To reach Lamanai, one must travel up the New River for a 26 mile scenic boat ride through dense jungle. The trip is best organized in Orange Walk Town, where several hotels can book a boat trip for you. If you are arriving by Cruise Ship, you can prearrange your Lamanai Excursion online. Along the New River one can see a variety of wildlife including exotic birds, Morelet's crocodiles, and howler monkeys. You can also see native people on makeshift canoes swimming and fishing along the New River. As you travel further down the river you pass many Mennonite villages that have been there since the 1700's. In fact young Mennonite children greet you as you arrive at Lamanai selling peanuts and homemade cookies. It is hard to turn down the barefoot innocence of these young entrepreneurs.
