Lamanai Tour from Orange Walk

Explore Lamanai from Orange Walk, Belize. Discover the ancient Maya city of Lamanai with a local Belize tour operator.

US$99 total price per person

Minimum 2 guests required

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Tour Description

Lamanai Tour from Orange Walk

Join the Belize Fun Tours Family on an educational archaeological tour to the Maya city of Lamanai. “Submerged Crocodile”

Our guides starts the morning at 8:45am picking up guests in and around Orange Walk Town heading to our docks near the village of Carmelita in the Orange Walk district a short 15 to 20 minutes away.

On arrival at the docks you get to use the bathrooms if you desire and board the boat for a 1 hour eco river tour to Lamanai located on the banks of the New River Lagoon. Traveling along the New River, your guide stops pointing out birds, crocodiles and all the wildlife that inhabit the area. Time goes by swiftly and 45 minutes to one hour later we arrive.

While your guide pays your entrance fees and get your entrance bands you get to use the bathroom and then its off to tour. Every guide decides the route they start from. You will get to visit, Jaguar Temple, High Temple, Stela 9 (Lord Smoking Shell) the Mask Temple roughly 1.5 hours.

Your guide will give you a history of the Ancient City of Lamanai, its people, their traditions, rulers and practices as well as timelines as this city has always been occupied.

After the tour we sit and have Lunch under the seating area and should time permit your guide will allow you to take a quick dip in the giftshops onsite to grab a souvenir to remember your trip for 45 minutes to an hour.

We then reboard to boat and do the return journey to our docks in Carmelita Village and then back to your accommodations in Orange Walk Town.

The total tour time for your Lamanai Adventure is 5 to 6 hours from pickup to drop-off.

If you would like to drive to our docks from anywhere in the country this is the cost of the tour. You can do your reservation. We will email you a maps pin you can follow directly to us.

Before You Go

Most of the tour takes place under the jungle canopy, but you can still get sun exposure. We recommend wearing PFG or other lightweight sun-protective clothing and using sunscreen.

Mosquitoes are common, particularly during the rainy season. Bug spray is strongly recommended.

Keep an eye on the weather before your tour. Rain does not cancel the tour, but we recommend bringing a poncho or umbrella.

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting footwear or hiking boots suitable for walking on uneven jungle terrain.

Mobility: We rate this tour 4 out of 6 for physical difficulty, with 1 being easy and 6 being strenuous. This tour is not wheelchair accessible.

This is a family-friendly adventure suitable for children and adults.

I particularly like the 1–6 mobility scale because it's useful information rather than marketing. People can immediately understand what they're getting into.

What's Included / What's Not Included

Included in the price

  • Round-trip transportation from Orange Walk Town
  • Professional tour guide
  • Bottled water
  • Lunch
  • Entrance fees to the archaeological site

Not included

  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities (optional)
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Travel insurance

Itinerary

  • 8:45AM: Pickup from your accommodations or meeting point.
  • 8:45 AM: Depart Orange Walk
  • 9:00 AM: Arrival at the New River launching point (1-hour transfer)
  • 9:30 AM: Scenic boat ride along the New River with wildlife spotting (45 minutes to 1 hour)
  • 10:30 AM: Arrive at Lamanai Archaeological Reserve
  • 11:00 AM: Guided tour of the Lamanai ruins including High Temple, Jaguar Temple, and Mask Temple
  • 1:00 PM: Traditional Belizean lunch
  • 1:45 PM: Return boat journey with wildlife viewing
  • 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM: Return to Orange Walk pickup point.

Lamanai Tour from Orange Walk: frequently asked questions

Where does the boat depart, and how long does the river ride take?

Tours departing from Orange Walk launch along the New River, most commonly from the Tower Hill Toll Bridge boat ramp (just south of Orange Walk Town). he boat ride covers approximately 26 miles (42 km) down the river and into the New River Lagoon, taking roughly 45 to 60 minutes each way. The trip is conducted at varying speeds, slowing down regularly along bends, creeks, and tree canopies for wildlife viewing.

Can you still climb the temples at Lamanai?

Yes. Unlike several Maya sites in the region that have barred climbing, Lamanai still permits climbing on select structures. Visitors can ascend the High Temple (N10-43), which stands roughly 108 feet (33 meters) tall, via a wooden staircase built onto the back of the pyramid equipped with handrail ropes. It rewards climbers with a 360-degree canopy panorama extending across the New River Lagoon. Climbing the original limestone steps on the facade of the Mask Temple or Jaguar Temple is restricted to protect the ancient limestone and masonry masks.

What wildlife will we see along the New River and at the ruins?

The New River corridor and the surrounding subtropical broadleaf forest host a high density of native fauna: Along the river: Morelet’s crocodiles (often sunning on fallen logs or riverbanks), proboscis bats roosting along tree trunks, freshwater river turtles, and diverse bird species including northern jacanas, snail kites, anhingas, and belted kingfishers. In the ruins canopy: Black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) are consistently heard or seen around the central plaza, along with Central American spider monkeys, keel-billed toucans, and collared aracaris.

What is the total duration of the tour from Orange Walk?

From meeting at the boat dock in Orange Walk to returning, the standard tour lasts 5 to 6 hours.

What should I wear and pack for the day?

Footwear: Sturdy running shoes, trail runners, or hiking sandals with good grip. The trails can have exposed limestone and roots, and climbing the High Temple requires stable footing. Clothing: Lightweight, breathable shirts and shorts or quick-dry trail pants. A light windbreaker or long-sleeve layer is useful during early morning high-speed boat legs. Sun & Bug Protection: Eco-friendly insect repellent (essential in shaded jungle paths, especially during the rainy season), broad-spectrum sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a wide-brim hat. Gear: Refillable water bottle, a small daypack, and a rain poncho or waterproof bag/dry pouch for cameras and phones in case of river spray or sudden showers.

Is the boat ride rough or prone to causing seasickness?

No. The New River is an inland, freshwater river system sheltered from open-ocean swells. The water is generally calm and flat. Motion sickness is exceptionally rare on this tour. The boats used are outboard-powered skiffs equipped with shade canopies and padded bench seats. The main dynamic factor is wind and spray when the captain runs at cruising speed across open stretches of the New River Lagoon.

Are there bathrooms, amenities, and food available at the site?

Yes. The Lamanai Archaeological Reserve is managed by the Belize Institute of Archaeology (NICH) and offers well-developed visitor infrastructure at the lagoon dock: Maintained flush restrooms at the visitor center and park entrance. A small archaeological museum exhibiting original ceramic vessels, jade artifacts, and eccentric flints excavated on site. Shaded palapas with picnic tables where tour operators serve lunch. Local artisan vendor stalls selling hand-carved zericote wood crafts, slate carvings, woven baskets, and souvenirs.

Does the tour still operate if it rains?

Yes. Tours run year-round, rain or shine. In Belize, tropical showers are often brief. Riverboats feature canvas bimini tops to shield passengers from overhead rain, and the thick jungle canopy provides natural shelter along the walking trails. In the event of heavy rain, boat captains provide plastic ponchos or deploy side splash covers. Tours are only rescheduled or canceled in the rare event of extreme weather alerts, high river flood advisories, or tropical storm conditions.

Other ways to visit Lamanai