Exploring The Atm Cave Tour In Belize: A Journey Through Time And Nature

Belize's ATM Cave Tour is an adventure like no other. This tour takes you on a journey through the ancient Mayan underworld, where you will find the skeletal remains of human sacrifices, crystalline stalactites and stalagmites, and ancient artefacts.

The tour begins with a 45-minute hike through the Belizean Rainforest to the cave entrance. Along the way, you will cross the Roaring River three times and wade through waist-high waters. The cave itself offers a unique, eerie experience as it was once used by the Ancient Maya for rituals such as bloodletting and human sacrifice. You will learn about the history of the cave and the rituals that took place there over a thousand years ago.

The entire tour takes around 6 hours, with 3-4 hours spent inside the cave. It is a physically demanding activity that involves hiking, climbing, swimming, and crawling. It is not recommended for those who are claustrophobic or have a fear of heights, darkness, or water.

The ATM Cave Tour is a challenging but rewarding experience that provides a fascinating insight into the world of the Ancient Maya.

The ATM Cave is a 45-minute hike from the parking area

The ATM Cave, or Actun Tunichil Muknal, is located in the heart of the Belizean Rainforest. It is a 45-minute hike from the parking area to the cave entrance, during which you will cross the Roaring River three times. The trail includes loose rocks, roots, and branches, and the path can be muddy, especially during the rainy season. The hike is not hilly, but it is not completely flat either.

The first river crossing involves swimming while holding onto a rope. The second and third crossings are at a lower depth, and you can wade across. The cave entrance is then accessed by swimming across a small spring-fed pool for 10-15 seconds.

The entire ATM Cave tour takes about 3.5 to 4 hours, with 1.5 hours of walking and about 2 hours inside the cave. The time inside the cave includes climbing over rocks, swimming, and squeezing through tight spaces. There are three sections where the ceiling narrows down, but these are passed through quickly. There is also a 12-foot ladder to climb to access 'The Cathedral', the dry chamber of the cave. Here, you will be asked to remove your shoes and explore in wet socks only, to protect the sensitive limestone floor.

The cave is located in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve

The ATM Cave, or Actun Tunichil Muknal, is located in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, Belize's first nature reserve. The reserve is a protected area in Central America, falling under category (Ia) of the International Union for Conservation Nature's protected areas categories. It is managed by the Belize Forest Department and co-managed by the Belize Karst Habitat Conservation.

The Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve is comprised of 6,286 acres of lowland tropical evergreen forest on limestone (karstic) soils. It is nestled in the lowland foothills below the Maya Mountains Massif, and is located eight miles southwest of Belmopan, Belize's capital. The reserve lies entirely within the Belize River watershed and provides protection to the Barton Creek and Roaring Creek sub-watersheds. The undisturbed forested landscapes of the reserve drain into these two creeks, providing a significant watershed buffer for the downstream communities of Teakettle, Ontario, and Blackman Eddy.

The reserve's rugged limestone topography features sinkholes and underground streams and caves formed from the erosion of the porous karstic layer. The forest ecosystems of the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve support a rich diversity of flora and fauna, with perhaps as many as a thousand species of plants, at least 55 mammal species, and more than 340 species of birds. The reserve also protects two of Belize's high-risk species: the Central American Spider Monkey and the White-lipped Peccary.

The Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave is a sacred location for the ancient Maya and is believed to be the passageway to the Xibalba, the Maya underworld. It was used by the ancient Maya to perform religious ceremonies such as human sacrifices, as evidenced by the many skeletal remains and other artifacts found within. The most famous skeleton, known as the Crystal Maiden, is found at the end of the cave and has been calcified by the cave's water, giving it a shimmering appearance.

The cave was used by the Ancient Maya for sacrifices and rituals

The Ancient Maya used the ATM Cave for sacrifices and rituals, believing it to be a sacred entrance to Xibalba, the Maya underworld.

The Maya saw caves as portals to the underworld, a place of fear and fright, guarded by evil spirits, demons, and monsters. They believed that gods within the caves controlled agriculture and rain. Only elites and priests were permitted access to the caves.

The Ancient Maya ventured deep into the ATM Cave to connect with their deities. They performed ceremonies, sacrifices, and rituals to appease the gods and prompt a "rebirth" of the world.

The Ancient Maya staged elaborate, theatrical, and deadly re-enactments of the Popol Vuh, the Maya creation myth. They impersonated gods and re-enacted stories and myths, hoping to force a "rebirth" of the world before drought and political turmoil brought about the end of their civilisation in the 10th century.

The Ancient Maya believed that the evil lords of Xibalba were triumphing during times of drought. They performed ceremonies and sacrifices to appease the rain god, Chac. They left offerings of broken artefacts, believing that the lords of Xibalba were only allowed to receive damaged goods.

The Ancient Maya also performed bloodletting rituals in the ATM Cave. They would cut themselves or others to offer blood to the gods.

The cave contains the remains of the 'Crystal Maiden' and other skeletons

The ATM Cave, or Actun Tunichil Muknal, is an archaeological site in Belize that was once used by the Ancient Maya for rituals and sacrifices. The cave contains the remains of several skeletons, including that of the Crystal Maiden, a 17-year-old boy whose bones have crystallised over more than a thousand years.

The Crystal Maiden is the most famous of the skeletons found in the cave. Initially believed to be a girl, the skeleton now thought to be male is located at the back of the cave system, past huge boulders and cavernous rooms. The bones have been completely calcified, giving them a sparkling appearance. The Crystal Maiden's skeleton is unique in that it has two crushed vertebrae, indicating that the person may have died in a violent manner.

In addition to the Crystal Maiden, there are 14 other skeletal remains in the cave, including six children under the age of three and a mixture of adults ranging from 30 to 45 years old. Many of the younger skeletons show signs of cranial deformation, resulting in a slightly elongated shape to their heads. Almost all of the skeletons were killed by blunt trauma to the head, with some having their entire skulls crushed.

The ceramics and stoneware found alongside the skeletons provide further insight into the rituals and beliefs of the Ancient Maya. The ceramics are marked with ""kill holes""", indicating their use for ceremonial purposes. The Maya also modified cave formations to create altars, silhouettes of faces and animals, and shadow projections.

The ATM Cave is located in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve and can only be accessed through official tours with licensed guides. The journey to the cave involves a one-hour drive from San Ignacio, followed by an hour-long walk through shallow rivers and jungle terrain. Visitors are required to wear socks and are prohibited from bringing cameras, cell phones, food, or backpacks into the cave to protect the artifacts and skeletal remains.

The tour takes a full day

The ATM Cave tour in Belize is a full-day excursion. You'll meet early in the morning (around 7 or 8 am) and return to the office in the late afternoon (around 4 or 5 pm). The time inside the cave itself is between 3 and 4 hours, with an additional 45-minute hike each way from the parking area to the cave entrance.

The tour begins with a drive from the tour office to the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, which takes about an hour and a half. There is a short stop at a store along the way for shopping or to pick up additional guests. Upon arrival at the reserve, you'll embark on a 45-minute hike through the jungle to the cave entrance. This hike includes three river crossings of varying depths, from knee to waist height, with the help of a rope for the first crossing.

At the mouth of the cave, you'll swim across a small pool into the dark underworld of the cave. Inside the cave, you'll spend approximately 3 to 4 hours exploring various tunnels, passageways, and chambers. You'll encounter crystalline stalactites and stalagmites, ancient artifacts, and skeletal remains, including the famed "Crystal Maiden." There are some tight spaces and sections where you'll need to climb over rocks and ladders, but no traditional rock climbing or crawling is involved.

After exiting the cave, you'll hike back to the parking lot, where you'll have the opportunity to change into dry clothes and enjoy a delicious Belizean lunch. Finally, you'll board the van and head back to the tour office, arriving in the late afternoon.

The ATM Cave tour is a challenging and strenuous activity that requires a moderate level of physical fitness. It involves swimming, climbing, wading through water, and navigating uneven surfaces. It is not recommended for individuals with heart-related conditions, serious medical conditions, recent major surgeries, or pregnancy. Additionally, cameras are not allowed inside the cave, so leave them behind and experience the power of ancient spirits with your mind, body, and soul.

Frequently asked questions