Cave Tubing in Actun Tunichil Muknal
This is an all-day, seven-hour tour that takes you to one of the most famous Maya sites in Belize. The Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave is a fascinating cave that preserves the remains of Maya culture. It’s best known for the skeleton of a sacrificial victim – a young woman whose remains have lain in the cave for over 1,000 years. Over time, the bones have formed a layer of crystallized minerals, which has led to her nickname, “the Crystal Maiden.”
- Duration: 8 hrs
- Available Days: Every day
- Schedule: 8:00 AM
- Hotel Transport Included
- Mobile Ticket Included
- Offered in English, Spanish
Experience Highlights
On your way to the cave, you’ll get to go tubing down the gentle river that flows outside of the cave. It’s a wet cave, and visitors should be prepared to do some wading on their adventure. Inside the cave, it takes a bit of climbing to get to the burial chambers, so this tour is best suited to visitors who are in good physical condition. Your guides will provide water and a break for lunch, so you’ll be well-fueled for this active tour.
Visitors are required to wear socks inside the cave – because of the fragile artifacts inside, no shoes are allowed. But it’s not just these impressive archeological finds that make it such an interesting attraction. This 3-mile (5-km) cave also has interesting natural formations, including twisted stalactites and stalagmites.
Attraction Visited
Actun Tunichil MuknalActun Tunichil Muknal is a cave that the Mayans used for ceremonial purposes, dating back to around 900 AD. According to Maya lore, Actun Tunichil Muknal (known locally as “ATM”) connects the world of the living to Xibalba, the Maya underworld. This cave served as the site of human sacrifice – archeologists have uncovered the remains of 6 children and several adults inside the cave. Historians speculate that the Maya intended these sacrifices to appease the gods of the underworld.
What to Bring
Comfortable attire, comfortable shoes (preferably water shoes), change of clothing, swimsuit, and an extra pair of socks. Please note: No cameras are allowed.
What's included
Tour guide, equipment, water, lunch, transportation, and entrance fees.
Transportation
Many of our tours and activities offer transportation pick up & drop off options from several locations and destinations. Options vary by tour, see “More Time and Rates” for full details.
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San Ignacio Things To Do
- Attractions
- Actun Tunichil Muknal65 km.
- Altun Ha83 km.
- Barton Creek Cave17 km.
- Belize Zoo60 km.
- Carocol Ruins5 km.
- Community Baboon Sanctuary61 km.
- Lamanai48 km.
- St. Herman Blue Hole43 km.
- Tikal National Park91 km.
- Xunantunich7 km.
- Yaxhá Nakum Naranjo38 km.