ATM cave tour, Belize: Where adventure meets Mayan sacrifices

ATM cave tour, Belize: Where adventure meets Mayan sacrifices

I don’t usually start my day by jumping into a fast-flowing river with all my clothes on, but then again I don’t typically swim through a pitch-black cave to see the skeletal remains of human sacrifices either.

ATM cave tour Belize
Courtesy of MayaWalk Tours

The Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave tour is one of the best things to do in Belize for good reason: where else can you spend a day walking through the rainforest, swim through streams and an ink-black cave, and come within an arm’s reach of ancient artifacts?

On this rainy December day I found myself in the heart of the jungle in western Belize, an area that was once a stronghold for the Mayan civilization.

While most of them left centuries ago after being forced out by things like droughts, plenty of evidence of their way of life remains. And let’s just say it turns out those Mayans weren’t exactly the warm, fuzzy type. But more on that later.

The ATM cave, Belize

Our group of eight plus our incredibly knowledgeable and friendly guide Hugh from MayaWalk Tours pulled into the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, where the entrance to Actun Tunichil Muknal is found.

The ATM caves excursion is definitely not for the faint of heart though, as even the most adventurous travellers can find themselves challenged by its physical nature—and don’t even think about attempting it if you’re claustrophobic.

Belize Actun Tunichil Muknal ATM Cave Tour

Getting to the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave tour

Raindrops drizzled down as we set off along the flat, dirt pathway towards the so-called “Cave of the Stone Sepulchre,” but on this tour the weather was of little concern. That’s because only five minutes into our walk we arrived at the first water crossing, and the only way to get to the other side was to swim.

With all of our clothes on.

The stream is typically only waist-height, but being the rainy season the water level had risen. Given my 5-foot-3 frame, I had no choice but to grip the rope connecting the two shorelines and plunge into the cold pool, gasping for air and giggling at the shock of it as I awkwardly swam across. And that, my friends, is when I knew we were in for a wild ride.

Belize Actun Tunichil Muknal ATM Cave Tour
Courtesy of MayaWalk Tours

There were two more such crossings during our 45-minute walk before we finally made it to Actun Tunichil Muknal, and were rewarded with the sight of a brilliant turquoise pool edged with big boulders and lush greenery beckoning us to its entrance like a secret cove.

As we edged closer to the darkness, Hugh demonstrated how to use the headlamps fastened to our helmets, as they would be our only source of light once we got inside.

And it turned out were weren’t even close to being done with the whole swimming situation, since our final destination was 500 metres into the ATM cave which meant navigating waters that were anywhere from as shallow as our ankles to deep over our heads.

ATM cave tour Belize

I began shivering as we made our way inside, the temperature dropping as we lost the sunlight. I may be Canadian and live in a place that regularly dips to -20 celcius, but that doesn’t mean I ever get used to being cold. Noticing my chattering teeth and goosebumps, Hugh laughed and exclaimed, “you could be Belizian!”

We continued making our way through, admiring the crystalline stalactites and stalagmites that jutted out from the cavern walls, dazzling when caught by a beam of thin light from our headlamps.

It was incredible to think about how most of the metres-high formations had been around since likely the beginning of time, knowing it takes them a thousand years to grow just 10 centimetres.

Belize Actun Tunichil Muknal ATM Cave Tour

Actun Tunichil Muknal history

Eventually we found ourselves in an amphitheatre-sized chamber known as “The Cathedral”, a trio of bats welcoming us as they fluttered overhead.

Despite the dim surroundings, it was still easy to see the remnants of what the Mayans had left behind in this natural museum: ancient artifacts like urns, ceramics and stoneware, some shattered, others so perfect it looked like they had just been used yesterday.

Hugh explained how they had been used by shamans during ceremonial rituals, prior to the slaughter of their human sacrifices. He also described their killing methods which I won’t share here because eww, but let’s just say those Mayans were creative and brutal.

The Criminal Minds writers have nothing on those guys.

Belize Actun Tunichil Muknal ATM Cave Tour
Courtesy of MayaWalk Tours

While many of the artifacts have been uncovered thanks to the meticulous work of archaeologists, others surfaced due to natural causes such as major storms, which swept away the top layer of sediment revealing treasures underneath.

To date, the bones of over a dozen sacrificed men, women and children have been found, and Hugh said there was no question more were buried below the very surface we stood on.

“It’s not a matter of are they there, but how many there are.”

Exploring ATM cave in Belize

Over the next three hours we continued to wind through the maze of tunnels and dry chambers, sometimes swimming, other times scampering up seven-foot-high boulders like rock climbers or squeezing through a tight space between cave walls.

Hugh kept a watchful eye on us the whole time, warning us not to get too confident in the cave.

ATM cave tour Belize

“People who are afraid are the ones who are safe,” he said, words that I kept in the back of my mind as I methodically made my way up a 14-foot-high ladder miraculously affixed to the uneven cavern wall.

Reaching the top, I found myself in Actun Tunichil Muknal’s most famous spot: a ceremonial chamber, which is the resting place of the so-called Crystal Maiden.

Despite its moniker, the original gender and age of the skeleton is still up for debate though it’s commonly thought to be an 18-year-old woman. Regardless, the bones are incredibly well-preserved and have calcified, resulting in the sparkling appearance that earned it its nickname.

Belize Actun Tunichil Muknal ATM Cave Tour
Courtesy of MayaWalk Tours

Like all of the other artifacts in the cave, we were able to get within an arm’s reach of the Crystal Maiden which made me feel Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark. I mean, how many people get to come that close to priceless relics without a single barricade or security guard in the way?

Admiring her was the perfect way to cap off our visit to the ATM cave, before heading back down the skinny ladder to end our journey the way it began: scampering over boulders, swimming through a maze of dark passageways, and a jungle walk.

When our sopping-wet selves finally made it back to the base, we arrived to find lunch spread out before us, complete with rum punch. Raising our glasses in the air, we toasted to our epic day exploring Belize’s Actun Tunichil Muknal cave, one of the only places in the world where adventure meets Mayan sacrifices.

Belize Actun Tunichil Muknal ATM Cave Tour
Courtesy of MayaWalk Tours

FAQ about the ATM tour, Belize

How to get there and ATM cave tour cost: ATM is a one hour drive from San Ignacio, and there are a handful of tour companies in town offering the excursion for about $100 USD per person including the fabulous MayaWalk Tours.

People staying as far away as spots like San Pedro can still book a tour, since some operators coordinate flights that will get you all the way there and back within a day. Click here to book

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What to wear: You are going to get absolutely soaked, no way around it, so don’t bother wearing anything fancy. Men should wear swim trunks and a shirt, while women will want to wear a swimsuit under capri leggings or shorts, and a top. Bring a thick pair of black socks, as there is one section of the cave where visitors aren’t allowed to wear shoes.

For footwear, a pair of sporty sandals like KEENs work best, but running shoes are also acceptable.

What to bring: Sunscreen, bug repellent and a water bottle are key for the walk through the jungle, and guests will want to bring a towel and change of clothes.

How to pronounce Actun Tunichil Muknal: Ack-toon tune-ee-chill mook-nal.

Need to know: If “photos or it didn’t happen” is your motto then you won’t like this tour. Absolutely no cameras are allowed in the cave, after some special snowflake of a tourist dropped his camera right on a skeleton and damaged it.

Globe Guide explored Actun Tunichil Muknal as a guest of MayaWalk Tours. As always, hosts have no editorial influence on articles.

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26 thoughts on “ATM cave tour, Belize: Where adventure meets Mayan sacrifices”

  1. Oh wow! This is such a cool tour to be part of.. Very interesting and educational.. So incredible how all the artifacts are still there and not removed and brought to museums..

    Is it required to know how to swim for this type of activity?

    I’m sort of claustrophobic, though. (*sigh*). I’m pretty sure it’ll be nice to experience this first-hand.

  2. This sounds like an incredible adventure, equally scary and exciting! You’ve been very brave, as I don’t know if I would’ve survived the thrill and the -20C temperatures!

  3. What perfect timing! I just booked a cruise to Belize this weekend. I would love to explore caves! Great suggestion and photos.

  4. I have always been fascinated by Mayan civilization and sites. But the ATM cave is on a different level altogether. What an incredible trip. The making of a complete and unusual adventure. The trek to the caves is in itself an unforgettable experience, it seems. The Crystal Maiden inside the cave is indeed intriguing.

  5. Now, this seems like a cool adventure which we would love doing but are equally afraid that will we able to do all this. Those crystalline stalactites and stalagmites jutting out from the cavern walls and the crystal maiden skull in Belize ATM cave is so magnificent. Loved this place

  6. This excursion sounds so adventurous! It’s incredible that you got to see the artifacts up close, and that they are so well preserved in the cave. Squeezing in tight spaces to get through the maze of tunnels sounds a bit claustrophobic for me, but I’m sure once you’re in the situation you just do it! The ladder to the Crystal Maiden sounds freaky, but so cool! What an incredible and unique way to learn about Mayan culture. I would love to do this when we visit Belize!

  7. Jackie Sills-Dellegrazie

    Holy smokes, this is such a cool tour!! I really can’t believe the artifacts, relics, and bones are within such close proximity. Did the guide explain why they haven’t been taken and preserved? Definitely Indiana Jones-esque, not to mention an unforgettable adventure. I’d love to do this tour on a trip to Belize!

  8. Wow, the caves look amazing and just the idea of finding Mayan remains inside the caves is so cool. But I can imagine how not-so-pleasant it is to almost swim in cold waters to get inside the caves, my teeth would be shattering too! Lovely experience although, I might just consider it anyway 🙂

  9. I’ve heard of the ATM cave in Belize! And it sounds like the most amazing adventure. I had heard that part of getting to the cave meant swimming, but I haven’t seen photos before from the whole experience, so thanks for recreating the experience through your photos! Adventure aside, I’m sure it’s so incredibly fascinating to be standing there, knowing you’re in the same spot than ancient Mayans stood before, looking at the actual pottery they used, and then coming across skeletal remains. Insane. Definitely has an Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark sound to it! Thanks so much for sharing about your tour – it seems very rare nowadays that you can have this type of authentic experience, as you said, where there are no security guards or barriers between you and a priceless piece of history. It sounds very much like an epic expedition of discovery!

  10. What an awesome spot! I had no idea this was there. I had to laugh at your Canadian comment. I joked with some friends from the south recently that just because I’m Canadian doesn’t mean that I don’t get cold, too! I swear some people think we have a built in invisible shield around us 😉 Anyway, I’d love to experience this – swimming in caves is amazing!

  11. This looks like an amazing experience however the tight spaces kinda freak me out. Are you familiar with the Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam? I did those a couple of years ago and started to panic at one point and the only way out was to keep going. It wasn’t pleasant. How tight of spaces are we talking at ATM?

  12. I’ve been to Belize twice recently and have never heard of this tour. It sounds amazing. How good of a swimmer do you need to be?

    1. I don’t remember anyone wearing life jackets on ours. The water wasn’t super deep; however, you’d want to be comfortable around water since it’s slightly unnerving to move through in the dark. Hope that helps!

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