Lamanai is Mayan for "submerged crocodile".
Large pyramid at Lamanai, Belize

Lamanai, one of the most visited archaeological sites of Belize, is in the Orange Walk District, situated on the New River Lagoon. Located in the middle of tropical jungle, it is hot and very humid.

The site can be reached by bus from Orange Walk in about 2 hours. We recommend Vince Avila of ‘Avila & Sons’ from Orange Walk, who provides an nice trip by boat on the New River which also takes about 2 hours. From almost any location in Belize you can get an organized tour to Lamanai.

Lamanai is Mayan for "submerged crocodile". Many representations of the crocodile can be found throughout this site. Pollen evidence dates the earliest occupation at the site to be about 1500 B.C. The earliest pottery has been dated to about 500 B.C. Lamanai is also known for the remains of two 16th century Christian churches and a 19th century sugar mill. The artifacts of Lamanai include stone, clay, wood, bone, shell, jade, gold, copper, glass, iron and even liquid mercury. Lamanai, like so many other Mayan sites in Belize experienced heavy looting between 1920 and the early 1970's. The central area of the site covers approximately half a square mile. The central area plus the residential and other minor structures are spread over 950 acres, which is the present size of the official archaeological reserve. Once a thriving imperial port city it utilized the flatlands on the other side of the lagoon for farmland. Many of the up to 100-foot-tall structures have yet to be excavated.

Official guides are available for hire. The highlight of Lamanai is most definite the river trip on the New River and the arrival to the site as well as the dense jungle surrounding the ruins and the view from atop the ruin.