Actún Can, Cave system in Santa Elena de la Cruz, Guatemala

Actún Can is a cave system beneath the surface near Lake Petén Itzá with several chambers and interconnected passages. The structure displays natural limestone formations shaped by water moving through the rock over many years.

The cave shows evidence of ancient Maya activity, with artifacts and ritual spaces discovered through archaeological work. These findings indicate the site held religious and cultural importance for the people who lived here long ago.

The name Actún Can means "snake rock" or "snake cave" in Maya, and a map of the caves at the entrance shows the design of a snake. Maya people came to the grottoes at certain times of the year to perform rites and celebrations. Outside, the trees are individually labelled with their names.

The cave is best visited during drier months when conditions inside are more comfortable for walking through. Tours depart from Santa Elena de la Cruz, and it helps to wear sturdy shoes and bring a flashlight for the darker passages.

The cave is known for specific limestone formations created when mineral-rich water seeped through the rock over thousands of years. These slow natural processes shaped unusual features that make this system different from many other caves in the region.