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The
Lamanai day tour is one of the most interesting tours in Belize. A
45 minute drive up the Northern Highway brings you to Tower Hill,
where you board a river boat and head up the New River. While
traveling the many little creeks and lagoons, it is easy to
encounter hawks, kites, falcons or a monkey or two. At the entrance
to the New River Lagoon, the ruins of Lamanai (Maya for submerged
crocodile) rise into view. The ruins of Lamanai, one of Belize's
largest ceremonial centers, are located on the banks of the 30 mile
long New River Lagoon in
North Central Belize. With one of the longest occupation spans in
the Maya World, Lamanai has been continuously occupied for over 3000
years. While touring this site, huge masks depicting dead rulers and
gods seem to materialize out of the rainforest, amid the chatter of
bid-life and the haunting call of the Howler Monkeys. Your guide
will point out the Copal and Ramon trees, which were of great
importance in ancient times. The Lamanai Archaeological Reserve also
contains a museum, the remnants of two 16th century Spanish churches
and a colonial sugar mill that was established in 1860. Set in
tropical forest and providing spectacular views from several of its
large temples, Lamanai provides a unique experience in the culture
of the Maya and the biological diversity of a tropical forest.
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