Belize in January-March

Occurring in the middle of the high season, January to March is the driest time in Belize when temperatures hover around 75 degrees, humidity remains low and comfortable, and the sun shines brightly. There is a chance of a cold front sweeping through, bringing chilly weather by tropical standards.

The clear weather results in the ideal time to explore the jungles, national parks, and Mayan ruins while March proves the best time to dive at the Barrier Reef. However it also means these months are the busiest with crowds gathering at the popular sites.

Holidays & Events

• February: Spanning the week before Lent begins, Fiesta de Carnaval is a boisterous display of music, dancing, costumes, and culture.
• March: The Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge is a four-day canoe race from Hawkesworth Bridge to the old capital that tests endurance and is open to anyone. Spectators follow along to camp out and party at the race’s checkpoints.
• March 9: Named for British-born traveler Baron Bliss who willed $2 million Belize dollars to benefit the Belizean people, Baron Bliss Day is celebrated on his date of death. The highlight of the celebration is an annual boat regatta.

Must See

Similar to Mardi Gras in meaning, Carnaval runs the week before Lent begins and is a time for people to indulge in the pleasures they’ll be giving up. The beach town of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye organizes a festival full of food, dancing, and fun. Comparsas, or street dancing groups, dressed in costumes and a men’s group in women’s clothing dance through the streets while revelers cover each other in paint and raw eggs.

Belize in April-May

Temperatures and humidity increase going into April and May as the dry season winds down to a close, though the coastal winds in the north can bring in some cool air. With the conclusion of high season, crowds will thin except around Easter when tourists arrive to witness the festivals associated with the holiday.

Weather in the Cayo district and Cayes remains dry in late spring, making for an ideal opportunity to enjoy the region’s cerulean beaches with smaller crowds. The water becomes calmer moving into the summer, allowing for good visibility while diving at the Great Blue Hole.

Holidays & Events

• April: Held in the remote village of San Jose Succotz, the three-day San Jose Succotz Festival celebrates the patron saint of the town with marimba music, dance, and food.
• Late March or April: Easter is celebrated with processions depicting the crucifixion of Jesus, which pass along colorful sawdust carpet art made by locals. At each station of the procession, participants act out a different scene.
• May: Taking place in Punta Gorda in the Toledo District, CacaoFest—or the Chocolate Festival of Belize—celebrates the cacao bean with local crafts and chocolate making and eating.
• May: During the Cashew Festival held in the Crooked Tree Wildlife Reserve, the national park’s Creole village demonstrates the many ways to use the cashew.

Must See

During these months, whale sharks—the largest animal in the ocean at 40 feet long—migrate to the warm waters of Belize, namely near the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve in Belize’s Barrier Reef, allowing divers to swim alongside these gentle giants.

Belize in June-July

June is considered one of the warmest months in Belize, though the tropical weather remains hot and humid through the next few months. The Caribbean summer makes the white sandy beaches particularly inviting where visitors can soak up some sun, take a dip in the ocean, or scuba dive in the calm waters.

Along with the summer comes the wet season as sudden, but short thunderstorms arrive in the afternoon or evening. Southern Belize tends to see more rain than the north. In July, the climate also begins to cool with the beginning of the low tourist season. 

Holidays & Events

• June: In early summer, Belize kicks off lobster season with Lobsterfests in various cities by eating lobster dishes from grilled or baked into fritters to lobster ceviche or stew.

Must See

Lobsterfests across Belize launch the country’s lobster season, which runs June 15 through February 15, with alcohol, concerts, beach parties, outdoor food booths serving lobster dishes, and even beauty pageants with contestants in lobster costumes. But most notable are the events in San Pedro, which hosts the largest Lobsterfest at a week-long on its white sand beaches, and Placencia, which features games and eating contests.

Belize in August-October

Beginning in August, the hurricane season continues through October with tropical storms ripping across the Caribbean country. The season is marked by high humidity as well as regular torrential downpours that usually only last an hour or two.

During hurricane season, many businesses stay closed and some outdoor activities like snorkeling or cave exploring may be canceled. However, August can experience a short break from the rain and wind in the form of a dry period called the mauger.

Holidays & Events

• August: The Costa Maya festival in San Pedro encapsulates the local soul of Belize and the Mundo Maya countries in Central America with live performances, pool and beach parties, dining, and the beauty pageant for Miss Costa Maya.
• September 10: St. George’s Caye Day marks the anniversary of the only major armed conflict to occur on the island with most locals partaking in patriotic parades.
• September 21: To celebrate Independence Day, Belizeans join in float parades and festivals. The two largest celebrations are the Belize City Carnival Parade and the Orange Walk Carnival Parade, which are marked by rowdy, colorful displays of loud music and costumed dancers. Other carnivals take place in the preceding days around the country.
• October 9: PanAmerican Day features parties, music and dancing, parades, and horse races to celebrate the mestizo culture of Belize.

Must See

As one of the country’s largest festivals, the Costa Maya Festival in San Pedro on Ambergris Caye overwhelms the senses with the vibration of music, the noise of all-night dance parties, and colorful costumes and flashing lights. Cultural groups and musicians from the surrounding countries perform for dancing crowds while beauty queens vie for the title of Miss Costa Maya International. While listening to music, comedians, and other performers, visitors also enjoy cookouts, games, and the town’s beautiful beaches.

Belize in November-December

During the winter, Belize’s temperatures cool off, creating balmy days for visitors to enjoy exploring outdoors—though there is still a chance of afternoon rain during these months. Mid-November ushers in the dry season, as well as the high season, with more tourists coming into the country.

The peak tourism season takes its full effect in late December when visitors come to experience the parties, festivals, and traditions around Christmas, New Year, and other winter holidays.

Holidays & Events

• November 19: Each year, the country celebrates National Garifuna Day, the day the Garifuna people came to live in Belize, with parades and festivities featuring the group’s traditional clothing, drumming, dancing, and food.