Although the cave is relatively near to San Ignacio, the only road leading out of the town to the site is a bumpy and rural road that crosses a part of the Mopan River. In any case, a guide is required in order to have access to the caves, so taking a package tour with one of the licensed tour companies in San Ignacio would be the best option. Reputable tour companies offering the Actun Tunichil Muknal tour include: Katun Ahaw Tours (http://belizeculturetours.com), Mayatour (http://www.mayatour.com/), Pacz Tours (http://www.pacztours.net/) and Eva's (http://www.evasonline.com), each only several steps from the others in the heart of San Ignacio. There are also a number of US tour operators who offer the ATM cave. These companies work with local, licensed guides: Adventure Life (http://www.adventure-life.com/), Intrepid (http://www.intrepidtravel.com/) and Wildland Adventures. During Belize's wet season late June-August, the cave maybe flooded and unavailable for travelers.
The cave is located in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. To reach the cave, requires an easy 45-minute hike into the jungle. The entrance to the cave is shaped like an hour glass and is flooded with water. Travelers need to be prepared to get wet, and remain relatively wet to damp during their time in the cave. The cave system consists of a series of chambers, ending at "The Cathedral" where sacrificial ceremonies once took place. Here 14 skeletal remains have been found, and numerous examples of ancient Mayan pottery remain. It takes roughly 1 1/2 to 2 hours to reach "The Cathedral," so travellers should be prepared to be in the cave for 4 to 6 hours. Quick-dry clothing is recommended, as most guides will insist on shorts and a shirt, as a sign of respect. This is a very sacred site. Sandals are not allowed in ATM for safety reasons. Travelers must remove their shoes, and must wear socks while in "The Cathedral" to protect the site from oils on the skin. Guides typically carry dry packs to keep personal items such as cameras protected from the water. In some locations, the only source of light is from helmets required for entrance and/or flashlights. Guides should supply these items.
