National park · Belize
LubaantunLubaantun Archaeological Reserve
Enter Lubaantun for a short walk (≈30 min) for BZD 5–10; add a 1 km (0.6 mi) forest trail if you have a guide, best in dry season Nov–Apr, avoid rainy afternoons.Enter Lubaantun for a short walk (≈30 min) for BZD 5–10; add a 0.6 mi (1 km) forest trail if you have a guide, best in dry season Nov–Apr, avoid rainy afternoons.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1915
Best months
Nov–Mar
UNESCO
None
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.
At a glance
- Country
- Belize
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- Site covers about 0.5 km² of ruins (check).
- Established
- 1915
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Lubaantun is a Late Classic Maya site in southern Belize, known for its stone‑notch construction, three ballcourts, and a quiet forest setting that can be explored in a short walk.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1915.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1915
Site covers about 0.5 km² of ruins (check).
Why go
- Maya stone‑notch construction and three ballcourts.
- Quiet forest setting with easy access from the road.
- Nearby craft market with Maya baskets and clay ocarinas.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool mornings.
- FebDry, warm days.
- MarDry, low rain chance.
- AprEnd of dry season.
- MayIncreasing showers.
- JunRainy, humid.
- JulRainy, possible flooding on trails.
- AugRainy, hot.
- SepRainy, occasional storms.
- OctTransition to dry, fewer crowds.
- NovDry, pleasant.
- DecDry, cool.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds of the Columbia Forest ReserveAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance area | Gate, visitor information board, craft stalls. | Open with fee. |
| Main ruin complex | Temples, ballcourts, stone‑notch structures. | Open; short walk from gate. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata centre of the site; entrance gate approximated.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance fee | BZD 5–10 | person | Official fee at the gate (check) |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Entrance permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish.
- Food
- Not allowed inside the site; snacks and drinks available in San Pedro Columbia village.
- Guides
- Required for the forest trail; the main ruin area is self‑guided.
Where to stay
Near the park
Punta Gorda
Hotels and hostels; 30 min by road.
Safety
Rain‑induced trail slipperiness medium
Heat low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Entrance area reachable by car or bus; short ruin walk is level ground.
- Forest trail has uneven sections; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Buy crafts directly from local artisans; avoid middlemen.
- Use guided forest trail to limit off‑trail damage.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Lubaantun?
The official entrance fee is BZD 5–10 per person, paid at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Lubaantun?
A short 30‑minute walk around the ruins and, with a guide, a 1‑km forest trail to the riverbank.
When is the best time to visit Lubaantun?
The dry season (Nov–Apr) offers the clearest paths and least rain; avoid the rainy months Jun–Oct.
Can I visit Lubaantun without a guide?
Yes, the main ruin area is self‑guided; a guide is required only for the optional forest trail.
Where can I stay near Lubaantun?
Guesthouses in San Pedro Columbia village or hotels in Punta Gorda, both within 30 minutes by road.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Lubaantun
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