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ATM Cave Tour: Discover Ancient Mayan Civilization and Crystal Maiden
5.0
10 Ratings
San Ignacio
Embark on an extraordinary journey to the ATM Cave and uncover the secrets of the ancient Mayan civilization. Explore sacred burials and encounter the mesmerizing Crystal Maiden, a symbol of sacrificial ritual and agricultural fertility.
Embark on an extraordinary journey to the ATM Cave and uncover the secrets of the ancient Mayan civilization. Explore sacred burials and encounter the mesmerizing Crystal Maiden, a symbol of sacrificial ritual and agricultural fertility.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
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Actun Tunichil Muknal - Discovered in 1989, Actun Tunichil Muknal, or the “Cave of the Stone Sepulchre,” is situated in the Tapir Mountain Reserve of the Cayo District, near Roaring Creek village. This renowned cave is celebrated as the top cave in Central America by National Geographic and is a must-see attraction in Belize.
The ATM Cave was…
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Actun Tunichil Muknal - Discovered in 1989, Actun Tunichil Muknal, or the “Cave of the Stone Sepulchre,” is situated in the Tapir Mountain Reserve of the Cayo District, near Roaring Creek village. This renowned cave is celebrated as the top cave in Central America by National Geographic and is a must-see attraction in Belize.
The ATM Cave was historically utilized by the Mayans for ceremonial activities during the Classic Period. Most ceremonies and rituals took place at the cave’s entrance, while the interior was deemed more sacred due to its closeness to the Mayan rain god, Chaak. As the Classic Period drew to a close, it is believed that rituals moved further into the cave due to drought, which is thought to have contributed to the decline of the Mayan Civilization.
The cave’s natural geological formations of crystalline stalactites and stalagmites are not its only wonders. This 5-kilometer-long natural museum is home to ancient Mayan artifacts and contains over 14 human skeletal remains of men, women, and children.
What's Included
- Lunch
- Helmet, Head light and life vest (optional)
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Lunch
- Helmet, Head light and life vest (optional)
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Additional Information
Allow our guides to transport you back in time as you explore the remarkable depths of the ATM Cave, promising one of the most enlightening experiences of your life. Upon entering the hourglass-shaped entrance, you will be greeted by the clear blue waters of the perennial stream that flows throughout the cave.
As you journey through, you will encounter…
Allow our guides to transport you back in time as you explore the remarkable depths of the ATM Cave, promising one of the most enlightening experiences of your life. Upon entering the hourglass-shaped entrance, you will be greeted by the clear blue waters of the perennial stream that flows throughout the cave.
As you journey through, you will encounter ancient tools, pots, and artifacts, gaining insight into the history of the Mayan Civilization. Venturing further into the cave, you will discover sacred burials and the Crystal Maiden, the complete and intact remains of a female, adorned with sparkling mineral deposits. Her death was a sacrificial ritual for agricultural fertility.
- Please disclose honestly all pre-existing relevant medical conditions accurately and fully when booking a tour or service, which may impact your ability to participate or travel to remote areas without access to medical facilities or may adversely affect the experience of others on your tour. We will maintain your information in accordance to the company privacy policy.
Location
29 Burns Avenue
Burns Avenue
Our office is on the first flow of Venus Hotel in San Ignacio Town.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(10 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
J351wukarens
Feb 15, 2026
Not to be missed. - Thanks to our amazing guide, Gliss, we had a once in a lifetime experience. He had a wide knowledge of the history, the geology, and the archeology of the caves and the Mayan sacrifices done there. It was really something to see these caves up close and personal. Traveling through the cave is not for the faint of heart, but we felt completely safe with Gliss. He was always very patient, and helpful. The authentic local fare lunch was delicious too. We would definitely recommend this tour, especially with Gliss as a guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tandm625
Dec 28, 2025
Truly Once in a Lifetime - Visiting ATM Cave was an unforgettable experience and truly a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. A licensed guide is required, and for good reason—the history, storytelling, and knowledge they provide make the journey incredibly meaningful and fascinating.
The adventure starts with a hike of a couple of miles to reach the cave, including crossing three rivers along the way. Be prepared for the trek: wear closed-toe water shoes or Keens with socks (bring an old pair you can throw away afterward). You will absolutely get wet, sandy, and muddy—but it is 100% worth it.
The caves themselves are breathtaking, and the journey through them is unlike anything else. The history is incredible, with ancient artifacts that make the experience feel surreal and deeply humbling. You’ll need to be in decent physical shape, as the tour involves climbing over rocks, using ladders, and navigating through narrow cave passages.
After the tour, there are changing rooms with showers available, which is a huge plus. This is not a casual excursion, but if you’re up for the challenge, ATM Cave is one of the most amazing experiences Belize has to offer.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Briandm3082cv
Dec 13, 2025
excellent and experience of s lifetime - super fun learning experience. patrick is extremely knowledgeable and friendly. i recommend him a thousand times to all my friends
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mikemcg2015
Oct 12, 2025
A diverse, fascinating experience in physical activity, Mayan history and a beautiful cave - An incredible experience. If you do one thing in Caye, this should be it. It is a challenging day. The experience requires some swimming, hiking, climbing, squeezing in tight spaces, etc. If you’re fit, though, it’s a must-do. The ATM experience combines superb caving and Mayan history. The cave has beautiful and diverse formations, and it includes dry areas and wet. It also includes naturally lighted areas as well as areas that require mechanical light. The cave also includes hundreds of Mayan artifacts and the skeletal remains of human sacrifice. Our guides (from Mayan Walk Tours) were very knowledgeable and helpful. They provided fascinating information, and they ensured that all six guests were guided safely through the journey. I cannot recommend the ATM highly enough. It’s the highlight of any tour to Belize.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
H2919pwchrisr
Jan 29, 2024
A must see - Much better than expected. Highly reccomend to any one who has an appreciation for culture and Gods creation. I can promise you that you will not be dissapointed in any way.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michelle
Jul 23, 2023
Spectacular Experience- Must Do! - The road to the trail head is riddled with lot holes so it’s a bumpy ride. once you arrive, there are washrooms - USE THEM! It’s about 3.5 hrs before you will get access again. You can carry your water bottle for the 2km hike crossing 2 rivers to get to the cave entrance. Once there, you’ll leave everything behind because you will need both hands. Then the adventure begins - you will enter into the cold river and swim inside cave. Your guide will lead you along and you will follow the water, sometimes swimming, sometimes climbing over rocks, sometimes squeezing between them. Good shoes are a must - we wore water shoes with decent tread and they worked great. Wear socks! At one point you have to climb without shoes on and it would hurt to be barefoot. Some parts are steep but the guide tells you exactly where to place your hands and feet. Only 2 spots where you need to squeeze and it’s a bit scary but it’s only about a foot. I wore tight yoga pants and feel like I was the best equipped - they protected my legs when you had to sit or slide, and they didn’t cause any drag. Some agility was required; individuals with knee or back problems would probably have a difficult time of it. It was an amazing experience and a MUST DO excursion when in Belize!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kayanto
Jun 11, 2023
ATM cave experience - This was a great experience. I highly recommend it if you're ever around here. Our guide, Philip, is a very knowledgeable man. He gave us detailed info about the cave formation and the Maya sacrifices. On top of that he's a funny guy too who made jokes and entertained us but at the same time he seriously knows a lot about the history and culture of his country. I'm glad we had him as our guide. He'll kindly send you pics, as it's not allowed to get in with cameras. He even sent me a complimentary documentary which he took part in it too. Worth every penny.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sally_e
Feb 11, 2023
Very cool adventure... - Very cool adventure involving both physical and spiritual aspects. Great for adventure seekers. Appreciated the attention to safety as there is some exposure or risk for injury.
Review provided by Viator
Tim_g
Jul 27, 2022
ATM cave tour is a must see! - Gliss was our tour guide. He was fantastic. One of the best guides ever. He has a great sense of humor. He is from the area and has been doing cave tours for most of his life. He loves what he does and has an incredible knowledge of the caves in the area, Mayan culture, geology, hydrology, the local area, birds, plants and animals in the area. We had an excellent experience. The ATM cave is a highlight of our experience in Belize. Great history, the geologic formations, getting wet in the river and the cave, and taking the mind back to the Mayan customs at the time, were all part of a wonderful day! This is a unique opportunity. We are so glad we chose to do this tour.
Review provided by Viator
Marynag312
Feb 28, 2020
Simply Amazing - Our guide Oscar was perfect. He gave us information about every detail. Took his time and made us feel very comfortable.
The way to the cave and the entrance was really cool. Going over rivers. The cave itself was behind amazing. You just have to do it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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