Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM Caves)

Category
Attraction
Type of Attraction
Archaeological Site, Cave
District/Region
Cayo

Description
Highlights
  • Cave
  • Maya History
  • Skeletons - Maya Sacrifice
  • Ceramics & Stoneware
About Location
The Actun Tunichil Muknal, also known as the ATM cave, is an ancient Maya archaeological site that is one of the most popular Mayan burial sites in Western Belize. The ATM cave is nestled in Belize's lush rainforest in the Cayo District. Visit the ATM cave and learn the history of this magnificent cave and the mysteries of the Mayan underworld.

You can't afford to miss this Indiana Jones style adventure. Tours usually leave early in the morning, before 8am. The hike from the starting point to the cave entrance is intense, with three stream crossings and passes through the Tapir Mountain Nature reserve. The hike through the lower part of the caves lasts about 45 minutes. Take note that in the upper chambers of the cave, visitors are required to take off their shoes to prevent damage to the artifacts, plus you’ll need to swim through deep water to enter the cave and wade through more water both in side and outside of the cave. You’ll get to see the crystal maiden skeleton, pottery, and other ancient artifacts. No photography is allowed by order of the Department of Archaeology, but the mental movies will be incredibly worth it.

 
4 reviews   0 comments
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(5.0 of 5)
Scenic
(5.0 of 5)
Family Friendly
(3.3 of 5)
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(5.0 of 5)
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Absolute must do!
Guide was very knowledgeable and super nice and friendly and made trip extra fun! The cave itself is an absolute must, once in a lifetime thing to do. It gets narrow at times and there's some climbing to do but as an overweight person with no experience in climbing and actually scared of heights, managed to do the whole tour and absolutely loved it. You just need to have an open mind!
Overall
Scenic
Family Friendly
Interesting
3
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Amazing
Beyond every expectation Not for the faint of heart. Need to be brave but I had full confidence in the guide. I still think of those poor children recently trapped in a cave and their rescue. Stone formations spectacular. Children must be at least 40” tall. Must be able to swim. Very tight spaces. (I’m surprised they don’t have you sign a liability waiver. Thank god a few countries don’t have such ... more shark lawyers as in USA). I would think in the USA they would never allow this. must be able to rock climb one segment. Adventuresome. Fully worth it.
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Amazing guide!
We were so blessed to have Basilio as our guide. He was unbelievably knowledgeable, thoughtful, and thorough. The experience was incredible. It is physically taxing and I noticed some people in other groups have a pretty rough time. So know you may have to push your limits a bit but it’s worth it to experience the history and nature!
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An incredible experience
Our visit to ATM was one of our trip highlights. The tour was quite an adventure, crossing rivers, swimming into the cave and climbing through narrow passageways. But what made the trip was our tour guide, Basilio, who was topnotch. Love a guide who not only knows a great deal of the subject matter, but clearly has a passion for what they are doing. Highly recommend.
Overall
Scenic
Family Friendly
Interesting
3
12