LAMANAI

Lamanai translates as "submerged crocodile", and the site is located along the New River. At the entrance, a small museum greets you with explanations of the site and traditional Mayan culture, including the original stele of the ruler Smoking Shell, a replica of which can also be seen on site. A number of tables are available for visitors to stop and picnic. You then immerse yourself in the archaeological site, and it's a good idea to bring along a mosquito repellent lotion, essential in this jungle environment. Animals come to meet you as you head deeper into the temples, and howler monkeys are a common sight.

Then it's time to discover the 8 magnificent Mayan plazas and structures dating from the Classic and Pre-Classic periods. Lamanai, the ceremonial site within which the temples are scattered, themselves immersed in lush greenery, creating a landscape of breathtaking perfection. It wasn't until the 1970s that the site really began to be discovered by archaeologists. Its first description, by Thomas Gann, dates from that year. Excavations began in 1974 and lasted 14 years, during which time the most important structures were discovered and restored: the Mask Temple, the Jaguar Temple and the High Temple. From its summit, you'll have a breathtaking view of the entire region, and may even catch a glimpse of the sea.