Lamanai is one of Belize's finest Maya sites, set on the western shore of the New River Lagoon about 50 km south of Orange Walk Town. The site contains three major pyramid structures, including the High Temple — 33 metres tall and climbable, with views across the lagoon and surrounding jungle canopy. Several elaborately carved stelae remain in good condition, and a small on-site museum provides context on the site's extraordinarily long history.
Access is almost always by boat from Orange Walk Town (see the New River Boat Trip), which adds considerably to the experience. Tours typically spend two to three hours at the ruins before the return trip. The combination of jungle setting, intact architecture, and reliable wildlife sightings makes Lamanai consistently one of the most rewarding Maya sites to visit in the region.