Explore The Mayan site of Lamanai and River Tour

The Mayan site of Lamanai, situated in Belize's Orange Walk District, graces the banks of the 30-mile New River Lagoon, north of Belize City. Known for its impressive longevity, Lamanai was continuously occupied for over 3, 000 years, from 1500 BC to AD 1675. The site features eight major plazas, a ball court boasting the largest known ball court marker, and a well-preserved mask of a Maya ruler adorned with a crocodile headdress. Additionally, a 108-foot-tall pyramid stands as one of the largest Preclassic structures in the Mayan region. Intricately carved stelae portray the ruler "Lord Smoking Shell, " serving as highlights of the site. Also present are remnants of a Christian "Indian Church, " revealing that the Spaniards constructed a church atop a Mayan temple in 1544. A comprehensive on-site museum showcases pottery, flint artifacts, and figurines, many of which depict crocodiles, highlighting the animal's significance to the people of Lamanai. .