The cave system and archaeological site Aktún Usil are seldom explored by all but the most adventurous visitors to the Yucatán.
This relative obscurity likely has much to do with the fact that the site is managed by a local cooperative and receives little to no promotion.
Though the cave and the remains of this ancient city have been researched by INAH, its structures, save for what was once an elite residential complex on the side of the highway, still need to be restored.
Aktún Usil’s location, architecture, and period of occupation suggest strong links with the Puuc stronghold of Oxkintok, famous for its labyrinth and grand pyramids.
When approaching Aktún Usil, visitors likely notice a handful of restored artificial platforms sitting discreetly between the lanes on the highway.
At the exit to the Aktún Usil, the aforementioned restored elite residence complex sits atop a large artificial platform. Just beyond it, several signs point to the destination.
Once you arrive at the entrance to Aktún Usil, there is a gate. Calling the numbers listed on the “no entrance” notice summons the site’s caretakers.
Once inside, a windy stone path leads to the cave network itself, alive with the sound of chirping birds, dripping water, and large, scampering toloks (iguanas).
The cave network at Aktún Usil is truly beautiful and makes for a fantastic opportunity to get some interesting photographs.
Unlike other cave systems such as Lol-tún or Calcehtok, access and moving around in Aktún Asil is fairly easy, but you still better watch your step.
Inside the caves, you will notice that the walls are covered in a plethora of colors created by mineral formations, as well as plenty of stalactites, stalagmites, and several other interesting geological formations.
But aside from the beautiful geological formations, what really makes this cave system stand out is the large amount of Prehispanic carvings and petroglyphs found in its interior.
Inside the caves, several shards of ceramic and some well-preserved stone vessels were likely used to collect the water that seems to filter through the cave’s limestone structure all year.
Also of interest are a series of handprints painted on the cave’s walls, using the same negative painting technique found at many other sites.
There are also a handful of interesting carved petroglyphs carved into the cave walls, though they are badly eroded, which is unsurprising.
Guides at the site are also likely to point out what they identify as sculptures. Still, given the erosion of time and the high humidity inside the caves, it is hard to tell if these are genuine sculptures or just stone formations that vaguely resemble turtles, crocodiles, and the like. That said, they may be of ancient origin.
Outside the caves, you will also notice several large mounts of stone, which are the remains of ancient structures.
Unrestored mounds can be found just about everywhere in the area. The presence of carved stone and ceramic is a dead giveaway of their ancient origin.
If you go
Aktún Usil is in Mexico’s Yucatán state, roughly an hour south of Mérida, along the highway to Campeche.
Finding the exit to the site is easy, though the first section of the highway is a little tricky as it’s just made up of gravel. Fortunately, the road gets much better fast.
The members of the ejido that maintains Aktún Usil have done a marvelous job of keeping the grounds and receive no support from the government. It is appropriate to thank them with at least a couple hundred pesos.
