The site
Lamanai was occupied for an unusually long time, from well before the Classic Maya period until after the Spanish arrived. The Mask Temple is decorated with large stone masks, the High Temple offers views over the forest canopy, and the Jaguar Temple is named after its jaguar carvings. Howler monkeys live in the trees around the temples.
Getting there
Most visitors take a boat trip up the New River from Orange Walk, about 1.5 hours each way, with crocodiles, birds and the occasional monkey along the banks. Day tours also run from Belize City and the cayes.