While no one knows the original name of the cave, today it is called Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave from a Maya term meaning “Cave of the Stone Sepulcher”. Sometimes referred to as the Cave of the Stone Altar, ATM is a complex underground network of tunnels that lead to one of the most important historic sites ever discovered. Containing over 1,400 artifacts from the end of the Ancient Maya Empire that have lain undisturbed for more than a millennium, the ATM cave was once used by priests to conduct human sacrifices at a time of drought, warfare, and civil strife.

The entrance to ATM Cave is protected by a deep pool of cool water that visitors must traverse by swimming. Once inside, the cave opens up to a series of enormous stalactites and stalagmites. The first indication of the cave’s religious importance is a large stone altar carved from a stalactite with a stingray spine as its centerpiece, the altar or sepulcher that gave the cave system its current name. All around the altar lie potsherds, bone fragments, relics and other artifacts left behind by the Maya priests more than a thousand years ago.

Further in, towards what the Ancient Maya believed was the sacred nexus where the underworld of the gods connected to the world of men, lie the bones of the Crystal Maiden. This sacrificial victim, estimated to be a young adult in their 20s, has, over time, bonded with the minerals in the cave to acquire a glittery sheen. Nearby lie the remains of seven adult sacrificial victims as well as those of five children all under the age of 5. Thousands of fragmented pots and vessels are scattered near the bones, including some largely-intact pots and bowls that archeologists believe once held food offerings to appease the gods. Other artifacts include the obsidian blades that are believed to have been used in the solemn but gruesome human sacrifices conducted by Maya priests.

Archeologists have estimated that the ATM cave first became a site used by the Maya for religious purposes nearly 2,000 years ago. The most recent remains are dated to the Terminal-Classic Period (roughly 800 to 1000 AD), a time when the Maya heartland was suffering from severe drought and civil wars. Forgotten for more than a thousand years, the ATM cave was rediscovered in 1989 by local archeologists.

Due to the fragile nature of the artifacts within, only guides authorized by the Department of Archeology can access the ATM Cave. At Chabil Mar, we offer guests guided tours of this unique historical site in Belize. Our concierge would be very pleased to make those arrangements for a visit there for you.

In this blog post, we bring to you 20 amazing facts about beautiful Belize.

Belize Fact#1

Belize is the only Central American Country where English is the official language. Apart from English, there are many recognized regional languages: Kriol, Spanish, Garifuna, and Mayan.

Belize Fact#2

September 10 in Belize is celebrated as the National Day or St George’s Caye Day. On this day in 1798, Spanish forces were repelled by the British in the Battle of St George’s Caye, with no reported casualties on either side.

See also: 7 Reasons Why You Have to Travel to Belize this Summer

Belize Fact#3

Belize has a private enterprise economy that is largely dependent on agriculture, agro-based industry and merchandising. However tourism and construction and the recent discovery of oil field have presented new prospects for the country. The estimated GDP of the country is 1.354 billion dollars and the major trading partners are the United States of America, Mexico, Central America and the European Union.

Belize Fact#4

Belize obtained its independence from the United Kingdom on September 21, 1981. George Cadle Price was the first prime minister of Belize and he served from 12 September 1981 to 17 December 1984.

Belize Fact#5

The currency of Belize is Belize dollar and its ISO 3166 code is BZ. Since 1978, the official value is pegged at 2 BZD = 1 US dollar.

See also: Chabil Mar, Placencia’s Only Guest Exclusive Resort

Belize Fact#6

Belmopan is the capital of Belize and its name derives from the union of two words: “Belize” and “Mopan”. After the devastating Hurricane Hattie destroyed the former capital, Belize City, in 1961, the government was shifted to Belmopan in 1970.

Belize Fact#7

Belize has the only Jaguar reserve in the world which is known as Cockscomb Basin Wildlife sanctuary.

Belize Fact#8

The islands in Belize are called Cayes (pronounced “keys”) and total around 450 including those on the outer atolls.

Belize Fact#9

Belize has around 900 Maya temple sites.

Belize Fact#10

The largest city of Belize is located at the mouth of the river Belize River and is known as Belize City. It has an estimated population of 79,600 and is the main port and the industrial hub of the country. It was discovered in the mid-17th Century by British lumber harvesters and was the capital of British Honduras.

Belize Fact#11

The total land area of Belize is 8,867 square miles or 22,700 square kilometers.  The country’s greatest length, north to south, is 170 miles (274 km) and its greatest width, east to west, is 68 miles (109 km).  Using an offshore territorial limit of 20 km, the country covers 46,620 km2 (18,000 sq mi), of which only 49% is land.

See also: 25 Things You Need to Know Before You Travel to Placencia Belize

Belize Fact#12

Belize is in the Central Standard Time zone and does not observe daylight saving time.

Belize Fact#13

Belize is subtropical, with a mean annual temperature of 80^o F.

Belize Fact#14

The first people to inhabit Belize were the Maya around 1500 B.C.E. As shown in archeological records, they established a number of settlements such as Caracol, Lamanai and Lubaantun.

Belize Fact#15

Belize’s Black Howler Monkeys are one of the top 10 loudest animals in the world.

See also: 12 Incredible Belize Vacation Photos

Belize Fact#16

Some of the exotic names for Belize’s natural wonders include the Owl-Eye Butterfly, the Blue Morpho Butterfly, the Swallow Tail Cattle Heart Butterfly, the Peanut-Head Lantern Bug, the Red-footed Booby Bird, the Lady-of-the-Night Orchid and the False Vampire Bat.

Belize Fact#17

Close to 1 million tourists’ visit Belize annually of which 70% of are Americans.

Belize Fact#18

Belize is one of the least populated countries in the world.

Belize Fact#19

Ambergris Caye, which is 25 miles long, is Belize’s largest and most developed island.

Belize Fact#20

More than 400 species of fish live in the waters of Belize’s 185-mile long Barrier Reef.

Visit our website Chabilmarvillas.com for more information on Belize and Chabil Mar, and don’t hesitate to send us an email, or call & chat with us via WhatsApp Free Worldwide: +501-633-7547, Local: (011-501) 523-3606, if you have questions or need help in planning a Belize vacation.

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If this summer is your first opportunity to visit the amazing country of Belize, here are 10 breathtaking activities that you should really add to your bucket list:

1 – Explore an ancient Mayan Ruin

Belize was once the center of the enigmatic Mayan Empire. Today there are dozens of amazing sites to visit, complete with pyramids, temples and other buildings you can explore and climb.

2 – Snorkel or Dive at the Silk Caye Marine Reserve

Just offshore from Placencia, Silk Caye is loaded with colorful flora and fauna. Strap on your fins and see marine life at its finest.

3 – Check Out the Amazing Food

Skip the rice and beans and take a walk on the wild side. Try some roadside vendor mango slices, coconut fish stew (called hudut) or some stewed gibnut for some real local flavor.

4 – Work on your Tan in Placencia

The best beaches in Belize are on the Placencia Peninsula in the south. Perfect for swimming, sun tanning or simply relaxing .

5 – Visit the lush Jungle at Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and See a Waterfall

The verdant jungles at Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary are truly spectacular, bursting with exotic animals and plants and home to some unique and magnificent waterfalls.

6 – Experience Local Culture

Belize is truly a melting pot, a harmonious mix of people of Maya, Afro-Caribbean, Mexican, East Indian and European heritage. Visit a Mennonite town, learn to play the Garifuna drums or dance with the Maya.

7 – Check Out the Belize Barrier Reef

Even if you’re not a water person you can enjoy the most amazing coral reef in the Western Hemisphere. Head to one of the offshore islands where you can witness the Caribbean Sea majestically breaking over the reef.

8 – Visit the Coolest Zoo in the World

This is no prison for frightened animals to be gawked at by people. At the Belize Zoo, only indigenous and rescued animals are to be found in this unique sanctuary.

9 – Explore a Mayan Cave

The Maya believed that caves were a gateway to the spirit world. Today, you can take a guided tour on foot or ride an inner tube through the caves and marvel at their timeless majesty.

10 – Sail in a Boat

By water taxi, chartered boat or sea kayak, Belize is a fabulous place to get out on the water and enjoy the Caribbean at its finest.

Visit our website Chabilmarvillas.com for more information on Belize and Chabil Mar, and don’t hesitate to send us an email, or call & chat with us via WhatsApp Free Worldwide: +501-633-7547, Local: (011-501) 523-3606, if you have questions or need help in planning a Belize vacation.

Top Ten Things to Eat in Belize

Belizean culture and cuisine showcases a mixture of many regional traditions and food habits, with major influences from Mexican, Caribbean, and Mayan culinary methods. It seems the locals have adapted food and cooking techniques from many early settlers, including the cuisines of Spanish and African too. It can be hard to find a truly distinctive Belizean cuisine. However, the country surely offers a delightful culinary journey for all those who come here to enjoy some regional delicacies.

If you are looking forward to try some authentic Belizean flavors, then here are the top ten things to eat in Belize.

1. Chimole or Black Dinner

Chirmole which is also know as “Black Dinner” is a tasty black colored soup with roots in Maya and Mestizo cultures and is enjoyed throughout Belize.  (Photo by www.belizenewspost.com)

2. Sere

The Sere is a fish soup that consists of plantains, cassava, coconut milk and fry fish.

3. Rice and Beans

The Belizean Rice and beans is considered a creole dish and has been described as the “staple of Belize cuisine”. (Photo by www.belizenewspost.com)

4. Tamales

Belizean tamales are are a traditional Maya and Mestizo food and unlike the typical Mexican tamale, Belizean tamales are not wrapped in corn husks but are instead wrapped in plantain leaves. (Photo by Wikipedia)

5. Salbutes

Belizean salbutes  are deep fried and are topped with chopped cabbage, chicken, tomato, onion, (sometimes avocado), and Marie Sharp pepper. (Photo by Trip Advisor)

6.) Panades

Belizean panades are like empanadas which are filled with either fish  or red or black beans and is served with cabbage, onion and pepper salsa. ( Photo by: http://evetravels.wordpress.com/).

7.) Boil Up

Boil Up is a national dish in Belize and consists of boiled vegetables, egg, fish and bread dumpling (boiled dough). Hence its name. (Photo by Wikipedia).

8. Pibil

Pibil is a traditional Belizean cuisine of Maya origin. ( Photo  by http://www.kaanabelize.com)

9. Cow Foot Soup

Cow Foot Soup is made from cowfeet that is simmered and slow cooked to render a thick soup along with black pepper, cilantro, carrots, onions, okra, and potatoes and is served with either corn tortillas or white rice and can be accompanied with onion and habanero pepper sauce. ( Photo by Trip Advisor)

10. Tamalitos or Ducunu

Tamalitos are tasty mini tamales that are made of corn and are a traditional Mestizo food.

Visit our website Chabilmarvillas.com for more information on Belize and Chabil Mar, and don’t hesitate to send us an email, or call & chat with us via WhatsApp Free Worldwide: +501-633-7547, Local: (011-501) 523-3606, if you have questions or need help in planning a Belize vacation.
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