The Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave is one of Belize’s most famous and sacred sites. Inside, you’ll find ancient Maya artifacts, pottery, and even human skeletal remains, including the famous Crystal Maiden. The journey includes hiking, swimming, and navigating through the cave’s mystical passages.
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Podcast
In this episode, ATM specialist Mr. Elias Cambranes from Katun Ahau Tours takes us on an amazing mind-blowing virtual tour of the ATM Cave in Western Belize. The ATM Cave is one of ... morethe experiences in Belize that you must have on your bucket list. The ATM cave is one of Belize's most stunning attractions and a visit will most certainly change your life. Until you visit in person, join us on this virtual tour with Elias and mark your calendars for your next trip to Belize and the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave.
Guest Name:
Elias Cambranes
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Recommended
Explore the ATM Cave from San Pedro
Embark on a thrilling day trip from San Pedro to explore the world's most sacred cave, the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave. This all-inclusive ... moretour includes transportation, entrance fees, professional guide, and lunch. Navigate through underground chambers, discover ancient Mayan artifacts, and witness the awe-inspiring Crystal Maiden. Limited spots available, book your unforgettable adventure today!
Your All-Inclusive ATM Cave Tour Includes:
All-inclusive ATM tour from San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Includes all transportation, entrance fees, equipment, and lunch (meal preferences can be arranged).
Departure Time from the island is 7 AM by Plane or 6 AM by Boat.
Your pick-up in Belize City is scheduled for 8 AM sharp - so it is critical that you board the flight or boat on time!
Your tour will be with a certified gold-standard tour operator, with an ATM-licensed guide.
Groups are limited to 8 per guide, and there is a daily cap of 125 visitors per day.
You can add local transportation to/from your hotel in San Pedro for an additional fee.
The ATM Cave in Belize
The Belize Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave is a wet cave, where you swim into the entrance and then trek through ankle to chest-high water before climbing to a dry chamber that leads to the cathedral or main hall. This towering chamber is 350 meters in length and 50 meters wide and is filled with artifacts and the skeletal remains of 14 bodies, about half of them children. All of the skeletal remains are male except one completely intact female skeleton covered in sparkling mineral deposits, the Crystal Maiden. Other artifacts include large pots and jars, flute-like instruments, and ground stones used for grinding corn and grains, suggesting agricultural rituals.
ATM Cave is considered the best Belize cave to explore and is declared the world's most sacred cave by National Geographic. It is an extraordinary and rare opportunity to see ancient Maya ceremonial sites and altars as they were thousands of years ago, virtually untouched.
Booking and Cancellation Policy
Our tours are refundable (minus a small service fee) up to 24 hours before departure. Cancellations within 24 hours are non-refundable; however, rescheduling is possible if contacted in advance.
Additional Notes:
1. We offer local transportation to/from your hotel in San Pedro for an additional fee.
2. The ATM Cave is a physically demanding experience with some swimming involved. Please ensure you are in good physical condition before booking.
Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience! Book your ATM Cave Tour from San Pedro today!
Type of Tour/Activity:
Jungle and Rainforest Adventures
Departs From:
San Pedro (Ambergris Caye)
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Most Popular
Discovered in 1989, this cave is a full five kilometers deep. Taking a journey into the Mayan underworld at Actun Tunichil Muknal, or the “Cave of the Stone Sepulchre”, ... morewill be one of the most enlightening, and unique experiences of your life. You will venture into the heart of the Cave with a licensed, experienced tour guide. This cave is not only geologically beautiful with its crystalline stalactites and stalagmites but also historically as it is a natural museum of ancient Mayan artifacts and a sacred offering place for the “Crystal Maiden”. Time spent inside the cave is 2 ½ to 3 hrs. Get an in-depth look at Belize’s Mayan culture.
Inside the dry zone where the artifacts and bones are located, all persons need to remove all shoes and walk-in socks to reduce damage. To see the Crystal Maiden you need to ascend a 13 ft ladder to reach the area known as the sepulcher.
Type of Tour/Activity:
Mayan Ruins and Archaeological Sites
Departs From:
San Ignacio Town
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Recommended
Welcome to the gateway of the Mayan Underworld. Actun Tunichil Muknal (cave of the stone sepulchre) is commonly referred to as ATM Cave. Located near San Ignacio, Cayo District, it ... moreis one of the most impressive Maya ceremonial caves containing rare bloodletting altars used in sacrifices by Maya royalty, and where calcified skeletons, ceramics, and stoneware have been found. The best known as “The Crystal Maiden”, the intact skeleton of a teenage girl, whose bones have been calcified over the years to a sparkling crystallized appearance
The hike to the cave entrance through the lush Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve requires visitors to swim to the mouth of the cave and then wade through ankle to chest high water and once inside the magnificent cave, the exploration begins. 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, a labyrinth of 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. Photography is now disallowed inside the cave unless special permits are obtained.
This is an extraordinary Belize adventure and a rare opportunity to see ancient Maya ceremonial sites and altars as they were and virtually untouched for centuries. A visit to this site is truly profound and unforgettable. After this memorable adventure, we hike back to our vehicles and sit to enjoy a local lunch before heading back to San Ignacio.
Type of Tour/Activity:
Mayan Ruins and Archaeological Sites
Departs From:
San Ignacio Town