27 Mar 8 Reasons to Explore the ATM Cave in Belize
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About a 45-minute drive from San Ignacio, through farmlands of timber and fruit trees, you’ll find the ultimate not-to-miss Mayan site in Belize, the ATM cave.
If you love off-the-beaten-path adventures and archeology you’ll love exploring the Mayan underworld of Xibalba at the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave (“Cave of the Stone Sepulcher”).
The day that I spent hiking, swimming, and spelunking this site was my favorite day I spent in Belize (and that’s saying a lot!). Here are 8 reasons why you shouldn’t leave Belize without visiting the ATM cave.
Visiting Belize's ATM Cave
Experience the #1 sacred cave in the world
In 2019, the National Geographic rated the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave as the #1 sacred cave in the world! I guarantee that visiting the ATM cave will be an afternoon of adventure like nothing else you have ever – or will ever – experience. The National Geographic, the Discovery Channel, and the History Channel have all produced documentaries on the cave as well.
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I’m Sarah – a southern gal who found her way to the Las Vegas desert! Welcome to my travels with my husband, life with our two dogs, and all the things in between.
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I spent yesterday afternoon with my friends over at @lutheransocialservicesofnevada at a clothing and food donation event organized with @councilwoman_carriecox and @republic_services! Nothing feels better than giving back to your community! I`m glad to be a (small) part of a board of directors that makes community impact a priority.
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Spent yesterday afternoon with @NevadaLtGov in Laughlin at the @laughlin_bullhead_airshow 🛩️ We saw amazing historic, military, and civilian aircraft and automobiles, but my highlight was meeting a true hero, a 101-year-old WW2 and Korean War veteran 🇺🇸 Forever grateful for his service and sacrifice.
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Visited @svshilohranch in Sandy Valley yesterday and left truly inspired by their dedication to supporting veterans and protecting Nevada`s wild mustangs. Incredible to see the positive impact they`re making! 🐎🇺🇸
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Drew and I ✅ off a big bucket list item! We hiked 85 miles to Everest Base Camp in Nepal. 🏔️ 🥾
We hiked around 6 hours each day walking mixed terrain of rocks, boulders, ice slopes, and glaciers. Our trek also included Chola Pass which, at around 18,000 feet, is no easy feat! 😛
We`re grateful to have had the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the majesty of the Himalayas.
#EverestBaseCamp #CholaPass #himalayanadventure #everestbasecamptrek #trekkinglovers #nepaltravel #nepal🇳🇵
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View Ancient Maya Relics Right Where They Left Them
Calcification over thousands of years has virtually cemented the relics to the cave floor. In fact, most of the relics remain just as they were left by the Maya thousands of years ago.
Feel how small we are in our place in history
There are very few times in life where we, as humans, get to feel how truly insignificant we are. The relics – and human sacrifices – inside the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave sit in the general location where the Maya last touched them almost 2,000 years ago. Contrary to seeing these items in some sterile museum, being with them in the ATM cave makes them – and the people who made them – more real somehow.
The most amazing places in Belize are found at the end of terrible roads.
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Visit a completely living — completely natural — natural history museum
Put on your archeologist’s hat (or caving helmet) and experience what it was like for the actual archeologists who researched this site! There’s simply no other “museum” like the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave it. Here you can get up close and personal to the exhibits and artifacts. There are no glass cases and the only temperature control comes from the natural regulation that being a mile into a cave provides.
The amount of pots and the size of some of them is simply outstanding. When I say that the floor is littered with amazing examples of complete Mayan ceramics and pottery shards, I am not exaggerating! There are over 14,000 artifacts – dating between 250-909 A.D. – that have been cataloged at the ATM cave.
See ancient human skeletons – particularly “The Crystal Maiden”
About a mile into the ATM cave, you will arrive at “The Cathedral.” This is the main site where the thousands of Mayan relics – and human skeletons – are located.
At the very back end of the sacrificial site, around a corner, and up a ladder you’ll find “The Crystal Maiden.” At first, Archeologists believed that this skeleton was a female because of its slight stature, but they now suspect that she was actually a he. After centuries of time, dripped on and submerged by water-rich minerals, the Crystal Maiden sparkles in an eerily beautiful way.
Male or female, the Crystal Maiden – as well as the skeletal remains of 13 other men, women, and children have been found in the cave. All of them show evidence of cranial blunt force trauma were Mayan human sacrifices.
You’ll learn A LOT
We learned more about the ancient Maya in one tour from Eric, our trained and certified guide, than I would have ever learned from weeks sitting in a classroom. After visiting the ATM cave, you might just become a Mayaphile.
Exit the Mayan underworld feeling like a total badass
Venturing into the ATM cave takes you on a journey deep within Xibalba – the Mayan Underworld – where you’ll get up close and personal with ancient Mayan relics – and their human sacrifices.
But first, you must hike about 45 minutes through the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve crossing rivers, wading through streams, and eventually swimming into the mouth of the ATM cave.
Once inside the cave, you’ll brave the spirits of Xibalba as you squeeze through tiny crevices and wade through crystal clear cave waters. Scale a boulder to the entrance of The Cathedral where bloodletting ceremonies and human sacrifices occurred, then sit toe-to-toe with the remains of ancient Mayan sacrifices.
Turn off your headlamp when deep inside the cave for an otherworldly experience!
(Frakenphoto b/c no cameras are allowed at the ATM anymore!)
Because you might not be able to in the future
Changing weather and the sensitivity of the relics means that there’s the potential that the cave will eventually close to visitors forever.
What to Wear & Bring
to the ATM cave
You’re tour guide will provide all the necessary equipment – like headlamps, helmets, and life jackets – for you. Bugs like mosquitos and sand flies can be annoying and persistent – these Deep Woods Towelettes are perfect for travel! You will be getting your shoes wet, so wear a pair of comfortable athletic shoes that you don’t mind getting soaked or hiking sandals.
I don’t recommend wearing a bathing suit because there are tight squeezes and jagged rocks that wouldn’t feel great against exposed skin. Instead of a bathing suit, wear a rash guard and bike shorts made with material that will dry quickly. You will also want to bring along a change of clothes and a towel – you don’t want to make that return trip to San Ignacio in those wet cave clothes!
** Visitors are no longer allowed to bring items with them into the cave. That means no photography equipment…no not even your GoPro. The fragile remains in the ATM cave have been damaged three times by tourists dropping their phones and cameras on skulls and pottery.
Frequently Asked Questions
I highly recommend wearing swim shorts or bike shorts and a rash guard. Don’t wear a bathing suit. Wear hiking sandals with a closed toe and bring black socks to wear inside The Cathedral. You will also want to pack a change of clothes for when you return from the Underworld!
The ATM cave tour takes about 3.5 to 4 hours.
We toured the ATM cave with Mayawalk. They charge $125 per person which includes your knowledgeable and certified guide, a traditional Belizean lunch, and transportation to and from the cave.
Caracol is the largest ancient Mayan site in Belize. In its heyday, Caracol covered an area much larger than present day Belize and supported more than twice the population of today’s Belize city.
You won’t be able to see everything in the country in 7 days, but that’s a good amount of time to visit Belize’s highlights: ATM, Mayan ruins, San Ignacio, Caye Caulker…
Belize is known as having the world’s second largest barrier reef but it is also home to jungles, pine forests, waterfalls, and caves – all ready for you to explore!
Late November to mid-April (the country’s dry season) is the best times to visit Belize.
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Tim and Joanne Joseph
Posted at 18:25h, 27 MarchBeautiful picture!
Sarah
Posted at 15:09h, 29 MarchThis place is simply amazing! Definitely worth exploring on your trip to Belize!