The Lamanai ruins in Belize are among the most captivating Mayan sites in Central America. They feature a ‘Mask Temple’ with giant stone faces. It’s like something out of Indiana Jones!
Lamanai, meaning ‘submerged crocodile’, was a Mayan settlement for thousands of years. Excavations began in the 1970s and continue today. Some temples are open for climbing, offering stunning views from the top.
Visiting Lamanai is easy on a day trip from places like Orange Walk, Belize City, or San Pedro in Ambergris Caye. You’ll enjoy a river boat ride through the jungle. Listen to tropical birds and howler monkeys in the trees.
This travel guide will cover how to get to Lamanai Belize, what to see, and the best tour packages. You’ll know everything before you go!
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 the best Mayan temples.
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. You can get there by 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 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 Ruins: What To Expect
At Lamanai, you’ll find 5 main temples. There’s a bit of walking between each one. You’ll also see a small museum with Mayan artifacts and a 19th century sugar mill swallowed by a strangler fig tree.
Most tours start at the Jaguar Temple. Then, they visit the Royal Complex, Ball Court, and High Temple. The tour ends at the Mask Temple before heading back.
You’ll walk about 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) over 2 hours. The paths are mostly flat and easy. Climbing the temples can be more challenging.
Lamanai is home to many animals. You might see bats, monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, tarantulas, and exotic birds. Even jaguars have been spotted here.
Howler monkeys are very loud. We saw them in the treetops near the first temple. At first, their loud calls seemed scary, but they’re harmless.
• Jaguar Temple
The Jaguar Temple is the first stop on most tours.
This pyramid-shaped temple has 7 levels and stands almost 30 meters (100 ft) tall. If fully excavated, it would be the tallest at Lamanai.
Some tours climb the temple. Ours did not. The temple’s name comes from two stone masks that resemble jaguars or crocodiles.
Archaeologists found hidden caches here with jade masks and other Mayan artifacts. It’s very interesting!
• High Temple
The High Temple is the tallest at Lamanai. It was once the tallest Mayan building.
It stands 33 meters (108 ft) tall, as tall as a 10-story building. It’s one of the biggest Mayan structures in Central America.
You can climb to the top, but it was closed for restoration when I visited. The view from the top is amazing.
Be careful climbing the High Temple. The steps are uneven and awkward.
• Mask Temple
The Mask Temple of Lamanai was my favorite spot. It’s one of the smaller temples but very special.
You can climb to the top for amazing views. But what makes it unique are the giant stone faces at the base. These faces are how it got its name.
The masks are almost 4 meters tall. They show an ancient Maya king with a crocodile headdress. I find this fascinating! There are two masks, one on each side of the temple.
The stone faces were added by the Mayans around 400 AD. This was 600 years after the temple was first built.
Inside the temple, archaeologists found a tomb with a man’s remains. It had jade and shell artifacts. Nearby, they found a tomb for a woman too.
These may have been rulers of Lamanai, but we can’t be sure.
• 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 covered. Otherwise, you can pay it at the visitor center.
• Opening Hours
- 8 AM – 5 PM
The Mayan ruins are open every day of the year. They are open from 8 AM to 5 PM.
Sample Lamanai Tour Itinerary
Here’s what a Lamanai tour itinerary looks 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 vary. It depends on your tour provider and where you stay in Belize. Contact your tour provider for exact details.
History of Lamanai
Archaeologists believe Lamanai was inhabited since 1600 BC. It was occupied until the 1600s AD. This makes it one of the longest histories of any Mayan site in Central America.
Lamanai reached its peak during the Pre-Classic period. This was from the 4th century BC to the 1st century AD. Its temples were built then. At this time, as many as 60,000 people may have lived there!
The Spanish tried to convert the Mayans to Christianity in the late 16th century. They built two Catholic churches near Lamanai. But the Mayans revolted and burned them down. After this, the city was gradually abandoned and became overgrown by jungle.
Hundreds of years passed before Lamanai was rediscovered in the mid-1970s. Excavation work started then. A lot of it is still being excavated today. Who knows what new discoveries they may find!
Is Lamanai a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
When I visited the Mayan ruins at Lamanai, our guide said UNESCO had been there recently. They might consider adding it to the World Heritage Site list soon. That would be fantastic!
Best Time To Visit The Lamanai Ruins
The morning is the best time to see the Lamanai ruins. It helps you avoid the hottest part of the day. Tours usually start at 8 AM, getting you there by 10 AM.
You can visit Lamanai any time of year. But the dry season, from December to May, is the best. February, March, April, and May are especially dry and sunny.
Even in the wet season, you can still visit Lamanai. But, you might see more rain. The wet season is from June to November in Belize.
Is Lamanai Safe?
Yes, Lamanai is safe. Belize has some safety concerns, but Lamanai is quiet. I didn’t hear of any crimes against tourists there.
I brought my Fuji camera but kept it hidden in my bag. This was when I wasn’t using it at the visitor center or other public areas.
For extra safety, consider a hidden travel belt. Like this one on Amazon. I used it for my phone, cash, and credit cards on my first trip to Belize.
Other Tips For Lamanai Belize
- Where To Stay: For a stay near the ruins, try the Lamanai Outpost Lodge in Indian Church. Or, find hotels in Orange Walk town that are comfortable.
- What To Wear: Wear light, tropical clothes. Shorts and flip flops are good for the heat. Shoes help with climbing the temples. Dress modestly, as it’s a sacred place for locals.
- Bug Spray: You might not see bugs in the dry season, but it’s wise to use bug spray. This is more important in the wet season. Dengue or Chikungunya might be risks, but Malaria isn’t a problem here. I wouldn’t take anti-malarials.
- Bathrooms: There are clean toilets at the entrance, near the visitor center. This is your best chance to use the bathroom before and after seeing the ruins.
- Snacks & Drinks: Shops at the entrance sell snacks, drinks, and souvenirs.
- Cell Service: You might get cell service at the park for calls or texts.
Is Lamanai Worth It?
Yes, Lamanai is definitely worth visiting. It’s great for cruise passengers or travelers in Belize or nearby countries.
The Mayan ruins here are unique and fascinating. You’ll love the history, architecture, and wildlife.
Lamanai is well-preserved, like a movie set. That’s why I think it’s a bucket list activity.
More Central America Travel Tips
Thanks for checking out this travel guide on Lamanai’s Mayan ruins in Belize.
Make sure to see my other travel blog posts on Central America and South America before your trip.
Happy travels!