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Nelson Maya Adventures

Alluring Mayan Site Tours and Outstanding Transfers Service for the Insightful Traveler.

"Explore More, Worry Less!"

Belize Maya Temple Tour

With our team of expert travel agents and tour operators, we ensure your experience is truly unforgettable.

Lamanai​ - The Lost City on the River​

Price

Price varies by location - Can be done during a transfer.

Difficulty / Requirement

Moderate - Walking and Climbing

What's included

Guide, Entrance Fee, Round Trip Transportation, Lunch, Water, and a Exclusive river tour.

What to bring

Bug spray, Hat and Sunglasses.

Lamanai

Lamanai, meaning “Submerged Crocodile” in the Maya language, is one of Belize’s most fascinating and longest-occupied Maya cities. Nestled along the banks of the New River Lagoon, this ancient city is unique due to its remote jungle setting, well-preserved temples, and stunning wildlife. Unlike many other Maya sites, Lamanai was continuously inhabited for over 3,000 years, from 1500 BC to the 17th century AD, making it a must-visit destination for history lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Things to Do at Lamanai

  • Climb the High Temple: Standing at 108 feet tall, the High Temple offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding jungle and lagoon. Visitors who climb to the top are rewarded with a stunning vista stretching across the Belizean rainforest.

  • Explore the Mask Temple: This temple is famous for its massive stone-carved masks, depicting ancient Maya rulers or deities. The intricate detail and size of these masks make it one of the most photographed structures in Belize.

  • Visit the Jaguar Temple: Named after the jaguar-like carvings on its façade, this temple was likely an important ceremonial structure. Walking through its ruins gives visitors a glimpse into the spiritual and political significance of Lamanai.

  • Wildlife and Nature Viewing: Since Lamanai is surrounded by lush rainforest and a vast lagoon, it is a haven for wildlife. Keep an eye out for howler monkeys, toucans, crocodiles, and colorful butterflies as you explore the site.

  • Take a Scenic Boat Tour: One of the highlights of visiting Lamanai is the boat journey along the New River, where you’ll pass through mangroves, wetlands, and rich birdlife before arriving at the site. We provide a boat tour that adds a sense of adventure which sets Lamanai apart from other Maya ruins.

The Journey to Lamanai

Lamanai is located in northern Belize, about 60 miles (96 km) from Belize City. The most popular way to reach Lamanai is via a guided boat tour from Orange Walk Town, which takes about 1 hour along the New River. Travelers can also drive to the site, but the boat trip provides a more immersive experience, allowing visitors to enjoy the wildlife and scenery along the way.

History of Lamanai

Lamanai was a powerful city, with evidence of continuous occupation from 1500 BC to the 1600s AD, making it one of the longest-inhabited Maya sites. Unlike many Maya cities that were abandoned after the Classic Period (900 AD), Lamanai thrived well into the Spanish Colonial era. The site features Spanish churches and colonial structures, remnants of the Spanish attempt to convert the Maya to Christianity. However, the Maya eventually rebelled, forcing the Spanish to abandon the area.

The name “Lamanai” translates to “Submerged Crocodile,” a fitting name due to the many crocodile-shaped carvings found at the site and the abundance of crocodiles in the surrounding waterways.

Location to your destination

Nearby Temples and Attractions

If you’re visiting Lamanai, there are other fascinating destinations nearby worth exploring:


  • Altun Ha: Located about 50 miles (80 km) east of Lamanai, Altun Ha is another significant Maya site, famous for the discovery of the Jade Head of Kinich Ahau, the largest carved jade artifact in the Maya world.


  • Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary: If you’re a nature lover, this nearby sanctuary offers an incredible opportunity to see over 300 bird species, including the majestic Jabiru Stork.

Testimonials

Good Service, Happy Clients!

  • star rating  My husband Joe & I had a great tour with Josh as our guide. He took us to the Community Baboon Santuary to see the Black Howler Monkeys, the Belize... read more

    avatar thumb Tara S
    February 2, 2023
  • star rating  While visiting Caye Caulker with friends we decided to visit the Xunantunich ruins. Booking was seamless and our guide Auner met us at the water taxi. ... read more

    McGregor4
    October 25, 2022
  • star rating  We did a day trip from Belize City to Xunantunich with Auner as our guide and it was amazing experience with such a knowledgeable guide who provided so much information.

    44isballn
    October 25, 2022
  • star rating  We decided to arrange a private tour for a family of four to Tikal with Nelson Maya Adventures after reading a couple of reviews here and on a couple of... read more

    ViajeroIndiana
    August 8, 2022
  • star rating  We decided to arrange a private tour for a family of four to Tikal with Nelson Maya Adventures after reading a couple of reviews here and on a couple of... read more

    ViajeroIndiana
    August 4, 2022
5/5

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