Lamanai Ruins & River Ride

Lamanai, on the New River Lagoon. Just an hour up the paved Western Highway is the New River, which flows from the New River Lagoon north to the Bay of Corozal. This river is a wildlife haven and offers the perfect combination tour of ancient Maya site and pleasant riverboat tour with exotic flora and fauna. The boats at the New River Bridge take you for about an hour and a half on this pristine rainforest river for the first leg of your adventure, where you will also pass the famous Mennonite settlement of Shipyard in the area, and other small farms.

Arriving at the Lamanai Maya site on the New River Lagoon, you’ll first be treated to a great Belizean lunch of rice and beans, and stewed chicken, with fruit and a drink, under the palapa at the site, before setting off on your easy rainforest trail through one of the most ancient cities of the world famed Maya civilization, actually called LAMANAYIN, which means “submerged crocodile”. The croc was considered to be an earthly manifestation of the first dark lord of the underworld (the Maya believed NINE dark lords ruled the underworld, called “ZIBALBA”).

Look out for exotic birds and the howler and spider monkeys who inhabit the trees at the site. At the end of your exploration, hop back on board your riverboat and head back to the bridge where you started, and then on board your van, back to Belize City, or wherever it is you started from on this most popular full day tour.

NOTE: Bring along fly repellant, sun block lotion, and you may also want a cap/hat for the day’s activity. Bottled water is served, but you may bring your own as well. Cameras are always welcome. Lunch is always included in this tour. Watch the hot habanero pepper sauce! :-)