When to Go

Belize has a subtropical climate, with weather similar to Southern Florida.  Average daytime temperature is generally 80°F (27°C) on the coast and cayes, with summertime averages ranging much higher.  Winter, from November to March, can bring cold fronts into the southern regions, dropping the temperatures into the cool range.  The Cayo District and other inland regions are typically slightly cooler than the coastal and caye destinations.

Tourist Season

The main tourism season in Belize coincides with the winter months in the United States, Canada, and Great Britain: late November to late April.  This is also the dry season, with plenty of sunshine to enjoy on the region’s beaches.

In addition to the sun and warm weather, tourist season brings the higher prices and crowds common to any resort destination, so it is the best policy to make reservations well in advance, especially around the Christmas and Easter holidays.

Time for Sun And Fun

March through May are the best months for guaranteed fun in the sun.  On Ambergris Caye, Mardi Gras, called Carnival, is a days-long celebration before Easter that always draws large crowds. 

The first weekend of July is Caye Caulker’s Lobsterfest, an unforgettable celebration. Placencia holds a summertime Lobsterfest as well.

Back on Ambergris Caye, the weeklong San Pedro International Costa Maya Festival in early August is an explosion of color and music.  It is usually followed by a brief dry period in mid-August, known as the mauger.

Off-Season Vacationing

The rainy season runs from June to mid-November, while the hurricane season runs from July to October, with the most active months being August, September, and October. For the most part, the rainy season is characterized by a dependable and short-lived afternoon shower, with June and September the wettest months.

Between late August and mid-October, the height of both the rainy and hurricane seasons in Belize, is not a time for those unnerved by wild weather, but braver visitors will find good bargains.

From late December to February, winds from the north - "northers" - can hit the coastal and caye areas hard, and sometimes continue as long as five days, which can spoil a beach vacation, but has little impact on a trip further inland.