Millions of years ago, the majority of the landmass of Belize was covered by an extensive and shallow tropical sea. Limestone, a rock formed of calcium carbonate was one of the major rock types deposited in the sea. This limestone can be origin either from biological materials like dead corals and mollusks, or in some cases the limestone can be precipitated directly from the seawater.

“ATM is a relative newcomer to Belize’s Maya attractions, but word of mouth has steadily increased interest in it in recent years,” Mr Waight said, “It’s certainly one of the most captivating things I’ve experienced anywhere, and without exception our guests return from excursions to the cave completely amazed. It’s an experience that’s difficult to put into words,” he said.

Joe Awe, who is Chaa Creek’s Mayanist at the eco resort’s Belize Natural History Centre, said he fears contemporary Maya culture is being overlooked as the spotlight is put on their ancestors during the 2012 Maya Winter Solstice celebrations taking part throughout the “Mundo Maya” or Maya world, as Belize and parts of Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador are known.

“Mayanists, archaeologists, anthropologists and other researchers love the Maya caves of Belize because they contain such rich, well preserved examples of the Maya’s spiritual rituals. I think it’s great that we’re now seeing more mainstream interest in the caves as they really open up another aspect of this incredibly rich culture, ” Mr Awe said, adding that ATM tours through Chaa Creek are all conducted with the highest regard for safety, education and cultural respect for the Maya.

Adventuring in Belize by Amelia Thomas – Lonely Planet Author
Galloping along Central American mountain trails, accompanied only by the thrum of hooves and the occasional flash of a toucan among the trees, might just be one of the world’s top ways to start your morning. But incredibly, in lovely, lush Belize, where eco-slanted adventure travel is king, the day gets even better from here.

I’M LUCKY. I have the best job in the world and it comes with offices scattered all over Belize. Best of all, you get to come along. One of my offices sits 140 feet in the sky at Ox Witz Ha (Place of Three Hills) and was built by some of the oldest construction workers in the world, the ancient Maya. I am on the top of Caana (Sky Palace) in the Maya city now known as Caracol.

Visiting Belize can be a lot of fun. Some of the most interesting and beautiful caves in the world are located there. Like most of Central America, Belize once had a large Mayan population. Remnants of their social and spiritual lives can still be found intact inside magnificent caves with underground waterfalls and fantastic mineral growths. Cavers and intrepid tourists need only hire an experienced, licensed guide to show them an underground world they will never forget. The combination of mythology, geology and artistry are unmatched anywhere in the world.

People we meet along the way are my favorite aspect of travel. Last year we spent Christmas in paradise camping in the jungle at the Macal River Camp. With our sons at the ages of 18 and 21, we weren’t sure how many more family vacations we would have with them. We wanted to make it a special Christmas and felt our best gift to them would be a greater sense of this big blue planet. So we chose Belize and specifically Chaa Creek.

Beyond the lush natural setting, luxurious accommodations, proximity to cultural wonders and wide variety of activities, we also greatly respect and admire Chaa Creek’s commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation. A trip to your resort would enable us to set foot in a pristine natural environment, while knowing we’re being responsible about our environmental footprint.

From the days when I would run around the creek behind my house, and build tree houses, and rope swings. To the time I moved to Hawai’i to swim with sharks and study biology. I have spent my short life doing my best to make it an adventure. 
Now I find myself on the brink of my greatest adventure to date marriage. Spending the rest of my life with someone else is bigger than all the tree houses and shark cages …