Monkey Business in Belize
Updated 1 Apr 2023
What would I do if a Spider Monkey dropped in for lunch while paddling down the river? Hand him a paddle and make him work for his meal. They will work for peanuts to start but soon expect a raise to bananas. That’s called Monkey Business.
Travel the New River
A great day trip in northern Belize is a ride down the New River from Orange Walk to Lamani.
If you don’t have a canoe, several small boats take tourists up and down the river.
First, you have to get yourself to the town of Orange Walk. A lot of people come from cruise ships that dock at Belize City. They spend a lot of time driving back and forth, less time in Orange Walk, and pay more for the trip. Cruise ships are luxurious and comfortable, but for the adventurous and budget conscious, it is much better to travel by land. You will see and experience a lot more. You can get to Orange Walk on a bus from Chetumal, in Mexico or by bus from Belize City if you fly to Belize. If you travel to Belize from Mexico, the bus leaves from the new market in Chetumal. It is just an old school bus, so don’t expect anything fancy.
The Mayan ruins of Lamani
The primary purpose of the boat trip is to visit the Mayan ruins at Lamani, but the boat trip is much more interesting than the ruins, especially if you have seen a lot of Mayan ruins in other places. Although the ruins are fascinating also and worth a visit.
Monkeys, Crocodiles and Birds on the New River
There are lots of birds and critters to be seen along the river. If you stop under a tree and have a banana or two lying around, a Spiker Monkey might drop down into your canoe or boat to have lunch with you.
Keep your eye out for Morelet’s Crocodile. This fresh-water croc is not as aggressive as its salt-water cousin. They are found only in Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. Morelets grow to a length of three metres (9.8 feet). They are slightly different from American Crocodile and American Alligator in that they are smaller and have a broader snout.
Look closely at the trees along the river bank. You might see sleeping nighthawks or bats.
Arranging your Tour
A good tour is the Princess Abigale. That is the name of the boat, not a tour company. You can find the owner in his office in Orange Walk’s town square. If you stand with your back to the clock tower, you can find his office in the far-right corner of the square. Tour companies charge about $150 for this trip, but you can arrange it yourself for about $50. You can get more information at the Hotel de la Fuente, a good place to stay. Try to get a room in their newer building at the back. Behind the second building are trees along the river, which is a good place to look for birds. There are a couple of rooms at the very back with a balcony. The hotel can also arrange tours to Lamani. The cost of the trip should include lunch (ask).
Great Restaurant in Orange Walk
A great place to eat in Orange Walk is the Canadian-owned restaurant in a park-like setting near the bridge. After quite a bit of time in Mexico, I enjoyed a very nice Alberta steak, which they import. It looks fancy, making me think it would be costly, but prices were average for a good restaurant. Try to eat before dark or wear socks. I got several mosquito bites around my ankles as this is an open-sided structure.
Monkey Business on the New River is one of my favourite trips in Belize.
For information on the Mayan Ruins of Central America, click “Ruta Maya” on the travel menu bar above. While in Belize, be sure to visit the great little Belize Zoo.