The Best Time To Visit Belize
What’s the best time to visit Belize? That’s complicated by the fact that there’s inherently no wrong time to visit Belize. The country’s ideal location right along the equator ensures that it’s privileged with a mild climate throughout much of the year, and the notion of a rainy season is vastly overstated. That’s to say that there is no one appropriate season for visiting Belize, but finding the right window of opportunity within the two seasons that define the country can ensure that you have the most pleasant experience possible and the opportunity to truly and fully enjoy everything Belize has to offer.
Understanding the High and Low Season
Belize doesn’t experience the traditional four-season climate you’d find in America or much of the rest of the world. Instead, Belize is defined by a “high” and “low” season, and while these correspond roughly to spring and summer in terms of how Americans view seasons, these identifiers are as much about the climate in the rest of the world as they are about the natural conditions of Belize itself.
The high season runs approximately from mid-November to the end of May and naturally overlaps with the colder months of America. And since Belize experiences temperate and pleasant weather while much of the world is suffering through long nights and frigid temperatures, it’s the most popular time of year for vacationers. The high season is Belize at its busiest. The most popular towns and villages are bustling with tourists and backpackers. If you’re looking to meet other tourists and get away from the muted circumstances of winter and fall, the high season is the time to go. Just keep in mind that you can expect to pay a little more for airfare, lodgings, and events.
The low season in Belize is also referred to as the green season, but that’s a bit of a misnomer. While it’s certainly a change of pace from the mostly dry weather of the high season, the rainfall itself generally isn’t oppressive. Throughout most of the low season, rain normally only comes in the mornings and late in the evenings. That gives visitors plenty of time to enjoy the outdoors without the risk of getting wet. The rainfall cuts the regional heat, creating a pleasantly temperate environment that’s great for exploring. While the low season is less busy than the high season, that can be an advantage. If you really want to experience Belize as the locals live it, the low season is the time to go. The locals are less busy accommodating to the needs of tourists and more likely to welcome you in and offer a more authentic experience. You’re also less likely to have to deal with crowds. You can enjoy the country’s lovely Maya ruins and the gorgeous sandy beaches without having to worry about flocks of other travelers getting in the way of your enjoyment. As you might expect, tours and room rates tend to be less expensive in the low season as well.
When to Visit Belize
The dual seasons of Belize offer two very different ways to experience the country, but the country isn’t simply static for six months at a time. Each of the seasons can be broken down into smaller periods that bring their own advantages and disadvantages.
January, February, and March in Belize
The first three months of the year are peak visiting season. Much of America and Europe are still in the thrall of winter. Tourists come from all around the world to enjoy the temperate weather. New Years Eve is as raucous a celebration as you could expect, and there’s no better place to spend Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart than Belize, but the country’s spring festivities don’t really kick into gear until March, with events like the world renowned Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge.
April and May in Belize
The tail end of the high season is still crowded, but it’s also a point of climate transition for Belize. Humidity levels get a little higher, approaching something a little closer to the traditional summer that visitors from afar will recognize, but the skies generally remain unblemished by clouds or rain. Since Belize is such a predominantly Christian country, Easter is a big deal in the country, and visiting is a great way to immerse yourself in the local traditions. Just keep in mind that it’s one of the busiest holidays, so you’ll want to book your accommodations in advance.
June and July in Belize
By the time June rolls around, many of the tourists are starting to filter out of Belize, and the green season is starting to roll in. That said, there’s still plenty to do — it’s a time of abundant festivities. Most notable is the opening of lobster season. Since lobster fishing is tightly regulated in Belize, this mid-June occurrence results in lobster festivals that span from Placencia to Ambergris Caye.
August, September, and October in Belize
The heart of the low season is also the best time to visit if you’re looking to kick back and relax on the cheap. The return of rain really brings a liveliness to the surrounding jungles, and the lack of tourists gives visitors the opportunity to meet the locals more organically. There are plenty of opportunities to do so as well. August sees one of the largest events in the form of the Costa Maya Festival, and it draws in guests from Mexico and Central America. There’s no better event if you want to see how the people of Belize really live. September is the time for a number of national holidays like Independence Day and St. George’s Caye Day.
November and December in Belize
Perhaps the most crowded time of year for visitors, November and December signal the start of the high season. The skies are sunny and the humidity low, and it’s during these months that Belize perhaps most represents the popular notion of a tropical paradise.
Regardless of when you visit, where you stay can make all the difference in the world. Be sure to book your lodgings at Laru Beya. Located in Placencia, we’ll work hard to make sure that your stay in Belize is one you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
