Ideal times to explore Belize while avoiding the heat or rainy season

Belize, a small tropical gem, blends the Latin charm of Central America with the vibrant culture of the Caribbean, making timing your visit essential.

To fully experience Belize’s ancient Maya ruins, lush rainforests, and stunning barrier reef (the largest after Australia), aim to visit during the dry season from December to April. During off-peak times, you’ll find fewer crowds and lower prices, perfect for a laid-back tropical escape.

Many travelers recommend the shoulder months of November and May, when abundant sunshine meets significantly less beachgoer competition in Belize’s Caribbean.

However, some activities are best enjoyed in dry weather – rainfall can hinder diving in the eerie Great Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef or navigating the submerged caves of Actun Tunichil Muknal.

Additionally, the summer heat can be quite overwhelming. Here’s our guide to help you find the ideal time for your Belize getaway.

The dry season (December to April) boasts the most favorable weather.

With stunning blue skies and vibrant birdlife along the Caribbean coast, Belize’s dry season (December to April) is perfect for birdwatching, sunbathing, swimming, and diving at the beaches of Caye Caulker, Ambergris Caye, and many other islands dotting the Belize Barrier Reef. As a result, accommodations and transportation providers raise their prices by 30% to 50%.

While the dry season truly kicks off in late January, the period after the New Year attracts a large number of visitors, resulting in a spike in prices. Consequently, the elevated “peak” rates apply from mid-December to mid-January. If you're hoping to soak up some Christmas sun, it's essential to make reservations early.

San Pedro hosts lively New Year's Eve celebrations, and horse races take place at Burrell Boom. Cyclists participate in the Krem Annual New Year's Day Classic, riding from Corozal to Belize City.

In February, accommodation rates remain high, with strong demand for boat trips to the cayes and excursions to caves, ruins, and jungle reserves. As lagoons and rivers begin to dry up, birds become more visible as they gather around the dwindling water sources.

The dry season is also the optimal time to discover the Maya marvels of Belize, from the towering pyramids of Caracol and Altun Ha to the striking masks that decorate the temples at Lamanai and Xunantunich.

Caving enthusiasts can take advantage of the dry conditions to explore sacred underground caves like Actun Tunichil Muknal and the Nohoch Che’en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve.

Belize embraces Easter with fervor, so anticipate larger crowds during the weeks surrounding Semana Santa (Holy Week) in April.

Visiting in November and May offers fewer tourists and lower costs

Visitor numbers drop before and after the peak dry months. Still, most of Belize’s attractions remain open, and accommodations are budget-friendly. November and May bring warm temperatures, plenty of dry days, and the chance to explore temples, beaches, and jungles without the crowds.

If you visit in November, you can partake in the festivities for Garifuna Settlement Day, which honors the culture of the Garifuna people—descendants of escaped enslaved Africans and Indigenous Carib individuals who were displaced to Central America from St. Vincent. This celebration takes place on November 19.

As May comes to a close, humidity rises, marking the transition from the dry to the wet season. However, this period can be ideal for travel, featuring fewer tourists and lower prices. Many attractions remain open, and there are still plenty of dry days.

May is also an excellent time for diving in Belize, as there was previously a good chance of spotting whale sharks feasting on the eggs released by breeding snappers in the Gladden Spit & Silk Cayes Marine Reserve.

Unfortunately, whale shark sightings have become increasingly rare in recent years, though there is hope for their return in greater numbers soon.

May also offers compelling reasons to explore inland, with the chocolate festival in Toledo and the cashew festival in Crooked Tree Village being notable events.

The wet season spans from June to October.

While low season brings affordable prices, it's labeled as the off-season for good reason. From June through mid-November, the country experiences heavy rainfall and elevated temperatures, with rain most often falling at night accompanied by impressive thunder and lightning displays.

Many hotels and tourist attractions shut their doors during this time, particularly in September and October, while excursions to the rainforest and Maya ruins can be hampered by muddy trails and a surge in mosquitoes.

Hurricane season runs from August to October, bringing the potential for disruption along the coast (the last hurricane to hit Belize was Hurricane Nana in 2020). However, this doesn’t mean it rains all day, or even every day; most rainfall occurs overnight or in the early morning hours.

On the flip side, September is the most vibrant month in Belize, especially in Belize City, where locals exuberantly celebrate national holidays.

During the wet season, many resorts significantly reduce their rates, offering great deals for travelers who can forgo constant sunshine. To stay prepared, pack waterproof clothing, a rain cover for your backpack, and a dry bag for your electronics.