Lamanai Tour Belize: River Cruise + Mayan Ruins Guide
Lamanai tour guide: the New River cruise to the ruins, howler monkey sightings, three temples, and how to pick between Belize City and San Ignacio departures.
At a glance
About this Belize website
Lamanai tour guide: the New River cruise to the ruins, howler monkey sightings, three temples, and how to pick between Belize City and San Ignacio departures.
- Publisher
- bookbelizetours.com
- First discovered
- 13 September 2026
- Last checked
- 15 September 2026
Information found on this page
Highlights and services
Choose your tour option
Multiple bookable versions of this experience. Pick the one that fits your group. Lamanai Ruins & New River Cruise Full day · 9 hours $140 / adult Select Mystic Lamanai Expedition Full day · 9 hours $150 / adult Select Lamanai Ruins, River Cruise & Howler Monkeys Full day · 8 hours · Small group $169 / adult Select
Overview
Full day8-9 hours w/ river cruiseFrom $125Boat + ruins + lunchRiver cruiseNew River wildlife approachHigh TempleClimb above the canopy At a glance Cost $125-$175 From Belize City / cruise Duration 8-9 hours Full day Highlight River cruise Crocodiles, birds en route Best for Wildlife fans Photo-friendly site Recommended Quick answer: Lamanai is a major Mayan archaeological site in northern Belize, on the western shore of the New River Lagoon. The site is partially excavated, with three main temples (High Temple at 33 meters, Mask Temple, Jaguar Temple) plus dozens of smaller structures spread across the jungle. The standard approach is a 90-minute boat cruise up the New River from a launch po
A note from the curator
Through ScalePact I work with operators running Lamanai tours from both Belize City and San Ignacio. The two approaches differ enough that they affect which travelers should pick which, and the picks above come from what consistently gets the strongest feedback. What sets Lamanai apart from the other mainland ruins is the New River cruise to reach it, a jungle journey that happens to end at a Mayan site rather than a quick drive-up.A bit of context that makes the site worth the longer day: Lamanai was occupied for an unusually long stretch of Mayan history, from roughly 1500 BC through the Spanish contact period in the 1500s AD, over 3,000 years, longer than almost any other major Mayan site
What's included
Included Round-trip transport from Belize City / cruise terminal90-minute New River boat cruise each waySite entry fee ($10 USD)LunchLicensed English-speaking guideBottled water Not included Alcoholic drinks at the picnic areaPaid photo packages (some operators)Gratuities ($5-$10 guide, $3-$5 boat captain)
From the publisher
Photos from the website
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