ATM - ACTUN TUNICHIL MUKNAL
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Exceptional cave with various chambers, including a "cathedral", the ancient chamber dedicated to traditional ceremonies
Discovered in 1992, this exceptional cave is considered one of the best-preserved sites of pre-Classical Maya culture in Central America. The first Maya incursions into the cave have been dated to between 300 and 600 AD, at the beginning of the Classic Period. But it wasn't until 700 AD that the Maya descended deeper into the cave and began to use ATM as a ceremonial and sacrificial site for the satisfaction of the gods.
Tour operators are located in San Ignacio. Once at the site, start with a 45-minute walk through the jungle before reaching the cave, where you swim across two rivers on the way. Inside, you first have to wade through a chaos of collapsed rocks; then you continue along the riverbed (in the rainy season, the visit becomes random depending on the water level).
Walking through the cave takes you through various chambers, before reaching the so-called "cathedral", an ancient chamber dedicated to ceremonies. Over a total distance of 5.3 kilometers, you'll discover skeletons that bear witness to the human sacrifices of the time, as well as ceramics dating back over 2,000 years. It takes around 3 hours round-trip to cover all the chambers, and an impeccable attitude as this is an exceptional place of memory that must not be damaged by visitors.