Best Time Of Year To Go To Belize

The simple answer to the question of when is the best time to visit Belize is all year round!. With a lovely sub-tropical climate that sees daytime highs around the low to high 80s and nighttime lows rarely below 75 Fahreinheit, 300 or more sunny days a year, and delightful sea breezes, Belize is an ideal destination at any time.

Due to its location close to the equator, Belize does not have four seasons like in more temperate latitudes. There are just two seasons in Belize, usually referred to as the “high” season and the “low” season. The high season is when more tourists generally visit, often to escape wintry weather elsewhere between the months of November and April. The low season sees fewer visitors, but lodges and resorts generally offer reduced rates, and all of the major attractions are still available, running between May and October. Even during the “summer” months of July and August, daytime temperatures rarely climb above the high 80s, and “winter” nights in December and January rarely drop below 75 Fahrenheit.

The High Season

Sometimes referred to as the “dry” season, the period running from mid-November to about mid-April sees an abundance of sunshine and sporadic showers. The winds can sometimes blow more strongly, especially “northers” bringing cool air down from the Mexican highlands but generally the waters of the Caribbean remain still enough to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling.

The Low Season

The low or green season runs from some time in late April until the beginning of November. Expect more frequent showers, generally at night or early in the morning, with plenty of sunshine throughout the day. Temperatures are slightly lower, with daytime highs around the low 80s and nighttime low in the mid-70s Fahrenheit.

Belize’s Events and Festivals

One of the best ways to enjoy your time in Belize is by participating in one of the country’s many exciting celebrations, events, and festivals.

Cultural Celebrations

San Pedro Carnival

Every February, the colorful town of San Pedro engages in one of its most riotous celebrations featuring parades, paint wars, and men and women dressed up from head to toe in make-up and exotic costumes.

Deer Dance

The Maya Empire may be long gone, but today’s Maya descendants celebrate their heritage by performing the complex Deer Dance. Featuring a troupe of 24 dancers dressed as different animals, the Deer Dance is one of the oldest cultural traditions in Belize.

National Holidays
St. George’s Caye Day

In 1798, in the waters off of St. George’s Caye in what is now Belize, the British navy resoundingly triumphed over the Spanish, setting the stage for the independent nation of Belize to become the only English-speaking country in the region.

Independence Day

After centuries of British rule, Belize became a fully sovereign nation in 1981. Every year, this September 21 holiday is celebrated with parades, music, and proud waving of the national colors (red, white, and blue).

Garifuna Settlement Day

Fleeing the might of the British following an uprising, the iconic Garifuna people landed on the shores of Belize at the beginning of the 19th century. Combining African and indigenous islander traditions, the Garifuna’s unique contribution to the oral and intangible history of humanity is celebrated every November 19.

Baron Bliss Day

Every March, the entire nation of Belize turns out to honor its most unique benefactor. Baron Bliss, an eccentric Englishman who never set foot in Belize, fell in love with the country, leaving a sizable portion of his estate to further the economy and education of Belizeans in 1926. Today, the holiday is celebrated with a regatta, horse racing, and toasts at the lighthouse he designed.

Note: the official name for this holiday has been changed to National Heroes and Benefactors Day.

Pan American Day

Every October 10, the entire nation of Belize turns out to celebrate the rich and varied history of the indigenous people of Belize and throughout the Western Hemisphere. Some towns hold beauty pageants while others stage musical festivals, parades, and cultural exhibitions.

Music Festivals

Battle of the Drums

Every year in November, local drummers from Belize and the neighboring region play to the crowds on hand in Punta Gorda. Lasting through the night, the Battle of the Drums is a celebration of traditional Garifuna musical traditions.

Sporting Events

KREM New Year’s Day Cycling Classic

January 1 marks the opening of Belize’s popular cycling calendar with a thrilling race from Corozal Town to Belize City.

Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic

The oldest continuously held sporting event in Belize, this endurance race is held every year on the Saturday before Easter. Starting at 6:00 AM, cyclists leave Belize City to complete a loop through San Ignacio and then back to Belize City. First held in 1928, the Holy Saturday Cross Country Race measures more than 142 miles and features competitors from Belize, the United States, and other countries throughout the region.

La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge

What began as a one-off event to raise awareness about the Belize River has now turned into one of the most popular sporting events in the country. This four-day, 179 mile-long canoe race sees competitors battling their way along the entire length of the Belize River.

Other Festivals and Events

Cashew Day

Cashews are much more than delicious, locally grown nuts. On Cashew Day, visitors can sample a variety of cashew dishes and sip on cashew wine while enjoying live music.

Chocolate Festival

The southern Toledo District is the heartland of Belize’s cacao growing district. Every May, the entire district turns out to sample dozens of chocolate dishes, drink chocolate beer, and browse interesting goods like chocolate soap.

San Pedro Lobster Fest

The capital of Ambergris Caye celebrates the opening of the lobster season with a huge festival in June. Visitors can sample a wide variety of lobster dishes while dancing to the rhythm of calypso, reggae, and indigenous musical genres.

The Black Orchid Resort

Located just a 15-minute drive from the international airport in Belize City, the quiet oasis of Black Orchid is a luxury resort elegantly set on the banks of the pristine Belize River near the village of Burrell Boom. With a full range of modern conveniences and luxuries, the Black Orchid Resort is within easy distance of the top attractions in the country, including the Belize Zoo and the Maya ruins of Altun Ha.

Questions about visiting Belize ? Send us an email or call 610-0912. We will love to help you plan your Belize vacation.

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