Things to Do
Full-Day Tour to the ATM Cave: A Sacred Cave for Ancient Mayas
Tour Overview
Step into the mysterious world of the ancient Maya with a full-day adventure to Actun Tunichil Muknal, the legendary ATM Cave in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. After a scenic drive and a jungle hike with river crossings, you’ll swim and wade into a cave filled with breathtaking limestone formations. Inside, your licensed guide will reveal sacred chambers where rituals took place nearly 2,000 years ago. Discover intact artifacts, ceremonial tools, and the famous “Crystal Maiden,” a glittering skeleton preserved in time. With limited guides licensed to lead this tour, visiting ATM is a rare privilege and one of Belize’s most awe-inspiring experiences. Prepare for adventure, history, and wonder in this unforgettable journey into the heart of Mayan spirituality.
What to Expect
- 1
We leave Placencia at 05:30 am to meet up with the specialist guide in the village of Teakettle. The specialist guide will drive you to the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. The Belize Tourism Board, in coordination with the Belize National Institue of Culture and History, Institute of Archaeology, hs granted licenses to a small group of agents to conduct tours to this cave, in an attmept to balance its protection against tourist revenue. The Splash driver will wait for you in Teakettle. Expect to be back in Placencia at around 7:00 pm.
3h - 2
When we arrive at Teakettle Village - Entrance to the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, we will start our nature walk. This hike will last between 30-45 minutes until we reach the cave. The entrance to the cave is actually a little natural pool inside the cave that we must jump into when we arrive and swim in for around 30 seconds. Once you enter the cave you will have to pass through passages, climb large rocks, and walk and swim inside the cave. There are parts of the cave where you will find different Mayan artifacts including pottery, stone tools, and the remains of human sacrifices, this is the highlight of the tour. As you explore the ATM Cave, you'll also see a variety of stunning geological formations, including stalagmites and stalactites, which are created when water dripping from the cave ceiling mixes with minerals in the rock.