Mayan Ruins Adventures

The Maya were the first organized civilization to inhabit ancient Belize, dating back to Classic Period, about 300 AD. Today, the great monuments, Mayan temples, and stone cities of this ancient civilization stand erect and intact in Belize.

Walking amongst the artistic, creative, and detailed remains of the ancient Mayan ruins is at once an awe-inspiring and eerie experience. Belize is the center of the Maya civilization and is known to have the largest concentration of Mayan ruins in Central America. It’s believed this area of Belize may have as many as 1,300 Mayan sites still unexcavated.

Many land-based Maya exploration tours are paired with exciting journeys into the tropical rainforest, caving below the surface, or floating lazily down underground streams or lazy rivers.

Book an exciting and adventurous time exploring the wonders of the cave system through your very own Belize Caving Expedition. Archeologists have discovered the remarkable connection between the secrets of the caves and the underworld of the Maya. The ancient Maya considered the caves the portals to the underworld: a dwelling place for the gods, ancestral spirits, and a source of both good and evil spirits.

Mayan Ruins Tour

The Mayan ruins of Lamanai are found on the 30 mile-long New River Lagoon banks in North Central Belize. The Lamanai Archaeological Reserve also contains a museum, the remnants of two 16th century Spanish Churches and a colonial sugar mill established in 1860. Set in a tropical forest and providing a unique experience in Maya culture and the biological diversity of a tropical rainforest. This Mayan Ruins tour departs at 7:00 am and returns at approximately 6:00 pm if traveling by boat. If traveling by air, the departure is at 7:45 am, and the return flight lands in San Pedro at 12:30 pm.

Cost:

• By Boat (water taxi): starting at $250 USD per person
• By Air: starting at $337.50 USD per person

Lamanai Ruins and River Tour

Take the 18-minute flight to Tower Hill Airstrip, followed by a 15-minute drive to the awaiting skiff for the 1-hour boat ride on the New River. As the boat winds its way deeper into the jungle, be on the lookout for tropical birds, Morelet’s crocodiles, exotic flowers like orchids, bromeliads, and lily pads on the riverbank. Once at the site follow your expert guide on the trails leading to the ball court, Jaguar Temple, and other temples of importance; be sure to take your picture by the “Masks”. While on the trails be on the lookout for occasional troops of spider or howler monkeys and if lucky the elusive national bird of Belize, the Keel Billed Toucan among other birds in the jungle canopy above you. Lunch is served after the tour on site under the jungle canopy followed by the boat ride back for your fight back to the island. Taxi departs the hotel lobby at 7:15am for the 8am flight and returns around 2pm back at the San Pedro Airstrip for your taxi ride back to the resort.

Flight departs the island on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, spaces available depending on aircraft size.

Cost:

•  $292.50 USD per person all included