ATM Cave Adventure "Actun Tunichil Muknal" (from Belize City)
Overview
Taking a journey into the Mayan underworld at Actun Tunichil Muknal, or the “Cave of the Stone Sepulchre”, will be one of the most enlightening, epic, and unique experiences of your life! Recently deemed the #1 Sacred Cave destination in the world by National Geographic, the ATM cave is not only beautiful geologically, with its crystalline stalactites and stalagmites, but also historically, as is a natural museum of ancient Mayan artifacts, as well as a sacred burial place. This is the final resting place of the “Crystal Maiden”, an ancient Mayan ceremonial victim.
Inclusions
- helmet, headlamp, life jacket
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Lunch - Please advise if any dietary restrictions
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Actun Tunichil Muknal, Tea Kettle Village Belize
A must do "bucket list" tour of Belize!! An amazing cave exploration tour featuring skeletal remains, pottery and fascinating Maya history. Includes a jungle hike, and river crossings!
Duration: 4 hours
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Actun Tunichil Muknal, Tea Kettle Village Belize
A must do "bucket list" tour of Belize!! An amazing cave exploration tour featuring skeletal remains, pottery and fascinating Maya history. Includes a jungle hike, and river crossings!
Duration: 4 hours
Additional information
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Not recommended for children under 6 years of age
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 100 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 12 hours of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
kwahij
January 2023
We had an opportunity to see Chichen Itza before coming to Belize. On that trip, we learned about the Mayan calendar and their architectural prowess. But doing this Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) tour through a cave with moving water led by an experienced guide and learning about the Mayan's view ...
We had an opportunity to see Chichen Itza before coming to Belize. On that trip, we learned about the Mayan calendar and their architectural prowess. But doing this Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) tour through a cave with moving water led by an experienced guide and learning about the Mayan's view of the three worlds and how their spiritual leaders helped the Mayan people make sense of the world around them was absolutely amazing. Francisco Reymundo of Ancient Cultural Tours managed our tour. They verified our dietary preferences and hotel location soon after we made the reservation. The team included a driver who had a sign with our names on it at the Belize City ferry terminal so we were able to jump right into his car. Once we got closer to ATM, we switched cars and picked up our guide (Bernard, a guide who has been doing cave tours across the country for 18 years) and headed out to the trailhead. We got our gear and started hiking. Bernard pointed out some flora and fauna along the way. Bernard took the four of us and two others through the cave and explained the geological changes within the cave, the Mayans' relationship with the cave, the geopolitical implications of ATM in relation to the other population centers in the region, and the Mayan artifacts and human remains. He was savvy about timing (if your group is too slow, you can get backed up behind a bunch of other tour groups and spend a lot of time waiting to see some of the artifacts), conscious about the needs of the different members of our party and was able to make the experience meaningful for all of us. After we returned to the trailhead, Francisco and his team fed us a home-cooked meal. They provided the kids with soft drinks and water and gave the adults a beer. Acknowledging the reality that cameras are no longer allowed at ATM, they provided us a few pictures of the experience that were taken before the camera ban was instituted. I've attached two of those pictures to this review. I was concerned about mosquitos given the fact that you are deep in the jungle during this tour. Within the first 100 yards of the trail, you have to use a rope to pull yourself through a slow-moving river, so any mosquito repellent you might have applied would have washed away. Once the drivers described that to me, I decided against wearing insect repellant. I did receive a few mosquito bites on the tour, but much fewer than I had originally feared. Disclaimer: We booked this trip from San Pedro. The journey included 90 minutes in a ferry to Belize City, two hours in a private car from the Belize City boat terminal that included a transfer to a different car once we were seven miles from ATM, and a 20-minute hike through three segments of a river before reaching the cave mouth with a flowing river. Then, it took us two hours to get to the end of the cave through moving water and some climbing. One you have seen the artifacts and human remains, you do the entire thing in reverse to get home. We needed a day of without any planned activities to recover.Larry_traveler
July 2022
This was my favorite experience in Belize and ranks as one of my favorite of all my travel experiences. Cameras are not allowed in the cave, so prepare yourself mentally.
This was my favorite experience in Belize and ranks as one of my favorite of all my travel experiences. Cameras are not allowed in the cave, so prepare yourself mentally.417joycep
August 2021
Great time, great experience, must do while in Belize! I’m so happy I selected this adventure. My dad had a great time too.
Great time, great experience, must do while in Belize! I’m so happy I selected this adventure. My dad had a great time too.brookebD2929RU
May 2021
We had an amazing experience at the ATM with the knowledgeable Danny as our guide. He knew the place inside and out and his passion for the place rang true. Props to Joey too for being a great and friendly driver! I would definitely recommend this tour! Thanks!
We had an amazing experience at the ATM with the knowledgeable Danny as our guide. He knew the place inside and out and his passion for the place rang true. Props to Joey too for being a great and friendly driver! I would definitely recommend this tour! Thanks!Izumi_T
March 2020
Wonderful adventure to explore the archaeological reserve. Special thanks to the local guide and the driver Richard who help me to get the lost item back.
Wonderful adventure to explore the archaeological reserve. Special thanks to the local guide and the driver Richard who help me to get the lost item back.WhitneyOOO
January 2020
We made a day trip from Caye Caulker to the mainland to do the ATM Cave. UpClose Belize handled everything from the water taxi, to the ride to the cave, provided lunch, and an awesome guide that was so nice and kept us safe. We will definitely use them again when we return to Belize! Easy and wor...
We made a day trip from Caye Caulker to the mainland to do the ATM Cave. UpClose Belize handled everything from the water taxi, to the ride to the cave, provided lunch, and an awesome guide that was so nice and kept us safe. We will definitely use them again when we return to Belize! Easy and worth every penny.