Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM Cave) from San Ignacio: Maya Sacrifice

4.8
(193 reviews)
San Ignacio, Belize

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7 hours 30 minutes (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English and 1 more

- Experience a personalized small group tour of the ATM Cave.
- Enjoy a Belizean local lunch after your adventure.
- Travel comfortably in air-conditioned transportation.
- Trek through the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve with three refreshing river crossings.
- Swim into the mysterious cave, once considered a portal to the underworld by the ancient Mayas.
- Guided by professional tour specialists, navigate the cave while exploring rock formations and swimming.
- Discover the main chamber, a Living Museum featuring over 1,000 intact Maya artifacts and skeletal remains, including the famous Crystal Maiden.
- Learn about the historical and spiritual significance of Xibalba, including the rituals conducted by ancient priests and shamans.

What's Included

Local guide
Use of all necessary equipment
Entrance fee
Local Lunch (Stew Chicken Rice and beans or Vegeterian option)
Juice
Air-conditioned vehicle
Bring Reusable water bottles
Gratuities
Hotel pick-up and drop-off outside of San Ignacio Town

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

We provide complimentary pick up for hotels within San Ignacio Town, hotels outside of town, a small surcharge applies contact our Office if you are outside of town

OR
Meeting point
5W29+WX6

Unit # 2 inside the Belize Caving Expeditions Office

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What to expect

It will take us an hour to drive to the parking lot. Your experienced guide leads your group on an easy 35-minute hike to the cave entrance. Walk along the bank of the Roaring River, which you’ll cross three times before arriving at the cave entrance. To prepare your group for entering the cave, your guide provides a historical overview and a safety briefing. The water passage allows you to splash and play as you wade through the water, which may come up to your ankles, knees, waist, and even neck—sometimes requiring you to swim. At one point, you’ll climb up to a ledge to enter one of the most attractive parts of the cave, where archeologists have recorded more than 1,000 pieces of pottery and 19 human sacrifices. To explore this chamber, you must remove your shoes to protect the natural surroundings, including impressive formations like rock columns, stalactites, stalagmites, citrines, and flowstones. Your guide will share fascinating details about ancient Mayan rituals and ceremonies that once occurred deep under the earth.

Additional info

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Minimum height requirement is 40 inches
  • It is recommended that you wear closed-toe shoes, comfortable clothing (short Pants, Long pants, T-shirt or long Sleeve) that can get wet, a change of clothes.
Supplied by Belize Family Adventure
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Tags

Hiking Tours
Extreme Sports
Climbing
Historical Tours
Caving
On the Water
Swimming
Best Conversion
Top Product
Low Supplier Cancellation Rate
Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate
Curated Catalog
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

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

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Rating

4.8 Based on 193 193 reviews
5 stars
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