Belize Adventure: Explore Maya Temples & Wildlife

Embark on a full-day guided tour of the Lamanai Temples and River Cruise in Belize City. Explore ancient history, encounter wildlife, and enjoy panoramic views on this small-group adventure.

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Lamanai Archaeological Reserve - Following pickup, you will embark on a drive with your guide, who will provide commentary along the way. Then, you will board a boat for a sightseeing river ride, where you’ll get to observe birds, orchids, water lilies and possibly crocodiles. You will pass near the Amish community of shipyard, before you arrive…
What's Included
  • Bottled water
  • Bring refillable water bottles
  • Luggage storage while on tour
  • Driver/guide
  • Lunch
  • National park fees
  • Water taxi pickup and drop-off at water taxi or city area hotel
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Rain or shine, Belize offers a wealth of Maya sites, diverse cultures, ecosystems, and wildlife, including birds. With expert guides, explore parts of Belize City, learning about its people, culture, residences, businesses, and current developments. Pass by the historic old Belize River, rural communities, fruit farms, and ranches. Travel near mangrove…

Location
Baron Bliss lighthouse
Fort Street
We pickup at the San Pedro Express Water Taxi Terminal, Belize City Cruise Port FSTv, Belize mumicipal Airport, Belize City Hotels, aIR bNb, LET US KNOW WHERE YOU ARE STAYING SO WE CAN ARRANGE PICKUPS. the guide will have a V.i.V. sign
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(137 Ratings)
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Chris_s
Apr 18, 2025
A wonderful was to spend a day in nature while learning about the flora, fauna, and cultural history of Belize - We were picked up at our hotel in Belize city by a nice young man. He made the 1 hour drive pleasant and answered questions about Belize, where he lives, other random questions about the area etc. The boat ride up the New River was a mix of bird spotting/watching, plant/tree identification, and even came across a very young crocodile on a long so camouflaged I am not sure how the driver saw it. This all continued during the tour of the Lamanai site. The guide/boat captain is very knowlegable of the area flora and fauna as he grew up on the river and has been providing tours since the opening of the Lamanai site to the public. The lunch provided by his wife was stewed chicken, coconut rice and beans, tortilla chips, salsa, water and soda was very good and there was plenty for the 8 people on the tour. The only criticism I could possibly have is the boat is small and you need to get cozy with your fellow travellers. Thank you for a wonderful day in your country!
Review provided by Viator
Akabeebrain
Apr 11, 2025
Great tour- nature, archeology, ethnography, and a super guide. - A great tour. Had good communication about meeting point (a hotel not far from ours) While still nervous, it went as arranged. Our driver was personable and well informed on a wide range of topics about Belize. Our boatman and guide Amir could not have been better! He grew up on the river and has been guiding since the Lamanai park opened (guide registration #1, and justifiably proud of it). He had a sharp eye for spotting wildlife from a fast moving boat. When we got to the pyramids sight, he proved very knowledgeable about the history and Maya culture (he is married to a Mayan woman who grew up at the site before her village was displaced by the park). He was also attentive to and skilled at navigating our group of 10 so as to avoid the much much larger group from a cruise ship who arrived at about the same time (but with a much shorter and less interesting boat trip, just across the lake). Amir’s knowledge and interest in the plants growing at the site added a lot. Repeatedly, he passed around a crushed leaf (oregano, key lime, allspice, licorice tree, an anti-diarrheal nut, and others) for us to smell. If you are planning a tour, you would do well, if you can, to arrange to go with Amir. Also, planning for a day not a Tuesday or Thursday would help you avoid cruise ship crowds (though they were not that big a deal). Lunch was excellent (Amir’s wife cooked it), plenty of water was provided. We got back to the ferry terminal about 4 pm, which allowed us to catch an earlier boat that arrived in Caye Caulker before sunset. Well worth doing. Bringing binoculars would help sometimes (baby alligators, monkeys, some not-so mobile birds, though many were fast moving and hard to catch in binoculars).
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elaine_b
Apr 10, 2025
Great day visit Lamanai - This was a great experience. 1.5 hour drive from Belize City. 1.5 hours on the river. Great tour of Lamanai Mayan site. Guides were excellent.
Review provided by Viator
Carlsjb
Apr 6, 2025
Exceeded our high expectations! - This tour exceeded our high expectations. Our guide was very knowledgeable and really added to the experience. We saw so much beautiful wildlife and enjoyed the ancient sites. The lunch was seemingly home cooked, but very tasty. Served at picnic tables near the temples. Highly recommend this experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Daram844
Apr 6, 2025
Perfect day adventure - 10/10 fantastic adventure down the river and to the Lamanai site!! We had BRENDA to guide us who was amazing and knew everything about the site. She pointed out all plants and creatures to us during the day as well and even stayed extra time at the site so we could go explore the sugar mill.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Adela_s
Apr 2, 2025
Excellent experience with a knowledgeable guide who had a personal connection with the site. - This was well worth the money. Our guide Amir was very knowledgeable and had a person connection to Lamanai and actually found one of the artifacts on display at the museum.
Review provided by Viator
256candelariaf
Mar 22, 2025
Great experience - Brenda was a wonderful guide and made our day spectacular. We were able to take breaks as needed and take pictures. Lunch was delicious.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christiaan_d
Mar 21, 2025
We had a great time!... - We had a great time! Everything was amazing and both our driver and tour guide were very formative. Saw lots of birds, a crocodile, and Howler monkey. The boat ride was a great way to get to the site.
Review provided by Viator
Sarahfromstow
Mar 20, 2025
An Outstanding Lamanai Tour Provider - I had a wonderful experience with this tour provider. The driver was early to pick us up, pointed out some interesting sights during the drive to the river, stored our bags for the day in the van, and then, following the tour, dropped us off at the specified marina in order for us to make the arranged boat transfer by our next hotel. I had a few questions ahead of time about all of these arrangements, and any questions were quickly addressed through messaging. I never waited long for a response. The boat ride up the river with Brenda (hoping I am remembering her name correctly), was a thrill. She masterfully weaved the boat around the river bends and was able to identify many birds. She skillfully spotted two small crocodiles along our route. Make sure you book a tour that includes the river ride. It is well worth it, and since it's a speedboat, you will unlikely be bothered by motion sickness. (I was fine.) Brenda was warm and very approachable. She is very knowledgeable about the area and the ruins themselves, even attending regular conferences to learn about the latest discoveries and theories. Lamanai itself is a magical place. I have been to other ruins and what set this site apart is the approach from the river, the trees that are interspersed around the ruins, making the setting mostly shaded and have a more natural feel, and the lack of crowds. There were a few other groups there, but visits are regulated and I did not feel like I was in a tourist trap. The howler monkeys put on quite a show for us and their unmistakable cries certainly added depth to the experience. Finally, we enjoyed a tasty lunch. As a vegetarian, I had rice and beans, some steamed broccoli, and a taste of cole slaw along with a delicious fresh salsa and tortilla chips.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Craigpx3283qx
Apr 11, 2025
Lamanai visit - Great experience to visit Lamanai via river boat ride. Brenda, our guide, was fantastic! She is truly passionate about the culture, its ruins, and the surrounding environment, which made the experience even more authentic.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $140
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).