Lamanai Ruins Tour From San Pedro, Orange Walk, or Belize City

Posted on March 31, 2023 | Julie J. |

Located deep inside a lush jungle, the Lamanai ruins, an ancient Maya city, stand. Pyramids emerge here and there through the dense vegetation. It seems time has stopped in this remote area where remnants of a golden era linger. Lamanai used to be a major trading city and reached 35 000 inhabitants at its pinnacle.

If you’re backpacking through Belize, it’s easier (and cheaper) to book a tour from Orange Walk. There are no practical ways to get there on your own unless you rent a 4-wheeler, anyway, it’s recommended to go through a tour agency.

If you’re staying in San Pedro or Belize City, it’s easier to book a tour from there that will include all the transportation needed to reach the ruins. You can also book a Lamanai tour from Belize City.

The journey starts from Orange Walk where you’ll take a boat to the ruins. The ride is about 2 hours long. Most tours will include lunch, water, and a guide to visit the ruins.

Read on to learn more about planning a Lamanai Ruins Tour from San Pedro or Orange Walk.

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HELPFUL WEBSITES TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR TRIP

FLIGHT DEALS

HOTEL DEALS

CAR RENTAL

TRAVEL INSURANCE

ACTIVITIES

VACATION RENTALS

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Lamanai Ruins History

Traces of human activity were found going back as far as the 16th century BC. The city reached its pinnacle during the Pre-Classic Era, from the 4th century BC to the 1ft century AD. Lamanai was occupied until the 20th century when archaeologists relocated the villagers to Indian Church. It’s one of the longest-occupied Maya cities, spanning over three millenniums.

The mask temple, maya pyramids, Lamanai ruins, Belize

Due to its strategic location near the river, the city flourished to reach around 35 000 inhabitants at its peak. Lamanai ruins are one of the largest Maya sites in Belize, thousands of structures have been identified, but only a few have been fully excavated.

Lamanai Ruins Today

There are four main structures you can see clearly today.

The Mask Temple

Only three stories can be seen, but there’s actually a lot more, hurricanes destroyed the top three floors, and underneath, there are still around nine stories that haven’t been excavated. Usually, each new ruler would add a level.

On each side, you’ll notice two 15 feet tall masks, representing the king who had this floor built. The sculptures you see are not the originals, they’re made of fiberglass and protect the stucco carving underneath it.

The High Temple

The High Temple is the highest Pre-Classic structure in Belize. It was built from the 2nd century to the 8th century. On top, the view over the jungle and the river is just breathtaking.

The Ball Court

Common amongst Maya, ball courts can be found in most Maya cities. In Lamanai, it is believed the captain of the losing team was sacrificed (contrary to other cities where the winner was killed). You’ll see markers in the middle used to score points (in some cities they used loops on the side).

The Jaguar Temple

Called Jaguar Temple because of the two sculptures on each side. The structure was built in the 6th century and remodeled in the 13th century.

Before the temple, you’ll see some foundations, around a plaza, dignitaries and their family inhabited this area.

Lamanai actually means submerged insects, cartographers misunderstood the name and just wrote down Lamanai. The actual name is Laman Ayin, or submerged crocodile.

There’s a small museum there, providing information about the site, its history, and the Mayas in general.

Getting to the Lamanai Ruins

Whether you’re coming from San Pedro or are already staying in Orange Walk, you’ll need to take a boat from Orange Walk to the ruins. If you book a tour from San Pedro, you’ll start by taking a boat to the mainland, then drive to Orange Walk.

The 2-hour scenic boat ride from Orange Walk to Lamanai is an experience in itself. Along the way, you’ll see endless jungles, some Mennonites villages, and lots of wildlife. Expect to see birds, crocodiles, and maybe manatees.

Lamanai Ruins Tours From San Pedro

You can ask your hotel about tours to the ruins or check out the tour operators in town. Another option is to book a tour from Belize City (see options below) and take the first ferry from San Pedro to Belize City. As it’s a long journey, you can plan to spend a night or two in Belize City and book more day tours so you can explore mainland Belize further.

Best Lamanai Tours from Belize City

Arranging a tour to Lamanai from Belize City is quite easy, you can ask your hotel, and check out the many local tour operators to find the best deals. Make sure to check what’s included or not. If you’re traveling during the busy season, it’s better to book ahead, here are a few top-rated options:

Practical information

What to bring

Sunscreen
Water and snacks
Mosquito repellent
Comfortable shoes
Raincoat

How to reach Lamanai without a tour

The closest city to Lamanai is Orange Walk. From there, it’s either a 2-hour boat ride (via a tour company) or a 26-mile ride through a dirt road. The only bus to Lamanai (Indian Church) leaves from Orange Walk on Monday afternoons and comes back on Fridays. If you’re traveling in a group, you can hitchhike but don’t do it if you’re alone.

Lamanai ruins tours from Orange Walk

There are several companies based in Orange Walk that offers tours to Lamanai. They all offer basically the same thing, but the prices vary between $50 US to $120 US.

You can also join a Lamanai tour from Belize City or San Pedro.

Lamanai entrance fee and opening hours

The entrance fee is 10 BZD for foreigners, 5 for locals. The site is open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM.

Where to stay near Lamanai

Right next to Lamanai, you’ll find the Lamanai Outpost Lodge, the only accommodation in the area. They offer all-inclusive packages as well as accommodation-only options. The all-inclusive package includes transfer from Belize city, full board, and two activities a day.

There are a few options in Orange Walk, from budget accommodation to high-end hotels.

Other things to do in Orange Walk

Apart from visiting Lamanai, there are not many things to do in Orange Walk. You can stroll around downtown and check out the market. You can also relax by the river or go to one of the city’s many pools.

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