Guatemala Guide
Petén
Naj Tunich caves
The limestone hills surrounding Poptún are riddled with caves and coated in lush tropical forest. One of the largest caves contains an underground river and waterfall that you can swim through (if you don't mind leaping into a chilly pool in total darkness); walking trips to this cave system are organized by Finca Ixobel. The most impressive, however, is the remote Naj Tunich or "Stone House", 23km down a rough track from Poptún close to the Belizean border, which has some of the finest cave art of the Maya World, dating back to 100 BC. Due to the fragility of the site, it's not possible to see the original cave paintings, but some fine replicas have been created 400m from the original cave, which you can visit.
Caves were sacred to the ancient Maya, who believed them to be entrances to Xibalbá, the dreaded underworld, and Naj Tunich was one of the most revered sites and a place of pilgrimage. Local artists have re-created some of the extensive hieroglyphic texts, depictions of religious ceremonies and the ball game, as well as the graphic erotic scenes thought to be unique to this site.