Lamanai Temples, River Wildlife Tour
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Lamanai is arguably Belize’s must-do temple tour. This impressive Maya temple is easily accessible as a full-day tour - explore the temples shrouded in the jungle along the banks of the New River Lagoon. Explore the Mask Temple, High Temple, Jaguar temple as well as the on-site museum. Tour fee of US$30 (covering park fee & tax) is due in cash on tour day. Rate is based on 4 persons - supplement fee may apply if we are unable to join an existing tour.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
You will travel by one hour scenic boat ride through the New River. Your guide will point out many species of riverside plants as well as a large variety of birds that make their home along the banks of Belize's largest fresh body of water.
Lamanai Archaeological Reserve
Follow the paths through the jungle as you explore the temples of Lamanai. Perhaps the most iconic is the Mask Temple! You will also have an opportunity to climb to the top of the High Temple!
What‘s Included
meet & greet, with round trip air conditioned transfers
delicious Belizean traditional lunch with beverage!
licensed, professionally guided tour
GST tax of US$20 per person, payable in cash to the driver
Lamanai Temple
pick up starts in Belize City - island transfers are not included
Pickup points
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Lamanai Temples, River Wildlife Tour
Pickup included
Reviews
50 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Lamanai
David M,Feb 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Tour was great! Javier, our guide, made it very fun and was knowledgeable. Tour operator was responsive and made sure we were taken care of throughout.
Fabulous Tour and Support
Kathryn W,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our driver Elvin, who pick us up at our hotel, was friendly and knowledgable. We shared an interest in birding and he pointed out some birds as we drove to the boat launch site. Our tour guide and boat captain, Humberto, made the trip memorable. He knew the river terrain and the local wildlife like the back of his hand and made sure we all had a chance to see the local residents, from birds, bats, iguanas, and crocodiles. We heard the howler monkeys near the ruins and Humberto filled us in on their behaviors and habitat. He was also very knowledgable about the ruins and the latest historical and archeological studies. I booked with Viator because of the exceptional quality I experienced on past tours in other locations. This tour more than exceeded my expectations. A great day all around.
Great dive into Mayan Culture
Harris K,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Wonderful combination of land and water tour. Guide was terrific and very knowledgeable. Lunch was local foods which added to the experience
Great experience- Wildlife and culture
Elisabeth M,Dec 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The river cruise is already a great experience. The subsequent tour of Lamanai temples was very professional and interesting. The warm picnic brought along very delicious. A highly recommended tour!
Bad experience!
Felipe D,Dec 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00Don’t go with Viator to see Lamanai! It is one of the worst travel agencies I have dealt with in my 45 years of travels. I paid in advanced and Viator told me that they would pick me up from my hotel at 8:00 am: they never showed up and never called me. After I phoned Viator many times, at 8:45 they finally answered, they told me they didn’t know what was going on and they hung up on me. I had to phone again a bunch of times before they answered. When I asked why they didn’t phone me back, they told me they couldn’t get in touch with me! (Viator had my e-mail address, my mobile phone number and obviously they knew the hotel I was staying at) In that conversation they rescheduled the departure time for 10 am, - 2 hours later! -, but they didn’t show up at that time either. When I phoned again they gave me all kinds of excuses…. They showed up at 10:25. The driver still had to go and collect other tourist, so we started the journey at 11:30. The information of the Lamanai tour specifies that the journey lasts 8 hours; in my case it was less than 6 hours. You have to be aware that you go to see the temples of Lamanai, but the entrance ticket is not included in the price of Viator's tour. Viator also asks you to pay an extra amount after you have paid for the tour. I am a travel agent myself, I have toured more than 60 countries and I can tell you I haven’t seen such unprofessional work anywhere else. AVOID Viator!
Great day trip from Belize city
Molly B,Jul 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Ignacio our boat driver and guide through Lamanai and Elvin our driver were both fantastic! Personable, knowledgeable, and entertaining. The drive was fairly long (1.25 hours?) but it was well worth it. The boat ride was really pretty and the tour of Lamanai was educational and very interesting. Lunch was really tasty too.
Don't miss out
Amie D,Feb 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Super fun boat ride. Super cool Archeological Site where you can climb the steps of an ancient ruin. Super delicious lunch by the river. Don't miss out
Worth Every Minute and Every Mile
BoardingPass293617,Jan 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was amazing from beginning to end! We were a little hesitant about booking it because we were coming from Ambergris Caye so the travel to and from would add quite a bit of time, but it was 100% worth the travel time! From the moment Elvin picked us up at the airport, we were treated like old friends. He kept the hour long drive to the river boat interesting with lots of information about local sights as well as Belizean culture on the whole. Colin and Alberto were absolutely incredible tour guides on the river and the temple grounds. Colin could spot a critter/bird/monkey/iguana/tarantula from seemingly miles away, and Alberto's knowledge of the history of the ruins was truly astounding. I could follow these guys around for days! My only regret is that I couldn't convince every person in my vacation group to take this excursion. Truly the experience of a lifetime.
Great trip
226matyc,Dec 30, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour guide was well informed and made the trip fun. The temples are well preserved and the museum adds to the overall understanding of Mayan culture
Reaching these beautiful...
Ludovic S,Dec 23, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Reaching these beautiful temples by speed boat in the middle of the jungle is just a great experience
From US$155.00
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