Rey Marcos Caves, Cave system and museum in San Juan Chamelco, Guatemala.
Rey Marcos Caves is a cave system in San Juan Chamelco that extends approximately one kilometer underground with distinctive mineral formations throughout. The passages contain cylindrical tubes and large stalagmites with translucent decorations, and an underground river that visitors must wade through to reach deeper chambers.
The cave system was first explored in 1998 by Óscar and Iván Fernández and opened to the public in 1999. Archaeological evidence shows that Maya people used the caves for ceremonial purposes during pre-Columbian times.
The Q'eqchi' people of San Juan Chamelco hold deep spiritual connections to this cave system, where local beliefs suggest that requests made inside come true. The site remains important to community rituals and continues to be visited for personal intentions.
A WhatsApp reservation is required before visiting, and the site provides helmets, boots, and lights for safety during the tour. Wear clothes that can get wet since wading through the underground river is necessary to access the deeper sections.
Specific mineral formations within the cave bear names like the Twin Towers and Leaning Tower of Pisa, reflecting how visitors and guides interpret these geological features. This naming reveals the blend of local and international references that shape how people experience the site.
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