Belize is best visited between December and April. November through February are the ideal months for a Belize small ship cruise. Any time of year is a great time to take a catamaran charter cruise in Belize, and each season has its own benefits.
Belize Weather & Climate
Belize has a year-round, pleasant subtropical climate that makes travel possible. Around 80 degrees Fahrenheit on average per year, with an 85% relative humidity. Low 60s are not unheard of during the coldest winters. On the mainland, summer temperatures can soar as high as the mid-nineties.
Most of the year, trade winds blow along the coast, cayes (pronounced keys), and reef, maintaining comfortable temperatures. The south and lowland jungle regions receive the most rainfall. North and on the cayes are where it is lightest. Altitude affects climate, with evenings being pleasantly cool at higher elevations while the lowland jungle is frequently muggy and humid. Read on for more information and our professional advice on when to visit Belize.
Best Time Visit Belize To Go Swimming
On the beaches of Caye Caulker, Ambergris Caye, and hundreds of other islands along the Belize Barrier Reef, the dry season, which lasts from December to April, brings brilliant blue skies and a plethora of birdlife to the Caribbean Coast. As a result, hotels and transportation companies increase their prices by 30% to 50%. Extra-high “peak” prices apply from mid-
If you want to enjoy some Christmas sun, reservations are required from mid-December to mid-January.
The best time to visit the country’s Maya wonders, such as the stepped pyramids of Caracol and Altun Ha and the menacing masks adorning the temples at Lamanai and Xunantunich, is also during the dry season.
Best Time Visit Belize To Go For Budget Adventures
Outside of the busiest dry months, there are fewer visitors, but the majority of Belize’s attractions are open all year round, and hotel rates are reasonable. Between November and May, temperatures remain warm, there are lots of dry days, and you won’t have to share the temples, beaches, or jungle with a crowd.
Coming in November also gives you the opportunity to attend the celebration of Garifuna Settlement Day, which honors the culture of the Garifuna people, who are the exiled Carib people of Central America and the descendants of escaped slaves from Africa.
May is a fantastic month for scuba diving in Belize because there is a good chance of running into whale sharks, which congregate in the Gladden Spit & Silk Cayes Marine Reserve to feed on the eggs laid by breeding snappers.
Even though whale sharks haven’t been spotted for a while, there is still hope that they will show up again soon. There are several good reasons to travel inland, including the cashew and chocolate festivals in Toledo and Crooked Tree Village.
Best Time To Visit Belize Go For Low Prices
However, this is the off-season for a reason, so low season doesn’t always mean low prices. From June to mid-November, the nation experiences high temperatures and a lot of rain. Particularly at night, when thunder and lightning put on quite a show, rain is present.
Particularly in September and October, a number of hotels and tourist destinations close their doors for the year. Muddy trails and an overabundance of mosquitoes also make trips to Maya ruins and the rainforest unpleasant.
Between August and October, hurricanes are a possibility and they can wreck havoc on the coast (Hurricane Nana, which hit Belize in 2020, was the most recent hurricane to do so). The majority of the showers occur overnight or early in the morning, so don’t let that sound like a gloomy forecast. It doesn’t rain all day, or even every day.
Resorts frequently reduce their rates, offering some excellent deals for tourists who don’t require perpetual sunshine. Bring waterproof clothing, a backpack cover, and a dry bag for your electronics to be safe.
Best Time To Visit Belize For Diving
The best diving in Belize is available all year long, but the peak diving months are April through June. These months provide ideal conditions for swimming in the ocean, as well as calm currents that make diving enjoyable for all divers—even beginners. In the lovely, azure water, you can anticipate temperatures between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius.
For whale shark diving, Belize is among the best locations on earth. Whale sharks, despite their common misnomer, are actually the largest fish in the world, with average lengths between six and 16 meters. They rank among the most enigmatic animals on the planet. The locations of where members of endangered species mate and rear their young remain a mystery to scientists despite decades of research.
March through June is when the elusive creatures congregate about 50 kilometers off the coast of Belize, with the best chances of seeing them in April and May. Visitors can go snorkeling or scuba diving with the creatures at this time. Daily tours usually leave Placencia two days before the full moon and run for up to ten days afterward, repeating the cycle the following month. Every diver should put meeting these gentle giants up close at the top of their bucket list because it is a truly magical experience.
You can easily find a dive site in Belize that suits your interests and diving experience level thanks to the incredible variety of dive sites there. Reef sharks, sea turtles, and tropical fish abound on the Belize Barrier Reef. Shark Ray Alley allows visitors to get close to nurse sharks. Additionally, new dive sites are available annually along the Southern Coast. Ask local tour guides for specific recommendations on where to dive while visiting Belize.
Belize Dry Season – High Season For Travel
Belize’s dry season, which lasts from December to May, is prime time for travel and cruising. Temperatures that range from warm to hot, sunny days, calming trade winds, and little rain are characteristics of the climate.
From December through February, strong northerly winds called “nortes” can blow (see norte season below). With little rain, pleasant temperatures, and calm, clear water, the months of March and April are ideal. When rain does occur during the dry season, it usually does so in brief, moderate bursts that have a pleasant cooling effect.
Prices rise during the peak season, particularly around the Christmas and Easter holidays. Attractions and hotels are more crowded. Small ship cruises to Belize are in high demand. If you want to visit Belize during the dry season, we advise making your reservations as soon as possible.
Belize Rainy Season – Low Season For Travel
Belize experiences its rainy season from June through November. Warm temperatures and brief but occasionally heavy rain are characteristics of the rainy season, also known as the green season or Belize low season. Flowers and trees in bloom bring the rainforest and its wildlife to life. Travelers now have easier access to wildlife and birds as a result.
Tropical rainfall occurs in June or early July and is punctuated by a reprieve in late July and August known as the “mauger” or “little dry season.” September and October are when it rains the most. Unless there is a tropical storm, rain showers usually last one to two hours.
Regional differences in rainfall can be significant. For instance, Belize’s southern region can receive more than 150 inches of rain annually, compared to the north, which only occasionally gets that much rain.
Conclusion
Belize is a great option all year long. Our experts have determined that December through April is the ideal time of year to visit Belize. We are here to help you plan the ideal trip, any time of year, and we can advise you on the best month to visit Belize based on a number of variables.
