Lamanai Temples and River Cruise: An Insight into Ancient History with Wildlife Encounters
4.7
102 Ratings
Belize City
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: 1 day learn more
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 at the new river lagoon at the footsteps of the Ancient city of Lamanai.

Your guide will then lead you through forest paths, where you will look at huge Guanacaste trees and the Cohune palm forest, and listen to the sounds of the howler monkeys. Your next stop will be the Mask Temple, where you will have the opportunity to take photos and go up the top, and get a panoramic view of the plaza down below. Next, you will go on a 5 minute walk through the forest path to see the High Temple. Your guide will explain the secrets revealed through excavations at the site, before providing you with the opportunity to climb to the top and see all of the Northern Belize lowlands and small villages.

Following you descent, you will head to the Ball Court and the Altar in the center. Your guide will shed light on the findings and the ritual game. You will then pass through the residential area and see the famous Stela #9, which features an intricate carved drawing of the Lamanai dynasty and its ruler, Lord Smoking Shell. Moving along, you will next visit the Jaguar Temple, where you get to see the mask of the Jaguar on the Temple Wall.

You will then stop for lunch. Next, you’ll visit the on-site museum to see some of the Red clay pots with drawings on them that were used at Lamanai. Likewise, you will see Altars and stelas now housed in the facility. Your tour will conclude with drop-off.

What's Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Bottled water
  • Luggage storage during tour
  • Experienced driver/guide
  • Lunch included
  • National park fees covered
  • Water taxi service to and from water taxi or city hotels
  • Transport in air-conditioned minivan
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Depart from Belize City for a comprehensive full-day guided exploration of the Lamanai Temples, ball-courts, and museum. The adventure includes a river cruise with bird spotting opportunities, as well as a tour of the Mask Temple, the High Temple, and the Jaguar Temple, complete with historical insights from your guide. Appreciate the stunning scenery and diverse wildlife, including listening to Howler Monkeys, on this small-group journey. The tour package covers lunch, transfer via a cool, air-conditioned minivan, and pick-up and drop-off services from your hotel or the airport.

  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately (poncho, rain jacket, and tennis shoes for walking on uneven foot paths and climbing structures recommended)
  • You may bring a towel and change of clothes should there be a downpour in the Rainforest, when you return to the car park, there is changing rooms
  • We pickup at the Belize Airport, sir barry bowen municipal, san pedro expresss, cruise port marine terminal ocean ferry
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
4.7
(102 Ratings)
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Gibbs_j
May 30, 2024
Great Trip!!! - Guides were very knowledgeable and friendly. Learned more on this tour than I have on any other tour I have taken. Super job!
Review provided by Viator
Nathaniel_e
May 27, 2024
Amazing animals and ruins - Fascinating trip. Amir was incredibly knowledgeable about the ruins and wildlife. The ruins are amazing and we saw tons of birds and monkeys.
Review provided by Viator
Roman_s
May 26, 2024
Overall Great Tour - Overall, greatly organised and executed tour, with very welcoming and accommodative staff, convenient pick-up/drop-off services and delicious homemade lunch. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Viator
Julia_h
Apr 22, 2024
Very lovely tour - The driver, boat captain, and Lamanai local guide were all wonderful - super kind and knowledgeable. We saw lots of howler monekys, the temples were amazing, and the lunch was really nice.
Review provided by Viator
Peterldowns58
Apr 17, 2024
Lamani with an expert - These Mayan ruins are amazing. Brenda, who grew up among the ruins and has worked on the archeological digs and on sorting, preserving, and cataloging artifacts found there, was an extremely knowledgeable guide. She really elevated the tour with drawings of how each building looked at different times. Naz picked us up at the hotel and answered our questions on the drive to the boat launch. Brenda piloted the boat and led us through Lamani.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Curious03038096260
Apr 17, 2024
A must-do tour! - We had two guides for this trip. Nas picked us up and drove us to the launch site. Great guy, very entertaining. Brenda, our guide for the actual tour, does it all - she's a boat driver, naturalist, historian, anthropologist and archaeologist! Due to a last minute scheduling change we went on the day of the eclipse. What a bonus!! We got to experience the eclipse (partial, but still...) at the top of a Mayan ruin. You won't find a better guide than Brenda. Definitely one of the most interesting tours I've taken.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bradley_w
Apr 10, 2024
Fun fun fun - Wowwww The river cruise was so relaxing. The Mayan ruins were fantastic. Our guide was so knowledgeable. Great time. Would do it again!!!
Review provided by Viator
P7039dggregg
Apr 3, 2024
Mayan Ruins - It was an amazing experience. Our guide, Brenda was very knowledgeable. We kearned a great deal. We would definitely recommend this experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q4448manh
Mar 28, 2024
Amazing Excursion! Must-see. - Great tour!! The river cruise itself was also amazing. Recommend and our guide, Amir, was so nice and knowledgeable. Would definitely go again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bob_b
Mar 23, 2024
the boat trip was great... - the boat trip was great and the Mayan ruins were remarkable. Brenda was a great captain and guide for the ruins.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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