Which Maya Ruins

[cruiserfan007]

Hi Everyone, We are heading to Belize in March and want to see some ruins. Out of the three listed which ones do you guys like and also know that I will make it back to the boat on time.... Xunantunich Mayan Ruins, Lamanai Mayan Ruins, or Altun Ha Belize Mayan Temple. Thanks for the help....Steve

[crewsweeper]

Hotly debated on this board.

 

If you want to see ruins not yet fully excavated in an "Indian Jones" jungle setting with a boat ride and 4WD over dirt roads to get there, do a tour of Lamanai. If your ship doesn't offer an excursion to here, you can find a private vendor with an excursion. You do runt he risk of missing the ship on return, but the vendor will make every effort to get you back in time. From what I've heard it's very very rare for someone on a Lamanai tour to miss the last tender back. But it is a long long tiring day in the heat.

 

If you want to see ore fully excavate ruins with great views of 2 countries, do a ship excursion to Xunantunich. AC bus/ hand cranked ferry ride across a small river, nice lunch in San Ignacio. Again possible for an all day or nearly all day excursion, but if you're late the ship will wait.

 

If you want a partial jungle walk smaller but nice set of ruins and some time to do other things, Altun Ha would be your choice. Some ships have a one way ride via boat up the River Wallace to the ruins with a bus back. But you can easily do this cheaper via a private vendor.

[JimAOk1945]

I agree. We haven't seen the other two mentioned, but we have been to Lamanai. It is fantastic. I highly recommend it.

 

Maybe seeing pictures will help you decide. I'll insert a link to the slide show my wife made with some pictures she took for her website.

 

Lamanai Mayan Ruins

 

It's a long day but worth it! Happy cruising!

[Racer70]

My wife, daughter and I went on the Lamanai Mayan Ruins/New River tour on January 22, 2015. We booked with Elio of Lamanai Belize Tours several weeks before our cruise based on positive reviews and experiences. We came to Belize City on Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Sea, which had to tender 4 miles off shore.

 

After a hectic tender process of getting to shore, Elio's driver Julian met us just as agreed outside terminal one with a sign with our name greeting us. Julian was very friendly and professional and said that we can stop the worrying and let him take care of us from here. We took a short walk to his air conditioned van where he assured us that he would have us back to the port well in time to make our last tender.

 

We went through Belize City and Julian was constantly giving us information about Belize and its people and culture. He was very informative. It's nice to let someone else do the driving who knows their way around, because there are some crazy drivers and scooter drivers in Belize.

 

The ride to the river was about 45 minutes. Upon arrival we met with Elio and another of his young helpers. Before boarding the power boat for our trip up river to Lamanai, we were able to use the restrooms and were offered bottled water for the boat trip.

 

As most have said, the boat ride is an excursion in itself. The day was very hot and sunny as we made our way up river winding through narrow channels and then open water with the warm wind blowing through your hair. Our boat did have a canopy on it to protect you from the sun.There is much beauty along the way, such as flora and birds. You may encounter some fisherman and will also pass a Mennonite village along the river bank.

 

Once we made our way to Lamanai, we stopped at the nice bathrooms. They also have souveniers for sale. Elio then led us on a hike through part of the jungle to the ruins and explained each site and the different trees and flora. We were practically by ourselves as we were ahead of the large cruise ship excursion groups that would follow.

 

The ruins were beautiful and we were able to climb the big temple and take pictures from high atop. They were also howler monkeys in the trees nearby. Elio also offered to take several pictures of us.

 

Due to time constraints of getting back to the ship, we had to depart and board the power boat for the trip back to Elio's dock. Once again, the boat ride back was a thrill all of its own and something to remember. Once back to Elio's dock, we were seated at a picnic table and treated to an awesome Belizian lunch consisting of spicy chicken, rice, beans, spicy slaw and hot sauce and bottles of Coke made with 100 % sugar cane, not the junk we get in the USA.

 

Again, pictures were taken and we paid Elio's father and thanked each of them for a great time and experience. Then we boarded the air conditioned van and Julian drove us back to the port terminal with about 30 minutes before our last tender.

 

This is outfit is locally run by Elio and his family. The live in Belize and know and understand the Belizian and Mayan culture.They are true professionals and take care of every detail to enhance your experience and to make certain you are back to port to make your tender.

 

If you want a locally run company, who is professional, timely and provides exactly what they tell you, then please skip the large cruise ship tours with 30, 40 or more people and book with Elio and his family at Lamanai Belize Tours. You will not be disappointed, we weren't

[1beachbum1]

Hotly debated on this board.

 

If you want to see ruins not yet fully excavated in an "Indian Jones" jungle setting with a boat ride and 4WD over dirt roads to get there, do a tour of Lamanai. If your ship doesn't offer an excursion to here, you can find a private vendor with an excursion. You do runt he risk of missing the ship on return, but the vendor will make every effort to get you back in time. From what I've heard it's very very rare for someone on a Lamanai tour to miss the last tender back. But it is a long long tiring day in the heat.

 

If you want to see ore fully excavate ruins with great views of 2 countries, do a ship excursion to Xunantunich. AC bus/ hand cranked ferry ride across a small river, nice lunch in San Ignacio. Again possible for an all day or nearly all day excursion, but if you're late the ship will wait.

 

If you want a partial jungle walk smaller but nice set of ruins and some time to do other things, Altun Ha would be your choice. Some ships have a one way ride via boat up the River Wallace to the ruins with a bus back. But you can easily do this cheaper via a private vendor.

 

Perhaps you can answer this question, I've tried numerous threads without luck. How long are the walking distances on this tour? Can a generally fit person who has difficulty walking more than 100-200ft at a stretch then has to rest a few minutes do this tour. Thanks in advance for any info,

[JimAOk1945]

Perhaps you can answer this question, I've tried numerous threads without luck. How long are the walking distances on this tour? Can a generally fit person who has difficulty walking more than 100-200ft at a stretch then has to rest a few minutes do this tour. Thanks in advance for any info,

 

 

Are you asking about Xunantunich? The following information is from the Princess Cruise Line website under Shore Excursion for one of the itineraries that goes to Belize. The Princess website is really good for detailed shore excursion information. I hope this answers your question. This information pertains to a Princess shore excursion so it may be a little different from whichever cruise line you are going on.

 

Depart the dock for a guided tour of Xunantunich Maya site

 

Details:

 

Travel time: 01:45 Transport type:Air Conditioned Transportation

 

Transport Capacity (Normal Use):45

 

Time at site:01:00 Inside Visit :Yes

 

Walking distance (yards):880

 

Total number of steps:50

 

Wheelchair accessible?:No

 

Restrooms available?:Yes

 

Shopping available?:Yes

 

Air conditioned?:No

 

Currency accepted:USD Credit cards accepted: No

 

Photo/Video opportunity?:Yes

 

Photo/Video restrictions?:Yes

 

Depart Xunantunich site for lunch venue

 

Details:

 

Travel time: 00:30 Transport type:Air Conditioned Transportation

 

Transport Capacity (Normal Use):45

 

Time at site:01:00 Inside Visit :Yes

 

Walking distance (yards):20

 

Wheelchair accessible?:Yes Handicap

 

Restrooms available?:Yes

 

Free Time at Site (minutes):30 Shopping available?:No

 

Air conditioned?:No

 

Photo/Video opportunity?:No

 

Photo/Video restrictions?:No

 

Return transfer to tender docks

 

Details:

 

Travel time: 01:45 Transport type:Air Conditioned Transportation

Edited February 2, 2015 by JimAOk1945

[crewsweeper]

Perhaps you can answer this question, I've tried numerous threads without luck. How long are the walking distances on this tour? Can a generally fit person who has difficulty walking more than 100-200ft at a stretch then has to rest a few minutes do this tour. Thanks in advance for any info,

That's very doable at Altun Ha. At Xunantunich, I've seen a wheel chair get pushed up the trail to the ruins. It's a somewhat steep but relatively short climb from the shuttle van parking lot. Bring a collapsible walking/hiking stick to assist if you wish.

[Mo-n-CJ]

My wife, daughter and I went on the Lamanai Mayan Ruins/New River tour on January 22, 2015. We booked with Elio of Lamanai Belize Tours several weeks before our cruise based on positive reviews and experiences. We came to Belize City on Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Sea, which had to tender 4 miles off shore.

 

After a hectic tender process of getting to shore, Elio's driver Julian met us just as agreed outside terminal one with a sign with our name greeting us. Julian was very friendly and professional and said that we can stop the worrying and let him take care of us from here. We took a short walk to his air conditioned van where he assured us that he would have us back to the port well in time to make our last tender.

 

We went through Belize City and Julian was constantly giving us information about Belize and its people and culture. He was very informative. It's nice to let someone else do the driving who knows their way around, because there are some crazy drivers and scooter drivers in Belize.

 

The ride to the river was about 45 minutes. Upon arrival we met with Elio and another of his young helpers. Before boarding the power boat for our trip up river to Lamanai, we were able to use the restrooms and were offered bottled water for the boat trip.

 

As most have said, the boat ride is an excursion in itself. The day was very hot and sunny as we made our way up river winding through narrow channels and then open water with the warm wind blowing through your hair. Our boat did have a canopy on it to protect you from the sun.There is much beauty along the way, such as flora and birds. You may encounter some fisherman and will also pass a Mennonite village along the river bank.

 

Once we made our way to Lamanai, we stopped at the nice bathrooms. They also have souveniers for sale. Elio then led us on a hike through part of the jungle to the ruins and explained each site and the different trees and flora. We were practically by ourselves as we were ahead of the large cruise ship excursion groups that would follow.

 

The ruins were beautiful and we were able to climb the big temple and take pictures from high atop. They were also howler monkeys in the trees nearby. Elio also offered to take several pictures of us.

 

Due to time constraints of getting back to the ship, we had to depart and board the power boat for the trip back to Elio's dock. Once again, the boat ride back was a thrill all of its own and something to remember. Once back to Elio's dock, we were seated at a picnic table and treated to an awesome Belizian lunch consisting of spicy chicken, rice, beans, spicy slaw and hot sauce and bottles of Coke made with 100 % sugar cane, not the junk we get in the USA.

 

Again, pictures were taken and we paid Elio's father and thanked each of them for a great time and experience. Then we boarded the air conditioned van and Julian drove us back to the port terminal with about 30 minutes before our last tender.

 

This is outfit is locally run by Elio and his family. The live in Belize and know and understand the Belizian and Mayan culture.They are true professionals and take care of every detail to enhance your experience and to make certain you are back to port to make your tender.

 

If you want a locally run company, who is professional, timely and provides exactly what they tell you, then please skip the large cruise ship tours with 30, 40 or more people and book with Elio and his family at Lamanai Belize Tours. You will not be disappointed, we weren't

 

Great information! How many people were on your boat? Did he slow down at all to show you the wildlife?

[jenanderic]

I just booked Xunantunich Mayan Ruins for my husband and I in June. I love looking at the ocean, but not one to "get in" it. I booked this through Carnival since it is a 7 hour excursion. I didn't want to miss the ship!

[ondebyou]

I can only recommend Xunantunich, through the ship,since i have not visited the other sites yet. The bus ride is very informative on the way to the site.Once off the bus, and across the river, the Vans take you the last mile or so to the location of the rest area just below the actual site for about a 20 minute break. then you hike uphill on a narrow paved road to the site itself, about 300 yards. There were two other guides there that took over and lead us through the site explaining the details of the different structures there. Once we reached EL Castillo(the highest Temple) we were allowed to climb to the top to enjoy the magnificent view of Belize and Guatemala. When the guided tour was over, we returned to the bus then stopped for a welcomed lunch, then back to port.

Edited March 2, 2015 by ondebyou