Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM Cave)
About This Museum
What truly sets the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave apart is that it's less a traditional museum and more of a journey into a sacred underworld. You'll wade through rivers and squeeze through narrow passages to reach an archaeological site preserved exactly as it was found over a thousand years ago. The main chamber, known as the Cathedral, is a breathtaking expanse where the Maya conducted their most solemn rituals. It’s an intensely physical and spiritual experience, connecting you directly to a mysterious past.
Collection Highlights
The most profound artifacts are the skeletal remains of those sacrificed, including the famous 'Crystal Maiden,' whose bones have been calcified to a sparkling, ethereal sheen by minerals over the centuries. Scattered across the cavern floor are countless ceremonial pottery vessels, many left in situ, some still showing the 'kill holes' ritualistically smashed by priests.
Visitor Information
Access is by guided tour only—you can't just show up. Be prepared for an adventurous half-day trip involving a jungle hike, three river crossings, and some spelunking. Wear secure water shoes and bring a waterproof camera; regular bags and cameras are strictly prohibited to protect the fragile site.
Architecture & Building
This isn't a built structure but a vast natural limestone cave system, with chambers carved by water over millennia. The 'exhibit spaces' are its stunning geological formations and ancient river-carved chambers.
Contact & Location
Address: El Progresso, Cayo District, Belize
Phone: +501 668-4889
