙂 As you travel the countryside and learn about our history, our way of life coated with a taste of local dishes and fresh produce we hope to enrich your smile.

What better way to experience this unique cave than through the eyes of a local and licensed guide? Explore the past and learn the importance caves played in the lives of the Mayas. Imagine a world alive and imbued with sacred power divided into three domains: the starry arch of heaven; the stony middle world of earth made to flower and bear fruits; and, the dark waters of the underworld below; Xibalba. A short swim through the crystal blue water leads you into this amazing realm.  Then working your way through a breakdown leads you into the main water passage, where you get to enjoy amazing geological formations like sparkling stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones.  This hidden chamber promises to reveal ancient secrets and geological processes that have helped to shape the Mayan Underworld. We are referring back to the time when our ancestors believed that only priests could have ventured in and communicated with their gods or ancestors through rituals and ceremonies. 

Actun Tunichil Muknal is known as the ATM Cave is one of Belize most sought after Adventure in our country. The tour is not just an adventure but one of the most interactive Maya history Cave Adventure available.

The ATM Cave is one of the most historical sights in the world. It is an incredibly beautiful underground world filled with glittering stalactites and stalagmites.

Actun Tunichil Muknal is one of Belize's most sought-after Adventures in our country. The tour is not just an adventure but one of the most interactive Maya history Cave adventures available.

Actun Tunichil Muknal (Cave of the Stone Sepulchre) dubbed by National Geography as the top sacred cave to explore in the world; should be on your bucket list! Your journey starts from La Isla Bonita San Pedro by sea on San Pedro Belize Express water ferry or by air on Maya Island Air; the choice is yours. Our guides will meet you upon mainland arrival in Belize City. From here, it’s a 90-minute drive in air-conditioned comfort until your arrival at the ranger outpost. Here, our guides will provide you with a helmet, headlamp, and life jacket if needed. When geared up, it’s now time to hike, wade and swim the sacrificial Mayan underworld of the ATM. There’s 3 river crossing and a 30-minute hike, which will bring you to an hourglass entrance. From here, the cave system spans approximately 3 miles with stalactites, stalagmites, jarring boulders and fresh water streams from ankle to waist deep. When in the cave its time for exploration!!!

Actun Tunichil Muknal (Cave of the Stone Sepulchre) dubbed by National Geography as the top sacred cave to explore in the world; should be on your bucket list! Your journey starts from San Ignacio in air-conditioned comfort with a 45-minute drive until your arrival at the ranger outpost. Here, our guides will provide you with a helmet, headlamp, and life jacket if needed. When geared up, it’s now time to hike, wade and swim the sacrificial Mayan underworld of the ATM. There’s 3 river crossing and a 30-minute hike, which will bring you to an hourglass entrance. From here, the cave system spans approximately 3 miles with stalactites, stalagmites, jarring boulders and fresh water streams from ankle to waist deep.The cavern ends with the main chamber where the calcified to sparkling crystalized remains of the “Crystal Maiden” lays, believed to be the skeleton frame of a young woman who was sacrificed in a bloodletting ceremony to the “gods”.

Actun Tunichil Muknal (Cave of the Stone Sepulcher) dubbed by National Geography as the top sacred cave to explore in the world; should be on your bucket list! Here, our guides will provide you with a helmet, headlamp, and life jacket if needed. When geared up, it’s now time to hike, wade and swim the sacrificial Mayan underworld of the ATM. There’s 3 river crossing and a 30-minute hike, which will bring you to an hourglass entrance. From here, the cave system spans approximately 3 miles with stalactites, stalagmites, jarring boulders and freshwater streams from ankle to waist deep. Walking bare feet, deeper into the underground surrender will unearth untainted Mayan history dating back 1-1000 AD. Pottery, ranging from intact to completely shattered; tools, ceremonial items, and the skeletal remains of 14 bodies on display, from finger bones to skulls, among other skeletal remains, fused to the bare ground within a few feet steps.

Your journey starts from the island (Caye Caulker) by sea on San Pedro Belize Express water ferry or by air on Maya Island Air; the choice is yours. . Our guides will meet you upon mainland arrival in Belize City. From here, it’s a 90-minute drive in air-conditioned comfort until your arrival at the ranger outpost. Here, our guides will provide you with a helmet, headlamp, and life jacket if needed. When geared up, it’s now time to hike, wade and swim the sacrificial Mayan underworld of the ATM. There’s 3 river crossing and a 30-minute hike, which will bring you to an hourglass entrance. From here, the cave system spans approximately 3 miles with stalactites, stalagmites, jarring boulders and fresh water streams from ankle to waist deep. The cavern ends with the main chamber where the calcified to sparkling crystallized remains of the “Crystal Maiden” lays, believed to be the skeleton frame of a young woman who was sacrificed in a bloodletting ceremony to the “gods”.

This tour consists of guided visits to a Cave and a Maya Temple. All in one full day of adventure. We visit Actunich Tunich Muknal Cave followed by the Maya Temple of Xunantunich. This combo tour begins at 8:00am and concludes around 5:00pm.

You absolutely will not find another tour out there as packed with activities and attractions as this one, provided by CharlieTheTraveler. You will also not find another tour out there that offers it all "FIRST CLASS," yet for a relatively low price. We have thousands of travelers taking this specific tour every year-and that's because no competitor can beat us on quality, price and substance. Below are just some examples of what you will see and do on this tour: ► Great Blue Hole Flight-Seeing Tour ► Swimming with Sharks & Sting Rays ► Snorkeling in the World’s Second Largest Barrier Reef ► Visiting Impressive Archaeological Sites ► Coming in Contact with Black Howler Monkeys ► Seeing a Wildlife Sanctuary ► Tubing & Canoeing Inside Caves ► And Much Much More…

ATM is the crown jewel of all of Belize’s archaeological treasure. This is one of the most unforgettable and adventurous underground tours you can make in Belize. The guided trip into ATM takes you deep into the underworld that the ancient Maya knew as Xibalba. We’ll start with a 2 hours drive to the village of Teakettle. From there, we’ll turn off into the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve and pass through mahogany groves and orchards. The tour requires climbing and swimming as well as crawling through small spaces. The cave is extensively decorated with cave formations in the upper passages, dry chambers which lead to the cathedral-like main hall, a towering chamber 350 meters in length and 50 meters wide and filled with artifacts and sacrificial remains. Visitors remove shoes and explore the cave in socks only, to protect the artifacts on the cave floor. After this, another climb takes you to the stone sepulchre (after which the cave is named) where the Crystal Maiden lies.