lamanai mayan ruins and speedboat safari

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Lamanai Maya Ruins and Speed Boat Safari - Lamanai Belize Tours

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We loved our day trip to Lamanai with Elio and his team. They were responsive, punctual and super... read more

We got a fairly late start because the cruise ship wouldn't let us on the tender boat until an hour... read more

Lamanai Maya Ruins and Speed Boat Safari

We took this excursion from Royal Carribean's Rhapsody of the Seas on March 1, 2018. Ships cannot dock at this location, so it was necessary to take a fairly long tender ride from the ship to the port. The tour was clearly marked with signs as we disembarked from the tender. We boarded a bus and traveled for a little over an hour through Belize City and the surrounding countryside. The bus dropped us off at an outpost on a river. A speedboat then took us on a 20 minute ride to a park where the Mayan ruins are located. We walked for a pretty good distance in the park and visited the ruins of three Mayan temples. I would not suggest this excursion for people with disabilities or who would tire easily on a hike. We were able to climb to the top of one of the temples. Again, not everyone in our group was able to make the optional climb. The speedboat returned us to the river outpost where we had lunch and the bus then returned us to the port. Our tour guide, Adolfo, was very energetic and clearly loved his job. He provided us with a great deal of information and kept us on schedule throughout the day. He also hooked us up with wi-fi on the bus ride back to the port, which was nice for those of us who had been out of touch for a few days. Younger children may not find this tour to be interesting due to the extensive travel time to and from the site. Also, there would not be an opportunity to spend much time at the port because of the amount of time needed for the tour. All-in-all, I would recommend this tour for healthy adults.

Booked and Lamanai Tour with speed boat ride on Feb 9th from Royal Carribean Cruise ship. We took a 1 and 1/2 house bus ride to a beautiful boat dock and bar. Got on a 40 person speed boat and it took 25 min to the ruins. The bus ride did not seem that long. The tour guides David Brown and the other one I can't remember, it started with alto something. They were very knowledgeable about Belize and gave us all kinds of historical information and knowledge about Belize. We toured the ruins and even saw hollaring monkeys. We came back to the boat dock and had lunch waiting for us. Chicken, plantains, rice, potato salad, beans. and fruit punch. all was very good. we didn't have a lot of time, we had to get back to the last tender for the ship. It was a awesome experience.

Just returned from the Lamanai excursion with Roberto as our guide. From start to finish this was an excellent day. Roberto was very accommodating, picking us up at the airport and keeping us entertained with anecdotes on the ride to the boat. At the ruins, his knowledge and enthusiasm for the history of the Mayan world brought the archaeological site to life. Would highly recommend to anyone visiting Belize. Ask for Roberto!

Really enjoyed our trip with Lamanai Belize Tours. Julian was our guide and he made every effort to look after us. Enjoyed the boat trip during which Julian made sure to stop the boat frequently to point out birds, fauna and our headliner, the freshwater crocodile. Julian gave us a good historical overview of the temples and pointed out interesting trees, plants and found us some howler monkeys too. Nice small group of 9 people which was perfect. Food great too.

I booked the trip from Belize city to Lamanai for a group of 6 people through e-mail when we went on a cruise. When I got to the terminal of Belize city, the Lamanai Belize Tour people were waiting there holding a board with my name on it. They drove us to the new river where we took a speed boat to Lamanai. The tour took about 90min. We had lunch on our way back to the port terminal. The trip was in a hurry but it was a good one. The tour people are nice and responsible. I definitely recommend the tour to cruise passengers.

I visited Lamanai in a group of six with Julian as our guide. Julian picked us up in Belize City and after driving for about an hour arrived at our departure point at the New River. We paid Elio and boarded a boat with Julian as our sole boat operator and guide. As we were getting ready to depart a police officer arrived at the boat and told him he needed a second person from his tour company to be on the boat. Julian disembarked the boat to talk to the police officer and Elio. Five minutes later two different people from the tour company boarded our boat and informed us that they will be the ones to take us to Lamanai and Julian will join us there. Julian could not drive the boat because he didn't have his boat operator's license with him. Julian boarded another company boat with tourists going to Lamanai and both boats departed at the same time for Lamanai. After a couple of miles and away from the eyes of the police officer the two boats neared each other and switched crews. Yes, we got Julian back. From that point on Julian raced to our destination. Once there, there was no insight, no information. The Jaguar Temple ... looks like a Jaguar don't you see it? The High Temple ... I will watch your backpacks you walk to the top. The Mask Temple ....the mask you see has been placed in front of the original. Lunch of chicken, rice and beans was served at about noon. After lunch we went to the boat and raced back to our destination. We arrived in Belize City two hours later. If you plan to use this company make sure you read on your own about the site you are visiting because all you are getting is a driver.

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• Belize Lamanai Mayan Ruins and Jungle River Safari Excursion with Lunch S3744

Belize Lamanai Mayan Ruins and Jungle River Safari Excursion with Lunch

Belize, belize city (excursion id s3744).

• Free Cancellation Until 24 hours Before Excursion
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• Complimentary Worry Free Back to ship Insurance!
• Duration 7 hours 30 min
• Activity Level Moderate
• Minimum Age 3 Years Old
• Languages EN

Description

• Meeting Point
• Restrictions

Cancellation

• Round-trip transportation from your Belize cruise tender pier!
• Air-conditioned, fully licensed, and insured transportation!
• English-speaking certified shore excursion guide!
• Entrance fee and guided excursion of Lamanai Mayan Ruins!
• Boat ride down the New River!
• Panoramic sightseeing thru Belize City!
• Delicious Belizean lunch!
• Complimentary cold bottled water!
• Car seats are available upon request at no extra cost!

A great combo of history and adventure as you see the countryside of Belize and learn about the ancient Mayan city of Lamanai. Get out and enjoy the country with a boat ride, a hike, and a delicious Belizean lunch.

You'll meet your guide outside of your Belize cruise ship terminal and board your van to travel 49 miles north, about an hour, to the district of Orange Walk. You'll learn about the various cultures that make up Belize today including the Mennonites who were welcomed into Belize due to their farming skills; Mestizos, born of the union of the indigenous Maya and the Spanish; and Creole, a culture resulting from the intermingling of white European masters with their African slaves. All live in harmony in Belize. Your guide will point out the communities and give you some of their histories as you head north toward Lamanai.

At the end of the road, you will reach the landing where you will board the boat to start your river journey. There will be facilities available for your use before getting on the boat. The Lamanai Mayan temple is located in the rainforest on the New River Lagoon. The river cruise of 25 miles allows you to see the various flora and fauna indigenous to the area. You can see birds like Belted Kingfishers, Great White Herons, Little Blue Herons, Brown Pelicans, Frigates, Cormorants, Ospreys, Plovers, Pipers, and Terns. The river is lined with wetlands and swamps where you can find a vast array of flora including flowering orchids, Ficus, the sacred Mayan ceiba tree, and the fast-growing Trumpet Tree. This river is home to crocodiles, Howler monkeys, and iguanas as well as a variety of other fauna. Your guide will tell you about the medicinal plants used for trade in the past and still used in medicines today.

When you reach the boat dock at the ruins, you'll be served a delicious local lunch of rice and beans cooked in coconut milk, chicken stew, fried plantains, and coleslaw. A vegetarian option is available upon request when you book. After your lunch, you will start the hike to the ruins themselves. As you traverse the rainforest you'll see more birds, monkeys, and a rich variety of plants. The Lamanai site is one of the oldest continuously occupied Maya communities in Belize, from about 1500 BC to 1680 AD. The site consists of 100 minor structures, a ball court, and 12 major buildings making it one of the largest. You'll see the ball court, where they played the Mayan game of "poc-ta-poc", the Mask Temple, which has two huge carved limestone masks flanking the main stairway;  the Temple of the Mayan Sun God; the Temple of the Jaguar Masks, named for the 2 jaguar faces at the base;  the High Temple, named for its height and the Royal Complex.

These well-preserved ruins are a must-see and you'll have about 1.5 hours at the site.  After your exploration of the highlights of the ruins, you'll be taken back to your Belize tender terminal.

What is included?

• Round-trip transportation from your Belize cruise ship tender pier.
• Air-conditioned, fully licensed, and insured transportation.
• English-speaking certified Belize shore excursion guide.
• Entrance fee and guided excursion of Lamanai Mayan Ruins.
• Boat ride down the New River.
• Panoramic sightseeing of Belize City.
• Delicious Belizean lunch.
• Complimentary cold bottled water.

Excursion Notes

• Please try to take the first or second tender off the ship to be at the meeting location on time so you do not forfeit your reservation. If there are any time issues, please contact the local operator.
• You are part of a group. If there is a delay with other members of the group, there may be a delay of up to 1 hour.
• We suggest you bring sun protection, bug spray, light-color comfortable clothing, long pants or cargo shorts/pants and walking-type shoes, bring cash for tips, additional food or beverages, shopping, etc.
• Please note that no tripods or professional movie cameras are allowed inside the ruins. Professional cameras will be charged a $50.00 USD fee at the ruins.
• Departure time is approximate.
• Car seats are available upon request at no extra cost.

Where we meet

For the Belize Lamanai Mayan Ruins and Jungle River Safari Excursion with Lunch, you will meet outside your Belize cruise tender terminal, all necessary details will be printed on your Electronic Shore Excursion Ticket.

Excursion Restrictions

• This Belize Lamanai Mayan Ruins and Jungle River Safari Excursion with Lunch is not wheelchair accessible.
• Underage children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times.

Excursion FAQ

• Your ship arrives into port late and you cannot make it in time to the meeting location (we will verify with the tour operator).
• Your ship skips/misses the port.
• Weather conditions or equipment failure prevents the operator from running the excursion.
• A medical problem prevents you from safely participating in the excursion (we will verify with the excursion operator and the guest may send doctor's note). This applies to individuals only and not the remainder of the group.
• Cancellations/deposit refund requests that do not comply with the above may not be subject to refund.
• Refunds may be subject to a service charge fee as determined by the payment processor, please refer to Terms and Conditions for more information.

Book this Belize Excursion

Belize Lamanai Mayan Ruins and Jungle River Safari Excursion with Lunch Experiences

This excursion is available to everybody and specially designed to accommodate passengers of the following cruise lines.

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Belize Lamanai Mayan Ruins and Jungle River Safari Excursion with Lunch Reviews

Combo of history and adventure as you see the countryside of Belize and learn about the ancient Mayan city of Lamanai on this Mayan Ruins shore excursion and river safari fun. Get out and enjoy the country with a boat ride, a hike, and a delicious Belizean lunch!

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Belize Lamanai Mayan Ruins Excursion and Belize New River Boat tour

Belize cruise excursions.

Lamanai Excursion:

$115usd Passengers 11yrs of age and older.

$100us Children 5yrs to 10yrs of age.

Includes lunch!

• Reserve 11 adults or more and you Tour FREE as the Group Leader!

The Belize Lamanai Mayan Ruins Excursion is easily considered one of the best excursions in Belize for various reasons.

This Belize City Excursion is simply magical.  Lamanai is one of the largest Mayan sites in Belize, expanding over a vast expanse on the Belize New River. The Lamanai Mayan Center holds over 800 structures deep in the Tropical Forest.

Lamanai (Submerged Crocodile in Mayan) was occupied as early as 1500bc. The small onsite museum where your Lamanai exploration begins once on the site holds precious artifacts spanning well over 2000 years of Mayan history.

“Getting to Lamanai is half the fun!”. Your Lamanai Mayan Ruins Exploration Excursions start at the Port of Belize City. You will be transported in a comfortable air-conditioned van 1hr North to the Orange Walk District of Belize.

The drive will lead you across rivers and vast expanses of land, providing you with a true Belizean Country tour.

You will arrive at the Tower Hill Bridge, where you will board your boat for a spectacular boat ride upriver. C ontinuing on your journey to Lamanai, the boat tour is by far the highlight of the excursions! (Except for the Lamanai Ruins, of course, but you will have to flip a coin…..)

You will travel through miles of virgin river fauna, viewing majestic trees with overhanging air plants and colorful Orchids. Spider Monkeys are often encountered on the Excursion.

The boat ride is a wonderful opportunity for wildlife spotting, with 100 + varieties of tropical birds and occasional freshwater crocodiles floating near the river’s edge.

Your boat will dock at the Lamanai Welcome Center, where your exploration will begin.

Your tour begins with a visit to the On-site Museum, which contains Mayan Artifacts discovered during the site excavation and history of Lamanai.

Well-kept paths through the rainforest will lead you to the monuments and Temples.  H owler Monkeys  relaxing on many of the huge Ceiba trees can be seen over much of the site.  Toucans are ever-present, as well as countless other bird species.

The Lamanai Mayan Ruins exploration will be approximately 2hrs. Guiding you to the Ball Court, the Jaguar Temple, and the Lag Temple where you are able to climb The Lag Temple of Lamanai 125 feet to the top and gain an unforgettable view of the whole Lamanai Mayan Ruins. The view of the New River Lagoon and the vast Lamanai Archeology Reserve is spectacular.

During your Lamanai Mayan Ruins Tour, you will have a chance to relax and enjoy a wonderful Belizean lunch included in your tour.

Excursion Highlights

• Stunning and thrilling boat ride to Lamanai on the Belize New River.
• Belize Rainforest walk from Temple to Temple.
• Howler Monkeys, Spider Monkeys, Crocodiles..... and more!
• 5.5 to 6hrs including transport depending on your Ship's shore times.
• Belizean Lunch Included.
• All transportation, including pick up and return to Belize Tourism Village at the Belize Cruise Ship Terminal.
• Fully Guided tour Port to Port.

Please Note

The minimum age to participate is 5 years of age.

The Lamanai Excursion is not wheelchair accessible.

The Lamanai Ruins require approximately a 2hrs visit. Walking is required, please plan accordingly.

The Main Temple is now accessed by a side staircase, no rope climbing required!

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Lamanai Mayan Ruins

Lamanai Mayan Ruins means “Submerged Crocodile” in Mayan language. This helps to explain the the several crocodile motifs at the site.

Explore Lamanai

Lamanai Mayan Ruins is situated in northern Belize on the banks of the new river lagoon, and is one of the largest Mayan cities in the country. Crocodile sculptures appear on vessel decorations, figurines, and on the limestone mask at one of the principal structures at the Mayan site.

Lamanai boasts 1 of the 3 tallest Mayan structures in Belize , suitably called “High Temple”, which stands 108 feet tall. The Mayans were so skilled, that they designed the archaeological area in the shape of a crocodile and its head can be seen towering the Belizean jungle from the air. The ruin dates back to 200 BC and has history up to the last century.

Only about 5% of the Mayan site has been investigated and much has been left un-excavated. However, archaeologists do know that structures were built on top of other structures, with the older structures frequently at least partially razed, sometimes leaving masks and other ornamental features from the older buildings in odd places in the new buildings, such as in stairwells.

Only about 5% of the site has been investigated and much remains buried or covered by jungle and bush.

The Mayan site is accessed by boat on a river safari. You will be able to sight different birds and spider monkeys on this tour.

Tour Details

Lamanai Mayan Ruins tours from $80 USD per person

Lamanai Mayan Ruin tours leave at 8am sharp

What To Bring

Sunscreen, camera, and an adventurous spirit!

Do you prefer a Belize diving tour? We offer it too!

Photos of the lamanai tour:, book your caracol tour.

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Lamanai Ruins: The Mayan Mask Temple Of Belize

The Lamanai ruins in Belize are some of the most fascinating Mayan ruins in Central America, complete with a ‘Mask Temple’ that has giant stone faces carved into the foundation. It looks like something from Indiana Jones!

Lamanai means ‘submerged crocodile’ and this area on the riverside was settled by the Mayans for thousands of years. Excavation was only started in the 1970s, and continues today. Some of the temples are even open for climbing, so you can get panoramic views from the top!

You can visit Lamanai pretty easily on a day trip from places like Orange Walk, Belize City, or even San Pedro in Ambergris Caye. Along the way, you get to enjoy a river boat ride through the jungle, with the sounds of tropical birds and howler monkeys in the tree tops.

This travel guide will explain how to get to Lamanai Belize, what to see at the Mayan ruins, best tour packages to use, and everything else you need to know before you go!

Table of Contents show 1) Best Lamanai Tours 2) Where Is Lamanai Located? How To Get There 3) Lamanai Ruins: What To Expect 4) • Jaguar Temple 5) • High Temple 6) • Mask Temple 7) • Entrance Fees* 8) • Opening Hours 9) Sample Lamanai Tour Itinerary 10) History of Lamanai 11) Best Time To Visit The Lamanai Ruins 12) Is Lamanai Safe? 13) Other Tips For Lamanai Belize 14) Is Lamanai Worth It? 15) More Central America Travel Tips  

Best Lamanai Tours

One of the best ways to visit Lamanai is with a day tour package.

If you’re coming from Belize City or the cruise port, Viator has a high-rated Lamanai tour with a river boat cruise, wildlife watching, and all of the best Mayan temples of the area.

The price includes a local Belizean guide and driver, lunch, park fees, and pickup and drop-off from Belize City hotels, the cruise port, or the airport.

We’ve used Viator for lots of tours and activities around the world, and they’re great. Highly recommended!

Book Now: Lamanai Tour From Belize City / Cruise Port

Where Is Lamanai Located? How To Get There

Lamanai is located in northern Belize, near the New River, and you can get there by either car or boat.

The closest significant town is Orange Walk, but you can also visit Lamanai on a day trip from anywhere in northern Belize, including Belize City, Ladyville, Los Lagos, Caye Caulker, or San Pedro in Ambergris Caye.

If you’re driving to Lamanai with a car, it’s about 1 hour from Orange Walk town, or more than 2 hours from Belize City. The distance is actually not very far, but the roads near Lamanai are dirt and gravel, and they’re not in great condition. Four-wheel drive is recommended, especially in the rainy season.

Lamanai tours normally go to the archaeological site by boat instead of car. This is the most fun and interesting way to do it, because you get to relax and enjoy the river views, while also watching for birds and other wildlife.

The boat ride to Lamanai takes about 1 hour, and it’s one of the great things about coming here, in my opinion!

Lamanai Mayan ruins — the Mask Temple!

Lamanai Ruins: What To Expect

There are 5 main temples at Lamanai, with a bit of walking between each one. It also has a small museum with some Mayan artifacts, and a 19th century sugar mill that was swallowed up by a strangler fig tree after being abandoned.

Most Lamanai tours will start with the Jaguar Temple and then go to the Royal Complex, Ball Court, and High Temple, before ending at the Mask Temple and then heading back to the visitor center.

In total, you’ll walk about 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) throughout the day, although it’s spread out over the course of about 2 hours, so it doesn’t feel like too much at all. Most of the walking is flat and easy, but if you choose to climb the temples then that can be a bit more strenuous.

There is plenty of wildlife to be seen at Lamanai Archaeological Reserve — bats, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, tarantulas, exotic birds, and many other kinds of animals call this place their home. You might even see a jaguar if you’re lucky.

You’ll hear the howler monkeys before you see them. They’re very loud! We encountered a bunch of them in the treetops near the first temple, and at first their roaring sounded like something much bigger and more dangerous, but they’re actually harmless monkeys.

Spider monkey in the treetops ( © Flickr / J Robson )

• Jaguar Temple

The Jaguar Temple is generally the first temple you’ll pass on a tour of the Lamanai Mayan ruins.

It’s a pyramid-shaped temple with 7 levels and a height of almost 30 meters (100 ft), making it the second tallest at Lamanai. In fact, the base of the temple is still partly underground, but if it was fully excavated it would actually be the tallest building at Lamanai.

Some tours climb the Jaguar Temple, although ours did not. It gets its name from two blocky stone masks carved into the front of the temple that are meant to represent jaguars, although I thought they looked more like crocodile faces myself.

Archaeologists have discovered some hidden caches in this temple containing jade masks and other Mayan artifacts. Very interesting!

Jaguar Temple

Mask detail at the Jaguar Temple

Another view of the Jaguar Temple

• High Temple

The High Temple is the tallest monument at Lamanai, and at the time it was built, it was most likely the tallest building of the Mayan world!

It has a height of 33 meters (108 ft), making it about as tall as a modern 10-story building. Impressive. It’s still one of the biggest Mayan structures in Central America.

You can usually climb to the top of the High Temple, although it was closed for restoration work when I was there. The top has amazing panoramic views of the jungle canopy!

It’s a tough climb so be careful and take it slow. Some of the steps are awkward and uneven.

High Temple — the tallest Mayan temple at Lamanai

• Mask Temple

Last, but not least, there’s the Mask Temple of Lamanai, which was my favorite part of the whole place, although it’s one of the smaller temples of the bunch.

This is another temple that you can climb for the views on top, but the most unique thing about the Mask Temple would have to be the giant stone faces carved into the foundation, which is how it gets its name.

The masks are almost 4 meters tall and they’re meant to represent an ancient Maya king wearing a crocodile headdress. I love this kind of stuff! There are two masks, with one on each side of the temple’s front.

The Temple of Masks

According to archaeologists, the stone faces at the Lamanai Mask Temple were added by the Mayans sometime around 400 AD, which is almost 600 years after the rest of the temple was built.

A tomb was found inside the temple that held the remains of a man, with jade and shell artifacts. A second tomb for a woman was also found nearby.

These may have been former rulers at Lamanai, but no one knows for sure.

Pretty face!

The Mask Temple of Lamanai

• Entrance Fees*

• Foreigners: $10 BZD ($5 USD)
• Locals: $5 BZD

*Lamanai tours usually include the park fee in the total price, so it’s already taken care of. Otherwise, you can pay it when you get to the visitor center.  

• Opening Hours

• 8 AM – 5 PM

The Mayan ruins are open seven days a week, every day of the year, from 8 AM to 5 PM.  

Sample Lamanai Tour Itinerary

Here’s what a Lamanai tour itinerary will normally look like:

• 8:00 AM. Depart from Belize City in an air conditioned van and drive 1 hour to the starting point for the jungle river cruise.
• 9:00 AM. Start the 1 hour scenic boat ride on the New River. Watch for birds and other wildlife.
• 10:00 AM. Arrive at Lamanai Archaeological Reserve and begin touring the Mayan ruins, while spotting howler monkeys and other animals.
• 1:00 PM. Finish touring the ruins and eat a local lunch nearby. We had chicken and veggie empanadas with salsa. Yum.
• 2:00 PM. Boat ride back to the starting point (1 hour).
• 3:00 PM. Drive back to Belize City (1 hour).
• 4:00 PM. Arrive in Belize City and finish the tour.

Keep in mind, these times may be different, depending on your tour provider and where exactly you stay in Belize. You can contact your tour provider for exact details.

Lamanai ruins

History of Lamanai

Archaeologists believe the Lamanai area has been inhabited since 1600 BC, and it continued to be occupied up until the 1600s AD, which means it has one of the longest histories of any of the Mayan sites in Central America.

Lamanai reached its peak during the Pre-Classic period of Mayan history, from the 4th century BC through the 1st century AD, and its fascinating temples were built at this time. As many as 60,000 people may have lived there then!

The Spanish tried to convert the Mayans to Christianity in the late 16th century, and built two Catholic churches near Lamanai, but the Mayans revolted and burned them down. After this happened, the city was gradually abandoned and became overgrown by jungle.

Hundreds of years passed before Lamanai came to the attention of the outside world again in the mid-1970s, when excavation work finally started. A lot of it is still being excavated today, so who knows what new discoveries they may find!

When I was touring the Mayan ruins at Lamanai, our guide mentioned that UNESCO had been there recently, so maybe they’re thinking about selecting this for protection as a World Heritage Site sometime in the near future. That would be great!

Closeup of the best stone face at Lamanai

Best Time To Visit The Lamanai Ruins

The best time of day to visit the Lamanai ruins is in the morning, that way you can avoid the worst heat. Tours normally start with an 8 AM pickup, which should put you at the ruins by about 10 AM.

You can visit Lamanai at any time of year, but generally the best time to visit is during the dry season in Belize, which runs from December to May. The months of February, March, April, and May are especially dry and sunny in Belize, so you aren’t likely to run into a rainy day at this time of year.

During the wet season it’s still possible to visit Lamanai, but you’re more likely to encounter rain. The wet season runs from June to November in Belize.  

Is Lamanai Safe?

Yes, Lamanai is pretty safe. Even though the country of Belize doesn’t have a perfect safety record, I’m not aware of any crimes or violent incidents against tourists in the Lamanai area.

I carried my Fuji camera and took lots of pictures at the Mayan ruins, but I kept it hidden discreetly in my bag when I was walking around at the visitor center and other public areas where I didn’t need to use my camera.

If you want some extra peace of mind, you could also bring a hidden travel belt (like this one on Amazon ) and put some of your valuables in it. That’s what I did with my phone, cash, and credit cards on my first visit to Belize.

Other Tips For Lamanai Belize

• Where To Stay: If you want to stay near the Lamanai Mayan ruins, there are a few small guest houses in the town of Indian Church, such as the Lamanai Outpost Lodge . You can also find plenty of comfortable hotels in Orange Walk town .
• What To Wear: Dress for the tropics! Temperatures can be hot and humid here in the daytime, so you’ll want to have lightweight summer clothing. I wore shorts and flip flops. Shoes are not required for climbing the temples, but can be helpful. Just remember to dress modestly since Lamanai is an important place for the locals.
• Bug Spray: I didn’t notice any bugs or mosquitoes at Lamanai during the dry season, but it’s still a good idea to apply bug spray just in case. This is especially true if you visit in the wet season, when you’re likely to see more bugs. There may be some risk of Dengue or Chikungunya from mosquitoes, but Malaria is not an issue at the Lamanai Archaeological Reserve. I would not take anti-malarials.
• Bathrooms: There are clean public toilets at the entrance to the park, near the visitor center, right after you get off the boat at Lamanai. You won’t find any bathrooms later on at the ruins themselves, so this is the best place to take care of business before and after seeing the ruins.
• Snacks & Drinks: There are small shops at the park entrance where you can buy snacks, drinks, or souvenirs from the Lamanai Archaeological Reserve.
• Cell Service: There is some cell service at the Lamanai park if you need to make a phone call or send a text message.

Welcome sign at the entrance

Is Lamanai Worth It?

Yes, in my opinion Lamanai is totally worth visiting, whether you’re a cruise passenger or just happen to be traveling in Belize or a neighboring country!

I think these are some of the most unique and interesting Mayan ruins in Central America. The history, architecture, and wildlife are all fantastic.

Lamanai is well preserved and it feels like a movie set. All of this is why I’d rate it as a bucket list activity.  

More Central America Travel Tips

Thanks for looking! I hope you enjoyed this travel guide for the Mayan ruins of Lamanai in Belize.

Don’t forget to check out my other travel blog posts for Central America and South America before you go!

Happy travels!

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Lamanai Mayan Ruins & River Boat Safari

Belize City, Belize

Activity Level

Excursion Type

Wheelchair Accessible

Starting At

Minimum Age

Information Not Currently Available

Approximately 6 Hours

Meals Included

Meals included

A comfortable air-conditioned coach takes you on a one-hour drive through the scenic Belize River Valley . On the way to Ayinha Eco Park , you will pass through villages originally settled as British Honduras.

Leave the coach to board a riverboat for a 30-minute cruise across the New River Lagoon . Glide through this extraordinary habitat, whose surrounding spectacular rain forest teems with exotic birds, deer, iguanas, mangroves and orchids.

You're headed to Lamanai (loosely meaning 'submerged crocodile' in Yucatec Maya) -- once the largest Mayan ceremonial site in Meso-America. Evidence of Mayan life here dates from 1500 BC through the post-Classic period (AD 950 - 1544) and into the Spanish colonial era (AD 1544 - 1700). The ruins here are surrounded by dense rain forest and overlook a magnificent lagoon.

Enjoy a tasty Belizean-style lunch at Ayinha Eco Park. Afterward, you'll have free time to relax and purchase a tropical drink if you wish (at your own expense).

Retrace your route through the historic villages of the river valley.

Travel time to the boat is approximately one hour each way. The boat transfer is about 30 minutes each way. You will have about 1.5 hours at the Lamanai site and a one-hour lunch break. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations.

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Lamanai Mayan Ruins, River Boat Safari with Lunch

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Description

Points of Interest

• Mayan Ruins
• River Cruising

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Enjoy a scenic riverboat cruise up the emerald green waters of the New River Lagoon. Keep watch for crocodile sightings and over 100 different species of birds. Next, your guide will take you through the ancient ruins, past impressive monuments and temples. For a truly panoramic vantage point, climb up some 125 feet for a view that encompasses the ruins, lagoon and the Lamanai Archeology Reserve beyond. After the tour, you'll head back to Ayinha Eco Park for a delicious buffet lunch. Then board your transportation for the ride back to the pier where your ship awaits to take you on another unforgettable adventure.

Special Notes:

Child price:.

Tour timeline may vary to avoid overcrowding, etc.

Depart the dock for transfer to Ayinha Eco Park for river boats

Depart ayinha eco park for river boat cruise to lamanai site, guided tour of lamanai site, depart lamanai site for lunch at ayinha eco park, depart to the tender docks.

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