CAVES IN BELIZE AND THE MAYA

Begin your journey back through time as you enter the amazing realm of Belize's cave-systems, with a chance to learn more about the mysterious ancient Maya civilization and geological processes that shaped the region.

Millions of years ago, seeping rainwater combined along with underground rivers, began etching pathways through the soft bedrock and outcrops. The lime rock matrix that makes up much of the country's landmass is riddled with caves and streams.  Some of the most spectacular and extensive cave systems on the planet are found beneath the surface of Belize.

One might expect to find dank and claustrophobic passageways, but you will most likely encounter enormous chambers and a subterranean world that is fast becoming one of Belize's most popular attractions. Underground rivers flow through a number of caves.  Some can be explored by kayak, canoe or rubber boat, others are popular for tubing or wading through with headlamps.

Caves are inextricably bound up with the history of Belize, having been fundamental to the religion of the Maya. Vapor clouds forming at the mouth of caves suggested to the Maya that these were the places where wind and clouds were born. Here dwell the gods of nature and caves where the portal between the tangible human world and the invisible world of gods coincides, a place called Xibalba.  Xibalba (or Metnal) serves as the home of powerful gods, and both places are a combination of death and creation.  Deities reside in these mysterious sacred places and it was expected that the people would provide ritual offerings.  In these caves, offerings such as corn, chili pepper, cacao seeds, and pine needles have been found.  Some caves have evidence of copal (incense) being burned.  Most of the sites also contain implements that were used for hunting, tilling of the soil, and the processing of corn.  The ultimate gift, however, was the offering of one's own blood or human lives.  Some of the cave sites contain skeletal remains of victims who were offered in sacrifice to the powerful dwellers of the underworld.  These caves are Actun Tunichil Muknal and Crystal Cave.

There are very few caves that do not have some visible signs of past visitation by the Maya.  Evidence of their activities can often be found for substantial distances inside these caves. Relics, principally in the form of shards of pottery, are very common.