ATM Cave

ATM is the crown jewel of all of Belize’s archaeological treasures. This is one of the most unforgettable and adventurous underground tours you can make in Belize. The guided trip into ATM takes you deep into the underworld that the ancient Maya knew as Xibalba.

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We’ll start with a 2 hours drive to the village of Teakettle. From there, we’ll turn off into the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve and pass through mahogany groves and orchards. 

 

The tour requires climbing and swimming as well as crawling through small spaces. The cave is extensively decorated with cave formations in the upper passages, dry chambers which lead to the cathedral-like main hall, a towering chamber 350 meters in length and 50 meters wide and filled with artifacts and sacrificial remains. Visitors remove shoes and explore the cave in socks only, to protect the artifacts on the cave floor. After this, another climb takes you to the stone sepulcher (after which the cave is named) where the Crystal Maiden lies.

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This is an extraordinary Belize adventure and a rare opportunity to see ancient Maya ceremonial sites and altars as they were and virtually untouched for centuries. A visit to this site is truly profound and unforgettable.