Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM Cave)
MAYAN RITUAL SACRIFICE CAVE EXPERIENCE ACTUN TUNICHIL MUKNAL (ATM CAVE)
Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave means “Cave of the Stone Sepulcher” in Mayan. It is a must-do tour for visitors to Belize! The cave was created by water erosion of karst limestone over hundreds of thousands of years. It has been used by the Maya for nearly two thousand years for religious rituals.
ATM Cave is about 7 miles south of the village of Teakettle in the beautiful Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve in the Cayo district. To reach the cave entrance, you will hike 2 miles through pristine jungle, crossing Roaring Creek three times. Your specially licensed guide will lead the way. At the cave opening, don your helmet and headlamp and get ready to swim into the ancient Maya ritual world.
Inside the ATM Cave
The first part of the adventure involves swimming and wading through an array of stalagmites, stalactites, and limestone features until you will reach the Stelae Chamber and then the Main Chamber. The Main Chamber is about one kilometer from the cave entrance. To enter the Main Chamber, you must remove your shoes but wear socks. Your guide will explain the valuable artifacts used in Mayan rites. These include the skeletal remains of 14 individuals and 150 ceramic pots. Stingray spines, obsidian blades, grinding stones, and whistles are also found here. These remain in place just as they were when discovered about 25 years ago.
At the far end of the Main Chamber, you will find the Crystal Maiden. She was a young girl sacrificed as part of agricultural fertility rites.
We leave Placencia at 05:30 am to meet the specialist guide in Teakettle village who will drive you to Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. The Belize Tourism Board has granted licenses to a small group of agents to conduct tours here. This balances the cave’s protection against tourist revenue. The Splash driver will wait for you in Teakettle. Expect to be back in Placencia at around 7:00 pm.
Wear sturdy shoes suitable for walking in water, bring a change of clothes for the drive back and bring insect repellent. WEAR SOCKS — THEY ARE MANDATORY FOR PRESERVATION REASONS. CAMERAS ARE NOT ALLOWED. ONLY THE GUIDE WILL CARRY A DRY BAG INTO THE CAVE.
Fitness level required: Moderate. You must be able to swim short distances. Moreover, agility is needed to clamber up, down, and around rocks and obstacles.
