General Information
As noted before, you must have an approved guide to enter. This cave is entered via canoes and you must have an approved guide to enter. The reason is to help protect the cave. The natural formations are fragile and the artifacts are irreplaceable. Lights, life jackets and canoes are supplied at the site. During the trip, there are tight areas for the boat and we did have to sit on the bottom of the boat and lay back to maneuver under the formations.
While we were there, a group of cavers and divers who were staying at the Maya Mountain Lodge finished mapping the cave. Their documentation helps the archeology department to know what they have and what they will need to protect. They shared some of their photos with us, which was a very amazing and unique experience we will remember forever.
The Cave
We are not going to lie and tell you we know a lot about cave formations. We know close to nothing. Basically stalactites hang from the ceiling, and stalagmites grow from the floor. They are made via dripping water. It is just really cool. We included a few photos of some interesting formations
On this trip, very few artifacts can be seen compared to what may exist in the cave system. Only a short part of the cave is traveled, and some items displayed were moved in position to be seen from the boats. The artifacts consist of some pots and a skull.
Getting There
Most people organize a guide for this trip though their hotel or an agency in San Ignacio. To drive there, take the western highway to Chiquibul Road and then turn at some unknown point and drive through water. Perhaps a Lonely Planet may give better information. We used a guide through Mayan Mountain Lodge. He has worked as an archaeologist for years and has helped with this particular site.