The Lamanai Mayan site is located northwest of Belize City. It was inhabited until well after 1492, making it the longest-occupied Maya site in Belize. The site consists of more than 50 structures spread over what is now the 950 acre Archaeological Reserve. The most impressive of these is the largest Pre-Classic structure in Belize. It is a massive, stepped temple built into the hillside overlooking the New River Lagoon. Ruins of numerous dwellings, a ball court, and several other temples also remain. One of Belize’s finest stelea is found here, which depicts an elaborate carving of the ruler Smoking Shell. Lamanai also has an archaeological museum of findings from the site.
The tour visits this site by a scenic boat trip on the New River. Some of the birds we may encounter on this trip include Black-Collared Hawk, Northern Jacana, Mangrove Swallow, Olive-Throated Parakeet, American Pygmy Kingfisher, and occasionally a Purple Gallinule.
Other types of wildlife such as the endangered Morelete’s Crocodile and Green Iguana are also a common sighting on the way to Lamanai. While visiting this archaeological site we will have the opportunity to view birds such as Red-Lored Parrot, lesson’s Mot-mot, Collared Aracari Toucan, Lineated and Pale-Billed Woodpeckers, and Black-Headed and Gartered Togons. In addition, Yucatan Black Howler Monkeys are usually seen or heard here.
