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Actun Tunichil Muknal (the Cave of the Crystal Sepulchre), also known locally as ATM, is a cave near San Ignacio, Cayo District, notable as a Maya archaeological site that includes ... moreskeletons, ceramics, and stoneware. There are several areas with skeletal remains in the main chamber.
Many of the Maya artifacts and remains are completely calcified to the cave floor. The ceramics at the site are significant partly because they are marked with “kill holes”, which indicate that they were used for ceremonial purposes. One artifact, named the “Monkey Pot”, is one of just four of its type found in Central America. The Maya also modified cave formations here, in some instances to create altars for the offerings, in others to create silhouettes of faces and animals or to project a shadow image into the cave. The cave is extensively decorated with cave formations in the upper passages.
Actun Tunichil Muknal cave was first entered by the Mayas in AD 300-600. It was not until the late AD 700-900 that the Mayas went deeper into the cave to perform their ceremonies. The cave was officially opened to the public in 1998.
The cave houses various types of artifacts from ceramics and stoneware to the remains of skeletons. The Mayas consider Actun Tunichil Muknal a highly sacred location, enclosing the famous “Crystal Maiden,” who was thought to be a sacrifice victim. After decades of weathering and natural processes, the surface of the skeleton appears to be covered with a geological sanded finish, which gives the maiden a somewhat magical fairy-dust appearance.
Type of Tour/Activity: Jungle and Rainforest Adventures
Join a soul-touching experience as you get the unique opportunity to explore the sacred underworld of the Mayan with our Mayan descendant expert guide. It is a spiritual experience ... morelike no other as the sharing is done with utmost authenticity. A 2hr road journey takes you to a very secluded jungle location where you hike for approximately 20-30 minutes to the elusive ATM Cave where your guide draws the attention of your soul to the era when the Mayans traversed the Cave in search of hope. Refreshing yourself in the cool stream at the entrance of the cave is a must. You are then asked to partake in the journey of walking along the inner stream in the Cave and climbing Rocks viewing the shimmery stalagmites and stalactites as you make your way to the upper chamber where skeleton remains and potteries can be seen. You are encouraged to engage all your senses to feel the moment
Type of Tour/Activity: Jungle and Rainforest Adventures
Experience more than a cave! Imagine a world alive and imbued with sacred power divided into three domains: the starry arch of heaven; the stony middle world of the earth made to flower ... moreand bear fruits; and, the dark waters of the underworld below, Xibalba.
A short swim through the crystal blue waters will lead you into this amazing realm. Then working your way through a breakdown leads you into the main water passage, where you get to view 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 known as Xibalba. Xibalba was the fearful world beneath the face of the earth, the parallel unseen world into which kings and shamans could enter an ecstatic trance and please their gods for their benefit.
Type of Tour/Activity: Mayan Ruins and Archaeological Sites
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
(2)
Horseback at it's best in Belize! Authentic jungle experiences topped off with Belize's most beloved cave tubing adventure!
Type of Tour/Activity: Jungle and Rainforest Adventures
(1)
This tour will take you from the Maya temple to the entrance of the Mayan underworld. The adventure starts at the popular Mayan site of Xunantunich; just getting there is an adventure ... moreof its own. After touring the temples, we drive to No’och Che’ en Cave, where you will start off on an easy hike through the jungle to your starting point. As you sit back and enjoy tubing downstream, you will be floating through a series of remarkable limestone caves, each filled with fascinating discoveries of the Mayan underworld. There is also an opportunity to leave your tubes behind and go exploring cave chambers, where you will see ceramic pieces and beautiful geological formations. The adventure ends floating downstream through the jungles of Belize; back at the starting point.
Type of Tour/Activity: Mayan Ruins and Archaeological Sites
(1)
The ATM Cave is a "must do" tour experience- and it's easily accessible!! The tour starts with a 45-minute hike through the jungle in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. It is a great ... moreway to soak in the majesty of the surrounding jungle. You will cross three rivers as you wind your way through the jungle to the mouth of the cave. The tour duration is approximately 3 hours. Bring along a change of clothes as you will be completely wet by the time the tour is over. Understanding why this cave was of such sacred importance to the Mayas requires an understanding of their spirituality. In the Maya religion, the gods of agriculture, rain, and fertility were believed to reside in the underworld. It would only seem natural that the ATM Cave, with its seemingly endless pits, would be seen as a potential gateway to the underworld. By making human sacrifices within the cave, they could appeal to these important gods practically at their front door.
Guests should dress as if preparing for a hike, bringing comfortable clothes and sturdy closed-toe shoes. Bear in mind that no cameras are allowed within the cave. The prohibition of cameras prevents damage to remaining skeletons and artifacts and preserves ATM for future generations.
Type of Tour/Activity: Jungle and Rainforest Adventures
Actun Tunichil Muknal (the Cave of the Crystal Sepulchre), also known locally as ATM, is a cave in Belize, near San Ignacio, Cayo District, notable as a Maya archaeological site that ... moreincludes skeletons, ceramics, and stoneware. There are several areas of skeletal remains in the main chamber. The best-known is “The Crystal Maiden”, the skeleton of an adolescent (now thought to be a teenage boy), possibly a sacrifice victim, whose bones have been calcified to a sparkling, crystallized appearance. The ceramics at the site are significant partly because they are marked with “kill holes”, which indicate that they were used for ceremonial purposes. Many of the Maya artifacts and remains are completely calcified to the cave floor. One artifact, named the “Monkey Pot”, is one of just four of its type found in Central America. The Maya also modified cave formations here, in some instances to create altars for the offerings, in others to create silhouettes of faces and animals or to project a shadow image into the cave. The cave is extensively decorated with cave formations in the upper passages.
Type of Tour/Activity: Mayan Ruins and Archaeological Sites
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
(1)
Actun Tunichil Muknal is located in the Cayo district at the Tapir Nature Mountain Reserve. We will need to take 15 minutes to ride to the village of Teakettle, then we drive south/west ... morefor about 35 minutes. We will arrive at the parking lot of the reserve, guest will be instructed to use the restroom first and then we will provide guests with their helmets, lights, and light vest if necessary. We will hike for 35 minutes passing through three rivers in the Tapir Nature Mountain reserve after which we will arrive at the entrance of the cave. Our knowledgeable guide will provide you will an introduction to the cave. We enter the cave for a three hours tour. We will have Belizean lunch, rum punch, desserts, sodas, and water at the end of the tour. All guest change and we return.
Type of Tour/Activity: Mayan Ruins and Archaeological Sites
Departs From: Belmopan City
(6)
Into the Heart of Belize: The ATM Cave Experience Plunge in on a transformative journey in the vibrant rainforest of Belize, where the symphony of tropical birds and the rustle of ... morehidden wonders beckon you to explore. A 35-45 minute hike through the lush jungle unfolds as a promise of self-discovery, with each step forward a testament to your inner strength. As you ford three rivers, the invigorating currents energize your spirit, urging you to push beyond your limits.
The cave entrance awaits, a majestic gateway to the unknown, cloaked in vines and shadows. To enter, you must swim across a pool of crystal-clear water, its refreshing chill awakening your senses. As you slip beneath the stone archway, the outside world fades, replaced by the soothing echo of dripping water and the radiant glow of your headlamp against ancient rock. Inside, the cave reveals its secrets gradually, like a mentor guiding you towards hidden truths. For 25-30 minutes, you wade through an underground river, its shimmering surface reflecting the beauty within. The walls glimmer with mineral deposits, and every turn feels like a step closer to unlocking your full potential. The path grows more challenging, yet with each obstacle, you rise to the occasion.
You climb a five-foot boulder, scramble along a narrow ledge, and squeeze through tight passages until suddenly the space opens into a vast ceremonial chamber. Here, the whispers of the past empower you to forge your own path. Scattered across the floor are Maya pottery and ritual artifacts, preserved where they were left centuries ago, a testament to the power of human resilience. And then comes the moment that defines the journey. In a smaller chamber, illuminated by the soft glow of your light, lies the Crystal Maiden. Her skeleton, calcified by centuries of mineral-rich water, shines like a beacon of hope, every bone accounted for, fused forever into the cave floor—a poignant reminder of the transformative power of sacrifice and reverence.
This is no ordinary adventure. It is a testament to your inner strength, a passage through water, stone, and history. It demands courage and perseverance, yet rewards you with sights that will inspire a lifetime of growth and exploration. To walk the halls of the ATM Cave is to tap into the infinite potential within, to touch the edge of the unknown, and to live an adventure that will leave you forever changed.
Type of Tour/Activity: Mayan Ruins and Archaeological Sites
Group Discounts
Getting There: Your adventure begins at 8:00 AM with a 45-minute drive on the George Price Highway with another 30 minutes off-road to the parking lot. ... more
From the parking lot, we have a 45 minutes jungle hike toward the cave entrance, crossing a knee-deep river 3 times along the way- enjoy the scenery.
At the cave entrance:
Upon reaching the mouth of the ATM cave, your guide briefs you on the cave’s historical facts while you gear up with helmets and headlamps. The hike inside the cave entails a very short swim of about 30 feet across at the very entrance of the cave. For non-swimmers, there is a bypass around the corner of the cave’s entrance through which you are assisted by the guide. For the rest of the cave length, it’s mostly wading through the water no deeper than chest height (at average height) at most. Admire the myriad cave formations along the way until reaching the hidden dry chamber where amazement awaits you.
In the main chamber:
To get to the main chamber, you'll climb over some rocks providing a staircase to the chamber. Once in the chamber, you’ll be asked by your guide to take off your shoes and walk with only your socks on your feet. Here your guide explains the Maya rituals while you awe at the magnificence of this ancient tomb and its grandeur.
You’ll be amazed by all the Mayan artifacts and remains freely scattered throughout the cave as your guide explains how they got there and what lead to this shocking massacre in such a remote location. Walking farther into the cave, we’ll reach a higher but smaller chamber accessible only through the use of a man-made ladder. This is where the prized, intact, crystalized skeletal remains of the Crystal Maiden lay. Take your time, to sink in the reality of what lies before you.
Departure:
After being saturated to capacity with astonishment, we make our way back out of the chambers and the cave. (the way back out always seems so much shorter than the way in). We then hike back onto the parking lot, where the guide will provide you with your lunch as you discuss the reality of what you’ve just witnessed inside. You may choose to change into your dry clothes before or after lunch (your choice). After lunch, we board our vehicle and head back to San Ignacio arriving around 3:30- 4:00 PM.
Type of Tour/Activity: Mayan Ruins and Archaeological Sites
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
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