Explore ATM Caves

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

10 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

The Actun Tunichil Mucnal Cave has been classified as one of the top ten sacred caves in the world. Getting there is an experience of its own. It entails a 35-minute hike under the canopy of the trees crossing the same river three times. The first crossing is approximately 5ft deep and the other two are under a foot deep. Upon arrival at the Entrance of the cave, equipment is checked and lights are turned on. It's 500 mts treading through water and going stalagtights, under stalagmites and through some cool formations.

The second part is going up some rocks to get up a ledge on a second level. The Sacred Chamber is where all the ceramic and human remains are found. Your guide shares information about the different ceremonial spaces within the cave until you get to the main highlight which is the Cristal Maiden. A full-body skeleton completely calcified to the ground, evidence of human sacrifices that were practised inside the cave.

Additional Info

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

San Ignacio

6:45am We Pick Up at hotels and stop downtown for other guests. 7:00am Depart from Coffee de Los Mayas Coffee Shop on Burns Ave, downtown San Ignacio to Teakettle Village, 45 minute drive.

5 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Teakettle

The vehicle will make a quick stop at a small supermarket so you can buy snacks or water. This is also the start of the 30-minute Dirt bumpy road to the Parking Lot of the archaeological reserve. Along the drive through the valley towards the cave you will pass the village of Arizona and then some farm land - Corn plantations on the flat areas. As you get closer the cave, you start seeing some mounds that stand out from within the fields. We know now they are ancient Maya structures that have never been excavated. This is evidence that people lived in this area hundreds of years ago, cultivated corn and probably the ones that used the caves. Upon arrival to the parking lot, you will have time to change into proper clothing and put on the equipment provided - Helmet, Headlamp and Lifejacket.

45 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

Equimpent: Helmet, Head lamp & Life jacket

Includes a Traditional Belizean dish, normally Rice & beans with Stew Chicken, Potato salad and plantains or similar with a soda or purified drinking water

Air-conditioned vehicle

Certified Tour Guide

Tips for Guide and driver.

Breakfast

Pickup points

Venus Hotel

29 Burns Avenue, San Ignacio Belize

San Ignacio Resort Hotel

18 Buena Vista St San Ignacio Belize

UpperWest Cabins

Mile 2 1/2 Benque Viejo Road San Ignacio Belize

Cahal Pech Village Resort

San Ignacio, Belize San Ignacio Belize

Casa Blanca Guest House

10 Burns Ave., San Ignacio Belize

Maya Bella Downtown Hotel

36 Burns Avenue San Ignacio Belize

Tropicool Hotel

30 Burns Avenue, San Ignacio Belize

Options