November is here, marking the beginning of the “high season” and one of the absolute best times to visit this remarkable country. The rains of summer are over, and November is a month of long, sunny days and deliciously warm temperatures topping out at around 83°F (28°C).
November is also when competition heats up between airlines, making it easier to get great deals on airfare. Five airlines – American, Delta, Southwest, Sun Country, and United – now fly non-stop to Belize (airport code: BZE) from major cities like Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis. And beginning on November 17, Aeromexico will start flying to Belize from Mexico City, making it easier for travelers to enjoy a longer vacation in the region.
There are lots of exciting festivals to enjoy in Belize during November, too. One of the biggest and most popular is Garifuna Settlement Day on November 19. The Garifuna are a unique Afro-Caribbean people with their own language and history of music, drumming, dance, and food. Garifuna Settlement Day is when the entire country celebrates the arrival of the Garifuna to Belize over 200 years ago with street parades, drumming, and snacking on traditional foods like cassava bread and hudut (a kind of fish stew made with plantains and coconuts).
Another popular festival that takes place in November is the legendary Battle of the Drums. In 2018, it will be held on November 17-18 in Punta Gorda. Teams of drummers from across Belize and Central America will be competing in five exciting styles of traditional drumming. This event lasts long into the night as sweaty drum troupes are cheered on by the enthusiastic crowds. And beginning at 6:00 a.m. (yes, that early) on November 18, Punta Gorda will also host the Belize Garifuna Music Festival where you can hear local musical genres such as Punta, Punta Rock, Paranda, and Hungu Hungu.
And while Thanksgiving (November 22) isn’t an official holiday, there are lots of people who will be enjoying a turkey dinner with all the trimmings in Belize. Instead of worrying about cooking and cleaning, you can relax in style while watching the big game(s) back home live via satellite TV.
If you’re coming to Belize this November, be sure to stay at Laru Beya. A beachfront resort located on the stunningly beautiful Placencia Peninsula, Laru Beya is home to the Quarterdeck Restaurant, a three-story open-air establishment with lots of delicious food, including a traditional Thanksgiving meal made with a soulful Belizean twist!
And if you book now, you can enjoy special discounts on rooms and vacation packages.
