Lamanai vs Altun Ha

[robindina]

Planning on booking a ship excursion and debating between the two. What are the Pros and Cons of each? I have never been to any Mayan ruins so not sure what to expect.

[crewsweeper]

Many people think Lamanai is a better site to visit. It's not as fully unveiled as Altun Ha. But it is a long all day trek. You may or may not have time to do anything else (including grabbing a cold beer) before catching the last tender back to the ship.

 

Altun Ha is closer to Belize city and often combined with other excursions, like a Belize City tour. Shorter in time and can be done via private excursion with less probability of missing ship and a bit more time to walk around the tender pier. Different ship excursions offer different amenities but most private vendors offer a lunch at a local place near the ruins.

 

Having never seen a Mayan ruin, either would work. Altun Ha can give more of an impressive of what the city looked like. Lamanai can give a better feel as to the surroundings and how nature reclaimed the area.

[JimAOk1945]

We enjoyed seeing Lamanai. You might enjoy seeing a slide show my wife made with some of the pictures she took on our cruise line sponsored shore excursion. She posted the slide show on her website. You can view it at the link I'll insert below.

 

Lamanai Mayan Ruins at Belize

 

Happy cruising!

[cruiselvr04]

Just back from Altun Ha. We did a ship excursion thru RCL. Basically it was an hour and 15 minutes by bus each way to the site. Remember this is a foreign country so when you get there you have to hear the guide speaking as there are no signs or placards. While impressive to see that is about it. We did climb the stairs to the top of one for a better view but were at the site barely an hour. It was raining, misting more then rain and the Mosquitos were horrid. I only got bit once since I used a deet product but if you go without bug spray they will eat you! If you can not do active excursions this an alternative but active at this port are much better.