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At once an adventurous site to seek out and an important spot in terms of Mayan culture, Actun Tunichip Muknal (or the Cave of the Crystal Sepulchre, Xibalba, or ATM) is a popular attractions near San Ignacio. The site is best seen with the help of a tour guide, so make sure to seek one out if you aren't already going on a tour of the area that includes a trip into the cave.
ATM is particularly interesting to visitors because of the numerous ceramics, stoneware, and skeletons found on site. The ceramics seem to mark "kill holes" which tells scientists that this was a ceremonial site for the Mayans were sacrifices likely took place, hence the skeletons. Once such skeleton, which has been calcified so that it has a crystallized appearance is known as the Crystal Maiden and has been found to be the bones of a teenage girl.
Many people also visit the cave for the wealth of animal life that exists within including tropical fish, freshwater crabs, crayfish, catfish, predatory spiders, agouti, otters, and Belize.
Actun Tunichil Muknal is situated in Central Belize, in Belize; it's 12 miles (19 and a half kilometers) to the south west of Belmopan.
The cave is located on the property of the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve near San Ignacio, Cayo District.
There are numerous dining options to choose from in the community around the cave. The most convenient restaurant to Actun Tunichil Muknal is Calico Jack's, which serves Belizean food. It's maybe around three and a half miles away, so grab a table and peruse the menu. Hidden Valley Inn Restaurant and Gumbolimbo Village Restaurant are some more restaurant options close to this page's attraction. At Gumbolimbo Village Restaurant you will want to test out International cuisine and enjoy the culture of Belize.
Other types of nearby activities include Hidden Valley Falls, which is five miles away Central Belize. Also consider checking out Green Hills Butterfly Farm, which is another attraction close by.
If a visit to the Actun Tunichil Muknal isn't enough to keep you busy all afternoon, the most nearby attractions are in the following table.
| Attraction | Type | Distance | Direction | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden Valley Falls | GeoFeature | 5.1 mi. (22.7 km) | SE | 14.1 mi. South-Southwest of Belmopan |
| Green Hills Butterfly Farm | Other Attraction | 5.7 mi. (12.7 km) | W | 7.9 mi. East-Southeast of San Ignacio |
| San Antonio Waterfall | GeoFeature | 8.5 mi. (9.4 km) | W | 5.8 mi. Southeast of San Ignacio |
| Garcia Sisters Tanah Mayan Art Museum | Other Attraction | 9.1 mi. (10.0 km) | W | 6.2 mi. Southeast of San Ignacio |
The cave often closes in the rainy season when rain causes the water level of the river to rise and there is a danger of flooding the cave.
In order to minimize the impact of people walking through such a historically significant plot of land, visitors are asked to remove their shoes and socks before walking through the upper dry chamber. Additionally, cameras are not allowed into the cave unless prior permission has been given since a tourist dropped a camera on a skill and broke it.
Location: Central Belize, Belize
http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-crystal-maiden-of-the-actun-tunichil-muknal-cave
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