Actun Tunichil Muknal, Archaeological cave in San Ignacio, Belize.
The Actun Tunichil Muknal cave system extends three miles through limestone formations, containing underground rivers and prehistoric chambers filled with ancient artifacts.
Ancient Maya people used this cave extensively between 700 and 900 AD for ceremonies, leaving numerous pottery pieces and skeletal remains throughout the chambers.
The cave contains the calcified skeleton known as the Crystal Maiden, along with multiple ceramic vessels featuring ceremonial kill holes from Maya religious practices.
Visitors must join guided tours that include a 45-minute jungle walk, river crossings, and cave swimming, while wearing protective gear provided by licensed operators.
The cave holds one of only four Monkey Pots discovered in Central America, making it an exceptional repository of Maya ceremonial artifacts.
Location: San Ignacio
GPS coordinates: 17.18988,-88.49765
Latest update: May 27, 2025 08:39
Belize protects over 300 miles of the second largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and a substantial number of pre-Columbian Maya sites, many located deep within rainforests. The country combines marine protected areas, archaeological remains, and extensive nature reserves within a relatively compact territory. Visitors can explore the Great Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef, a circular sinkhole roughly 1,000 feet (305 meters) across and 410 feet (125 meters) deep, one day and walk through the ruins of Caracol the next, the country's largest Maya site with pyramids rising over 140 feet (43 meters). The islands of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker provide direct access to the reef and stretches of sandy shoreline. The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary preserves approximately 150 square miles (390 square kilometers) of rainforest as a protected area for jaguars and other mammals. Underwater protected areas like Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve safeguard coral gardens, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests that support marine life. Archaeological sites such as Xunantunich, Lamanai, and Altun Ha showcase different building styles and periods of Maya civilization. Actun Tunichil Muknal cave combines geological formations with archaeological artifacts and is accessed by wading through underground rivers. The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve offers pine forests, waterfalls, and limestone formations in the western highlands.
Belize Barrier Reef
48 km
British Army Training Support Unit Belize
44.3 km
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
43.5 km
Belize Zoo
19 km
Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve
50.6 km
Victoria Peak
44 km
Swing Bridge
47.4 km
St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park
20.3 km
Barton Creek Cave
46.6 km
Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary
59.7 km
Baron Bliss Light
47.5 km
Guanacaste National Park
31.8 km
Museum of Belize
47.9 km
National Assembly Building of Belize
30.1 km
FFB Stadium
31.5 km
Thousand Foot Falls
40.1 km
Bliss Institute
47.3 km
Big Rock Falls
53.6 km
Norman Broaster Stadium
60.9 km
Che Chem Ha Cave
63 km
Carl Ramos Stadium
38.1 km
Hawkesworth Bridge
60.8 km
English Caye Light
50.1 km
Kendall Bridge
43.6 km
Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve
16.3 km
Robinson Point Light
37.8 km
Green Iguana Conservation Project
60.8 km
Government House
46.8 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes