In the past a refuge for mestizos seeking to escape from Spanish purges in the Yucatan, Orange Walk district is a wild area, dominated by deep forest (much being preserved by Programme for Belize), Mayan ruins, and the largest population of birds in the country.

Orange Walk Town, the principal town of the area, is 55 miles or a 75 minute drive north of Belize City. The town is a mix of Spanish, Maya, East Indians, visiting Mennonites (who originally emigrated from the deep south at the end of the US civil war), and Chinese. Mexican influences remain strong, and you will hear both Spanish, English and creole spoken.

Passing through the town is the New River, once an active Mayan trading waterway, and leading to the stunning Mayan ruins of Lamanai, on the edge of the New River Lagoon. The trip to visit these ruins is a marvelous journey by boat along a river teeming with life, including anhingas, snail-kites, crocodiles and iguanas sunning themselves, cormorants, bats and jacanas, and passes communities of denim-dressed Mennonites.

Set amongst the jungle are several lodges, such as Lamanai Outpost Lodge and Chan Chich Lodge, offering great locations to explore the surrounding areas. The district has become a very popular destination for birding, professional and amateur. Belize is part of one of the richest birding areas of the planet, and Orange Walk with its diverse habitats records the largest bird list in the country. Around 366 bird species have been recorded in the Lamanai area, and still rising. 

attractions

Mayan ruins of Lamanai, Altun Ha, La Milpa, Cuello, and Nohmul

Boat trip along the New River to see the wildlife and Lamanai ruins

Birding (see above)

Exploring the vast areas of jungle

Visiting Orange Walk Town, visiting Godoy's Orchid Garden (more than 250 species of orchids and bromeliads)

Fishing for tarpon in the New River

Rio Bravo Conservation area, managed by Programme for Belize

visitor info
You can visit the ruins of Lamanai and Altun Ha as day trips from Belize City or one of the cayes. Otherwise we recommend a stay of 2-3 nights at one of the lodges, so that you can relax and explore the surrounding area in comfort. The lodges usually offer transfers to and from Belize, either by air or by road/boat (for example Lamanai Outpost Lodge).

If you don't take a transfer to one of the lodges, we recommend you have your own 4WD rental car for greatest flexibility and mobility. 

getting there
The drive there from Belize City to Orange Walk Town takes 1 1/4 hours. The New River is closer, and the boat trip to Lamanai takes 1 1/2 hours, just slightly longer than the road trip from Orange Walk Town to Lamanai through the villages of Yo Creek and San Felipe.