The Lamanai Ruins in Belize are among the most fascinating Mayan ruins in Central America, with a “mask temple” whose great stone faces are carved into the foundations. Sounds like something from Indiana Jones!
Lamanai means “submerged crocodile” and this area on the river bank has been settled by the Maya for thousands of years. Excavations began only in the 1970s and continue to this day. Some temples are even open for climbing, so you have a panoramic view from the top!
You can easily visit Lamanai on a day trip from places like Orange Walk, Belize City or even San Pedro to Ambergris Caye. On the way, you can enjoy a river boat ride through the jungle, to the sounds of tropical birds and howler monkeys in the treetops.
In this guide you will learn how to get to Lamanai Belize, what to see in the Mayan ruins, which tour packages are the best to use and what you need to know before you go!
The best tours in Lamanai
One of the best ways to visit Lamanai is a one-day package.
If you are coming from Belize City or the cruise port, Viator offers a popular Lamanai tour with a river boat cruise, wildlife viewing and the best Mayan temples in the region.
The price includes a local Belizean guide and driver, lunch, parking fees, as well as pick-up and drop-off from hotels in Belize City, cruise port or airport.
We have used Viator for many tours and activities around the world, and they are great. Highly recommended!
Where Is Lamanai Located? How To Get There
Lamanai is located in the north of Belize, near the New River, and you can get there by car or boat.
The nearest major city 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 are going to Lamanai by car, it is 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 unpaved and gravel, and they are not in very good condition. Four-wheel drive is recommended, especially in the rainy season.
Lamanai Tours usually goes to the archaeological site by boat rather than by car. This is the most fun and interesting way to do it, because you can relax and enjoy the view of the river while watching birds and other wildlife.
The boat trip to Lamanai takes about 1 hour, and this, in my opinion, is one of the great things about coming here!
Ruins Of Lamanai: What To Expect
There are 5 main temples in Lamanai, in the middle each of which is a little walking distance. It also has a small museum with Mayan artifacts and a 19th-century sugar mill.
Most Lamanai tours start with the Jaguar Temple, then go to the Royal Complex, the Ball Field and the High Temple before ending at the Mask Temple and then returning to the visitor Center.
In total, you will walk about 1.5 kilometers throughout the day, although it takes about 2 hours, so it does not feel too much at all. Most of the walk is flat and easy, but if you decide to climb the temples, it can be a little more laborious.
There are many wild animals to see in the Lamanai archaeological reserve — bats, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, tarantulas, exotic birds and many other species of animals inhabit this place. You might even see a jaguar if you’re lucky.
You will hear the howler monkeys before you see them. They are very loud! We met a group of them in the treetops near the first temple, and at first their roar sounded like something much bigger and more harmful, but they are actually harmless monkeys.
* Temple of the Jaguar
The Jaguar Temple is usually the first temple that you will pass by on a tour of the Mayan ruins of Lamanai.
It is a pyramid-shaped temple with 7 tiers and a height of almost 30 meters, making it the second highest in Lamanai. In fact, the base of the temple is still partially underground, but if it were completely excavated, it would actually be the tallest building in Lamanai.
Some tours climb to the Jaguar Temple, although ours does not. It got its name from two blocky stone masks carved on the front of the temple, which are supposed to depict jaguars, although I thought that they themselves look more like crocodile faces.
Archaeologists have discovered hidden caches in this temple, which contain jade masks and other Mayan artifacts. Very interesting!
