Location: San Ignacio, Cayo Region Map
Actun Tunichil Muknal cave or simply ATM cave (as it is widely known in Belize) is an underground system used by the Mayans for sacrifices and offerings to the gods of the underworld. Its name translates as "Cave of the Stone Sepulcher". The cave is a fairly recent discovery. Actun Tunichil Muknal cave was re- discovered in 1992.
Most of items inside Actun Tunichil Muknal cave and bones date back to pre-classical Mayan period which lasted from about 700 to 900 AD. Artifacts and human bones are left there they were dropped centuries ago. It is a fun trip for those who like to hike, cross rivers and explore remote caves. However keep in mind that only few companies (Eva's, Katun Ahaw Tours, Mayatour and Pacz Tours) operate trips to Actun Tunichil Muknal cave and groups cannot exceed more than ten people. It is done for the purposes of safe keeping the artifacts and human remains. So it might be wiser to travel to Belize in the off season than the tourist crowds are low and you have better chances of visiting this destination. Actun Tunichil Muknal is closed during the wet season that lasts from late June to August.
The Belize Tourism Board grants a limited number of groups into a cave with a limited number of tourists, usually 8- 10 people. Each group is accompanied by a guide. You probably won’t be able to join the group if you decide to show up at the entrance. The easiest way to arrange a trip is through your hotel management.
Actun Tunichil Muknal cave does not have roads close by thus you have to hike 45- 60 minutes into a jungle, cross three shallow rivers and finally make to the entrance of the cave. It would be wise to take anti- histamines with you to prevent an allergic reaction that can be triggered by plants, ants, termites and other living creatures that exist in the rich biosphere around Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave. Anti- histamine containing drugs can prevent adverse reactions of hiking in the jungle. These are over the counter drugs and don't require a prescription. Choose the type that doesn't cause drowsiness.
Once you get to the entrance of Actun Tunichil Muknal cave here again you have to make your way through a river. For the next half a mile you have to swim, hike and wade to get to the artifacts. You might encounter a couple of scary looking cave crabs and cave spiders, but they won’t move or attack you. Please do not bother them either. Many species you will see in the cave and around it are rare and often endemic, found only in this geographical location.
Once you are deep inside the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave you might be told to proceed barefoot through a cave to avoid extra moisture. The remains of 14 people are found in the cave. Execution tools lay near each victim. Besides pottery was left near bodies with offerings. “Kill Holes” were made to prevent stealing from a cave since the practice would make the object unusable. Sacrifices were done over a long period of time that it is logical to assume that taking human lives for religious purposes for the Mayans in the region was a rare and extraordinary measure to please gods. The most famous skeleton is that of “The Crystal Maiden” in the Main Chamber. It belongs to a teenage girl who was killed in the cave. Her body was covered with minerals that enveloped the bones and preserved them keeping the shape. The Belize Tourism Board currently works to demarcate safe areas around human bones and artifacts.
Finally in the depth of the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave there a lot of stalagmites, natural formations of minerals that grow from the bottom up. Ancient Mayans altered stalagmites in a way that shadows from them would look like human figures. In the claustrophobic, dark and moist caves then Mayans performed the rituals in the light of their torches it produced quite an effect. You might ask your guide to shine a light at the right angle otherwise you can miss them. To get out of the cave you have to repeat the same trip backward finally emerging into the sunlight.
Although the cave is relatively close to San
Ignacio, the only road leading out of the town to the site is a
bumpy and rural road that crosses a part of the Mopan River. In any
case, a guide is required in order to have access to the caves, so
taking a package tour with one of the licensed tour companies in San
Ignacio would be the best option. Reputable tour companies offering
the Actun Tunichil Muknal tour include:
Katun Ahaw Tours,
Mayatour,
Pacz Tours and KaWiil Tours,
each only several steps from the others in the heart of San Ignacio.
There are also US tour operators who tour the ATM cave. These
companies work with local, licensed guides:
Adventure Life,
Intrepid and Wildland
Adventures. During Belize's wet season (late June-August), the cave
may be flooded and unavailable to travellers.
The cave is
located in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. To reach the cave,
requires an easy 45-minute hike into the jungle. The entrance to the
cave is shaped like an hour glass and is flooded with water.
Travelers need to be prepared to get wet, and remain relatively wet
to damp during their time in the cave. The cave system consists of a
series of chambers, ending at "The Cathedral" where sacrificial
ceremonies once took place. Here 14 skeletal remains have been
found, and numerous examples of ancient Mayan pottery remain. It
takes roughly 1 1/2 to 2 hours to reach "The Cathedral," so
travellers should be prepared to be in the cave for 4 to 6 hours.
Quick-dry clothing is recommended, as most guides will insist on
shorts and a shirt, as a sign of respect. This is a very sacred
site. Sandals are not allowed in ATM for safety reasons. Travelers
must remove their shoes, and must wear socks while in "The
Cathedral" to protect the site from oils on the skin. Guides
typically carry a dry pack; however, personal items such as cameras
are no longer permitted in the cave due to damage caused by a
tourist dropping a digital camera on one of the artifacts. In some
locations, the only source of light is from helmets (required for
entrance) and/or flashlights. Guides should supply these items.