River cruise to Mayan Ruins

Trip Start May 11, 2005
1
164
259
Trip End Ongoing


Loading Map
Map your own trip!
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
shadow

Flag of Belize  ,
Monday, May 14, 2007

  One of the highlights of Belize is the Lamani ruins.  Since we did not plan to stay in Belize long (since it is so expensive) this is one of the two places we decided on going. The Lonely planet says the best way to go the the ruins is via a 90 minuet river cruise.  This way you get a nice breeze and get to see some wildlife.  The big kicker is that is the tour is 45 US dollars which is huge when your backpacking. 
    The tour was very informative and for once I learned something about the ruins.  The river cruise was ok but the wildlife we saw was a smattering of birds and some really small crocodiles.  That did not compare to South America or Australia.  The coolest thing I did see was a gathering of small bats on tree bark.  I was literally 1 foot way from these bats and could not see them at all. Suddenly we got to close and  they all appeared out of thin air and flew away. 
   The ruins were full of howler monkeys that sound like a deep guttural screaming demon.  Our guide was full  information about  animals,  plants and the ruins but alas I cant remember much now.  One funny part was that when we got off the boat to go the ruins our guide dropped a huge bottle of water in the river.  Being hot anyways Dave and I decided to dive down and find it.  Dave dove in first and it turns out the water was only 6 feet deep with bottomless mud bottoms. Basically Dave did a lawn dart into the mud and almost got stuck head first underwater.  We never did find that water bottle the guide dropped due to the endlessly mushy bottom.
Slideshow Print this entry Belize City hotels