If you are looking for a place to go caving, Belize offers the perfect spot, Actun Tunichil Muknal, which is also known as ATM cave.
This majestic place is located at the heart of the natural park reserve Tapir Mountain, 45 minutes from San Ignacio, District Caye. The name Actun Tunichil Muknal translates as “Cave of the Crystal Sepulchre,” and the locals know it as “Xibalba” after the Mayan underworld. It´s one of the most impressive caves in Central America.
The site consists of a series of chambers that end in a cathedral where the ancestors performed sacred ceremonies. Visitors will have the opportunity to travel back in time to visit this museum where human sacrifices and artifacts can be seen in its natural context.
What can you find at Actun Tunichil Muknal? Arriving at ATM you’ll find skeletons, pottery, rocks and cave formations carved by the Mayans. The skeleton of an 18-year-old woman lies in the cave floor. It’s known as the “Crystal Maiden”. Many of the artifacts used for these sacrifices can also be found on the floor. Actun Tunichil Muknal is a protected site and only a few guides are allowed to bring visits to this cave. Do you dare to discover the wonders of this mysterious place?