Ruins Excursion on Own

[eric-n-beth]

Has anyone ever done either the Altun Ha or Lamanai on their own rather than booking the excursion through their cruise line? I am interested in doing this with a party of 5 and would like to not be restricted by the regiment of the cruise lines.

 

I would also be interested in finding out what people's impressions are of the two ruins I have metioned.

 

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

Eric

[DonMar]

Has anyone ever done either the Altun Ha or Lamanai on their own rather than booking the excursion through their cruise line? I am interested in doing this with a party of 5 and would like to not be restricted by the regiment of the cruise lines.

 

I would also be interested in finding out what people's impressions are of the two ruins I have metioned.

 

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

Eric

 

 

Here are some threads that will answer many of your questions:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=627119

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=696575

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=702183

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=699478

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=693701

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=468743

 

Additionally, here is what I wrote on CC right after we returned from Lamanai. Hope this helps.

 

We just returned from a cruise which took us to Belize. I was set on exploring Lamanai. First let me say that we DID go to Lamanai and it was the very best thing I did on the entire 8 day cruise. It was also one of if not the most beautiful place I have ever been to.

 

Secondly, be warned, it is not a quick trip. There is a very high risk of not making it back to the ship. Because this was our last port of call we took the risk - bringing all of our travel documents just in case. We DID make it back thanks to our two tour guides - Richard for his Indy driving and Jr. for his expert boat handling skills on the New River.

 

A few things to know about if you want to go to Lamanai:

 

1. Belize is a tender port. You must get out on the first or second tender. I found that cruise ships like to get their excursion passengers off first so make sure to speak to the Purser's Desk and confirm the tendering procedure. On the morning of arrival, make sure to be in the gathering location early and be politely firm about getting off the ship.

 

2. You will need a print out of your confirmation with tour time - make it as early as possible! The cruise ship will ask for this as proof of an early tour.

 

3. Have your travel documents with you just in case you miss the tender. The ship leaves ON TIME.

 

4. The drive from the pier to Orange Walk is at least 1 1/4 hours. Then you take a boat ride 24 miles down the New River. We traveled at about 22 knots the entire time so it took us about another hour or so. Then you have to do it all over again to get back!

 

5. Traffic in Belize City can be tough mid day.

 

6. If you go bring bug replant and wear good hiking boots/sneakers and pants. There is a lot of mud in areas and if you climb any of the temples you need to have really good footwear and pants.

 

That being said, I wish we had more time to explore this beautiful place. Because we left so early we were the only ones at Lamanai and it was WONDERFUL. This is a site that does not get a lot of cruise traffic - just what I like. I can not wait to go back to Belize and spend a number of days at Lamanai.

 

I contacted the Belize excursion company and they booked the trip for me. Even though they had all of our cruise info - they were not as cognizant of our time constraint as I thought they would have. Because we were nervous out the excursion, we e-mailed the company from the ship and moved the start time up one hour. (E-mailing from the ship is expensive so get your ducks in a row before you go.)

 

Richard our land based guide drove us to Orange Walk with the speed of a Puma. What a great job.

 

Jr. took us down the New River with a few stops along the way to see wildlife - including crocodiles. He was fantastic. Jr. also took us around Lamanai and was very knowledgeable. He encouraged us to climb the largest temple - so we did. Now that I am home I can say that I was glad that I did it. What a thrill!

 

This is not a fancy cruise tour. This is a real experience to be enjoyed.

 

Tip: Leave your backpacks on the ground but take a camera.

 

[eric-n-beth]

DonMar:

 

Thank you for the excellent input and all the links...very informative all around.

 

As I was weighing our options, I beleive that though the Lamanai tour would be more extensive and a bit more exciting (with the boat ride), we will likely opt for the Altun Ha tour (through an independant).

 

We have travellers in our group of seven at both ends of the spectrum...my four (nearly five) year-old son and my 63 year-old MIL who has had double hip repalcement surgery.

 

Altun Ha seems like a more sedate site to visit and due to the half-day tour option will still allow DW and DMIL to do some shopping.

 

Thank you again...I am sure we will get back to Belize in a few years when the son is a bit bigger and we will consider Lamanai at that time.

 

Eric

[obxer]

Lots of info, Do you know or have an opinion of Xunantunich ruins compared with Lamanai. We are first timers and have impression this is a must see site despite the all day time issue. Whats your thought?

[Toyz711]

i did a lot of research using these pages:

Xunantunich

http://www.belizeexplorer.com/cgi-local/explorer.cgi?db=explorer&uid=default&Category=Mayan+Sites&view_records=1&nh=12&mh=1

lanamai

http://www.belizeexplorer.com/cgi-local/explorer.cgi?db=explorer&uid=default&Category=Mayan+Sites&view_records=1&nh=6&mh=1

 

i wanted to do Xunantunich, until i found out that it was a an even longer day trip that lamanai. for lamania, we were 1st off and next to last tender back. while on the cruise, at a lecture about mayan ruins..it mentioned that Xunantunich had been cancelled to the lenght of tour. we were on the NCL spirit, in belize from 8am to last tender at 5pm. if i had more time in port, i would love to do Xunantunich.