Major city · Belize
Lamanai
Take a 6‑7 h river boat from Orange Walk (or pre‑arranged cruise ship tour) and spend a half‑day exploring the ruins; one day is enough.
Lamanai is a remote Maya site in northern Belize reachable only by a 26‑mile boat ride up the New River. The ruins and wildlife can be seen in a single guided tour, so a one‑day visit is sufficient.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BZD
- Best months
- Dec–May
- avoid Jun–Nov (rainy season)
- Airport
- BZE
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Belize ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Belize's Immigration Department or a Belizean embassy before booking.
- Belize ↗Snorkel and dive in the marine reserves only with licensed guides; do not touch coral or feed marine life.
- Belize ↗Leaving by land or sea costs BZ$40 (US$20) in cash at the border or dock; the air departure tax is in your ticket.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Lamanai911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Lamanai, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Belize dollar (BZD, $), fixed at 2 to 1 US dollar; US dollars are accepted almost everywhere.Belize-wide
- SIM or eSIMDigi (Belize Telemedia) and Smart sell SIMs at the airport and in towns; bring your passport.Belize-wide
- Tap waterTreated water in Belize City and San Pedro; most visitors drink bottled or filtered.Belize-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10–15% if no service charge.Belize-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/G. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 110 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Belize-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; watch for river currents and wildlife; keep valuables secure on boat.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; bring paper for bus stops.Belize-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 Medical
- Sundays & holidaysMany businesses close on Sundays in small towns and on Good Friday.Belize-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBZE Philip S.
- Getting aroundBoat from Orange Walk or cruise‑ship departure is the only access; walking paths at the ruins are uneven – not wheelchair‑friendly.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Museum or sight ticketEntry fee to LamanaicheckBZD 30
- Budget bedOutpost Lodge room, a night, per roomBZD 350
- Mid-range bedOutpost Lodge room, a night, per roomBZD 450
- High-end bedOutpost Lodge room, a night, per roomBZD 600
A day, not counting the bed: Budget BZD 120 · Mid BZD 180 · High BZD 250
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BZE Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (Main international gateway; about 2 h drive to Orange Walk (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Feb
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Dec–May. Avoid: Jun–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lamanai: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Boat from Orange Walk or cruise‑ship departure is the only access; walking paths at the ruins are uneven – not wheelchair‑friendly.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lamanai ruins
goDoor to door: 6–7 h tour
Boat from Orange Walk (≈26 mi river trip) arranged by local hotels or cruise‑ship operator
Guided tours include boat, guide, and entry (check); climb El Castillo at your own risk.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Lamanai Outpost Lodge
Only lodging near the site; higher price, basic amenities.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- BZD 120–180 excl. lodging
- Mid
- BZD 180–250 excl. lodging
Trip budget
| Outpost Lodge room1 × 1 night × BZD 450 | BZD 450 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × BZD 180 | BZD 360 |
| Boat round‑trip from Orange Walk2 × BZD 150 · check | BZD 300 |
| Guide and entry fee2 × BZD 30 · check | BZD 60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | BZD 117 |
| Trip total≈ BZD 644 per person per day, bed included | BZD 1,287 |
check
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Boat trip (round‑trip)check | BZD 150–200 |
| Entry fee to Lamanaicheck | BZD 30 |
| Meal at Outpost Lodgecheck | BZD 20–35 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- River boat trips depend on water level; check schedules in advance.
- No wheelchair access on the walking trails.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Medical
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
LamanaiLamanai
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police/Medical911
Embassy
US consulate in Belize City; Belize embassy in Washington, D.C.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Orange Walk → Lamanai boat: about BZD 150 round‑trip, 2 h each way (check)
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta el bote? — How much does the boat cost?
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the restroom?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Lamanai. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–May · avoid Jun–Nov (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Book boat via Orange Walk hotels or cruise‑ship operators.
- Consider staying at Lamanai Outpost Lodge for early start.
Sources
Ask about Lamanai
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