Arriving at Lamanai, we were expertly guided through its fascinating temples and ceremonial areas. Each structure came alive with stories of its purpose and significance, painting a vivid picture of Maya culture and civilization. Of course, not every tale was sweet; these heady days also included sacrifices and, on occasion, head-rolling—sometimes triggered by nothing more than winning a game of poc-te-poc, the traditional Maya ball game.

Unlike many Maya sites that had long fallen into ruin, Lamanai was the last known populated site into the 18th century, thanks to its strategic location near fresh water. Our guide, Hipolito—a direct Maya descendant—brought the history to life, effortlessly sharing key phrases in the Mayan language while describing iconic structures like the Jaguar Temple and ancient ball courts.