The best time to visit Belize is the dry season, from February to April. This is when it rains least on the coast and cayes (41 to 65 mm (1.6 to 2.6 in) a month in Belize City), when the sea is most often clear for diving on the barrier reef, and when the tracks to the Maya sites inland are passable. May often stays dry inland but becomes very hot, up to 34 °C (93 °F) in the afternoon in Belmopan.
The rainy season sets in in June and lasts until November, with a peak in October in Belize City (305 mm (12.0 in)). It coincides with the Atlantic hurricane season, which the U.S. National Hurricane Center puts at June 1 to November 30. December and January are a transition period: it is cooler and rainy spells remain frequent. The south of the country, around Punta Gorda, is much wetter than the north. This guide is based on the official normals of the National Meteorological Service of Belize.
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When to go to Belize at a glance
- Best time February to April (dry season)
- Driest month in Belize City March (41 mm (1.6 in) of rain on average)
- Hottest months May to September, with 31 to 32 °C (88 to 90 °F) in the afternoon on the coast and up to 34 °C (93 °F) in Belmopan in May
- Rainy season June to November, peaking in October on the coast
- Hurricanes Atlantic hurricane season, June 1 to November 30
- Plan ahead for the year-end holidays and Easter, very busy periods on the cayes
When to go to Belize by priority
- Best weather: February to April, with March the driest month in Belize City
- Cheapest: June, or November at the end of the rainy season
- Fewest crowds: June and the rainy season in general, bearing in mind that September and October are the riskiest months
- Events: lobster festivals from late June to July, national celebrations in September, Garifuna Settlement Day in November
To build your itinerary, see our Belize travel guide. March is often excellent there: compare with our ideas for traveling in March.
Belize: the calendar at a glance
✅ Best months: February, March, April
❌ Period to avoid: September, October
Climate and weather in Belize City month by month
The table below gives the normals for Belize City, representative of the coast and the cayes (Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker), where a large share of stays take place. The interior and the south are detailed below.
| Month | Avg. max | Avg. min | Rain | Crowds | Prices | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27.9 °C (82 °F) | 20.6 °C (69 °F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | High | High | ⚠️ Mild, rainy spells possible |
| February | 28.8 °C (84 °F) | 21.5 °C (71 °F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | High | High | ✅ Start of the dry season |
| March | 29.8 °C (86 °F) | 22.4 °C (72 °F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | High (Easter in some years) | High | ✅ Driest month, sea often clear |
| April | 31.2 °C (88 °F) | 24.2 °C (76 °F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | Moderate to high | Moderate to high | ✅ Dry and warm, ideal for diving |
| May | 31.9 °C (89 °F) | 25.2 °C (77 °F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ⚠️ Very hot, first rains late in the month |
| June | 31.7 °C (89 °F) | 25.7 °C (78 °F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | Low | Low | ⚠️ Start of the rains and the hurricane season |
| July | 31.5 °C (89 °F) | 25.3 °C (78 °F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) | Moderate (summer holidays) | Moderate | ⚠️ Hot and humid, showers |
| August | 31.8 °C (89 °F) | 25.3 °C (78 °F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | Moderate (summer holidays) | Moderate | ⚠️ Rainy, cyclone risk |
| September | 31.8 °C (89 °F) | 24.9 °C (77 °F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | Low | Low | ❌ Rainy, heart of the hurricane season |
| October | 30.6 °C (87 °F) | 23.9 °C (75 °F) | 306 mm (12.0 in) | Low | Low | ❌ Wettest month |
| November | 29.2 °C (85 °F) | 22.0 °C (72 °F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | Low to moderate | Moderate | ⚠️ End of the hurricane season, still rainy |
| December | 28.3 °C (83 °F) | 21.2 °C (70 °F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | High (holidays) | High | ⚠️ Cooler, rainy spells |
Temperatures vary little: 28 °C (82 °F) in the afternoon in the heart of winter, 31 to 32 °C (88 to 90 °F) from May to September. It is rain that makes the difference: it falls seven-fold between October (306 mm (12.0 in)) and March (41 mm (1.6 in)). Tropical showers are often brief, but tropical storms can block connections to the cayes for several days.
The seasons in Belize: pros and cons
Dry season (February to May): the best time
From February to April, skies are more often clear, the sea is generally calm and underwater visibility is good for exploring the barrier reef, the Blue Hole or the atolls. Inland, the tracks are dry for reaching the Maya sites (Caracol, Xunantunich) and the caves. May extends the season inland, but the heat becomes strong: an average high of 34.1 °C (93 °F) in Belmopan.
- Pros: less rain everywhere, good diving and snorkeling conditions, passable tracks, fewer canceled excursions
- Cons: high season, so pricier accommodation that should be booked early on the cayes; strong heat in April–May inland
- Our tip: March and April combine the least rain with an often beautiful sea; just avoid Easter week if you want gentler prices
Rainy season (June to November): green and quieter
The rains arrive in June and intensify until October. It does not rain all day: showers are often heavy but short. This is also the hurricane season (June 1 to November 30 according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center); follow its forecasts and the instructions of the local authorities. The south of the country receives very large amounts of rain: more than 700 mm (27.6 in) in July in Punta Gorda.
- Pros: lower prices, fewer people on the cayes, very green forest
- Cons: risk of hurricanes and tropical storms, rougher sea, muddy tracks to some sites, more mosquitoes
- Who is it for? July–August travelers who accept some uncertainty and take out insurance covering cancellation and interruption; September and October are the riskiest months
December and January: a transition season
In early winter, temperatures drop a little (about 28 °C (82 °F) in the afternoon and 20 to 21 °C (68 to 70 °F) at night in Belize City), but the rain does not disappear: 151 mm (5.9 in) in December and 141 mm (5.6 in) in January. These spells, often linked to the arrival of cooler air masses from the north, alternate with beautiful days. It is a very popular period because of the holidays: if you travel at Christmas, book early and keep some flexibility for boat excursions.
When to go to Belize by region
Comparison of the normals for three towns, from north to south:
| Month | Belize City (coast) | Belmopan (inland) | Punta Gorda (south) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27.9 °C (82 °F) / 141 mm (5.6 in) | 28.2 °C (83 °F) / 135 mm (5.3 in) | 28.2 °C (83 °F) / 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| February | 28.8 °C (84 °F) / 65 mm (2.6 in) | 29.7 °C (85 °F) / 51 mm (2.0 in) | 29.5 °C (85 °F) / 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| March | 29.8 °C (86 °F) / 41 mm (1.6 in) | 31.2 °C (88 °F) / 49 mm (1.9 in) | 30.6 °C (87 °F) / 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| April | 31.2 °C (88 °F) / 58 mm (2.3 in) | 33.5 °C (92 °F) / 41 mm (1.6 in) | 32.0 °C (90 °F) / 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 31.9 °C (89 °F) / 132 mm (5.2 in) | 34.1 °C (93 °F) / 119 mm (4.7 in) | 32.2 °C (90 °F) / 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| June | 31.7 °C (89 °F) / 236 mm (9.3 in) | 32.7 °C (91 °F) / 260 mm (10.2 in) | 31.9 °C (89 °F) / 447 mm (17.6 in) |
| July | 31.5 °C (89 °F) / 180 mm (7.1 in) | 32.2 °C (90 °F) / 245 mm (9.6 in) | 31.3 °C (88 °F) / 710 mm (28.0 in) |
| August | 31.8 °C (89 °F) / 195 mm (7.7 in) | 32.6 °C (91 °F) / 226 mm (8.9 in) | 32.0 °C (90 °F) / 630 mm (24.8 in) |
| September | 31.8 °C (89 °F) / 230 mm (9.1 in) | 32.5 °C (90 °F) / 222 mm (8.7 in) | 32.3 °C (90 °F) / 529 mm (20.8 in) |
| October | 30.6 °C (87 °F) / 306 mm (12.0 in) | 31.2 °C (88 °F) / 244 mm (9.6 in) | 31.4 °C (89 °F) / 361 mm (14.2 in) |
| November | 29.2 °C (85 °F) / 236 mm (9.3 in) | 29.4 °C (85 °F) / 202 mm (8.0 in) | 29.9 °C (86 °F) / 265 mm (10.4 in) |
| December | 28.3 °C (83 °F) / 151 mm (5.9 in) | 28.6 °C (83 °F) / 135 mm (5.3 in) | 29.1 °C (84 °F) / 179 mm (7.0 in) |
The coast and the cayes (Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker)
The northern cayes follow the climate of Belize City: warm all year, with the sea breeze tempering the heat. For diving, snorkeling and the beach, aim for February to May. From October to January, the sea can be rougher and some boat trips canceled.
The interior: Belmopan, San Ignacio and Cayo
The Cayo district, in the west, is the region of Maya sites, caves and forest. It is hotter there than on the coast at the end of the dry season (33.5 °C (92 °F) in April and 34.1 °C (93 °F) in May in Belmopan) and nights are a little cooler in winter. The best time is February to April, when the tracks to Caracol and the caves are passable. Some caves, such as Actun Tunichil Muknal, are visited by wading through watercourses: excursions can be canceled after heavy rain. Caracol, Belmopan and the cave area can be located on our map of Belize.
The south: Placencia, Hopkins and Punta Gorda
The south is the wettest region of the country: Punta Gorda receives about 3,750 mm (147.6 in) of rain a year, with a maximum in July (710 mm (28.0 in)). The dry season is shorter there: aim for February to April, the only months under 100 mm (3.9 in). The Placencia peninsula and the Garifuna village of Hopkins, farther north, are a little less wet but follow the same calendar.
Which region by month?
The south is much wetter than the north, and the interior becomes very hot at the end of the dry season.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coast and cayes (Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker) | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ |
| Interior (Cayo, San Ignacio, Maya sites) | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ |
| South (Placencia, Hopkins, Punta Gorda) | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ |
✅ recommended period, ⚠️ possible with reservations, ❌ not very favorable. A summary of the normals and the detailed recommendations on this page.
When to go to Belize by trip type
| Trip | Best time | Where? |
|---|---|---|
| First trip (cayes and jungle) | February to April | Caye Caulker, Ambergris Caye, San Ignacio |
| Diving and snorkeling | February to May | Barrier reef, Blue Hole, atolls |
| Maya sites and caves | February to April | Cayo (Xunantunich, Caracol), Lamanai |
| Quiet beach | April–May, or June outside a hurricane alert | Placencia, Hopkins |
| Birdwatching | Dry season (February to May) | Crooked Tree, Cockscomb |
| Budget | June, or November at the end of the season | Caye Caulker, San Ignacio |
| Travel in July–August | July–August, with good insurance | Northern cayes, Cayo |
Major events to plan your trip around
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| March or April (dates vary) | Easter and Holy Week, holiday period | Nationwide |
| Late June to July | Lobster festivals (« Lobsterfest ») at the opening of the fishing season | Cayes and coastal villages |
| September | St. George’s Caye Day, start of the September celebrations | Nationwide |
| September | Independence Day | Nationwide |
| November | Garifuna Settlement Day, commemorating the arrival of the Garifuna | Dangriga, Hopkins and the south |
| December | Year-end holidays | Nationwide |
Belize month by month
January: Mild (27.9 °C (82 °F) in the afternoon, 20.6 °C (69 °F) at night in Belize City), but still fairly rainy (141 mm (5.6 in)). Heavy crowds early in the month.
February: Start of the dry season (65 mm (2.6 in)). A good month to combine cayes and jungle.
March: The driest month in Belize City (41 mm (1.6 in)). Conditions are often excellent for diving. Easter in some years.
April: Dry and warm (31.2 °C (88 °F) on the coast, 33.5 °C (92 °F) in Belmopan). One of the best months; book early if Easter falls in April.
May: The hottest month (31.9 °C (89 °F) in Belize City, 34.1 °C (93 °F) in Belmopan). The rains return late in the month, especially in the south.
June: Start of the rainy season (236 mm (9.3 in)) and of the hurricane season. Prices fall.
July: Hot and humid (180 mm (7.1 in) in Belize City, 710 mm (28.0 in) in Punta Gorda). Lobster festivals on the cayes.
August: Rainy (195 mm (7.7 in)), cyclone risk rising. Travel is possible with flexibility and good insurance.
September: Heart of the hurricane season (230 mm (9.1 in)). National celebrations this month.
October: The wettest month in Belize City (306 mm (12.0 in)). Avoid if possible.
November: Still rainy (236 mm (9.3 in)), end of the hurricane season. Garifuna Settlement Day in the south.
December: Cooler (28.3 °C (83 °F)), rainy spells (151 mm (5.9 in)). Strong demand for the holidays.
When to book your trip to Belize
Belize has mostly small accommodations, which fill up quickly in high season. For Christmas, New Year and Easter, book 4 to 6 months ahead, especially on Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye. For the rest of the dry season, 2 to 3 months is generally enough. In the rainy season, a few weeks’ notice is often sufficient, but choose flexible rates. Check the entry rules that apply to you before you travel.
Planning your trip to Belize
- Entry requirements: see our country guide for the entry requirements for Belize.
- Currency: the Belize dollar (BZD); the US dollar is widely accepted. Estimate your spending with our currency converter.
To go further, see our complete Belize travel guide. Combining with a neighboring country? See when to go to Guatemala or when to go to Mexico.
Also worth reading: when to go to Costa Rica and when to go to Nicaragua.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Belize?
March and April are the most favorable months: little rain (41 and 58 mm (1.6 and 2.3 in) in Belize City), a sea that is often clear and passable tracks. February is also a good choice, a little cooler. May is still fine but very hot inland.
When is the rainy season in Belize?
From June to November, with a peak in October on the coast (306 mm (12.0 in) in Belize City). The south is much wetter: more than 700 mm (27.6 in) in July in Punta Gorda. December and January still see rainy spells.
When is the hurricane season in Belize?
The U.S. National Hurricane Center gives June 1 to November 30 as the official Atlantic hurricane season. During this period, follow its forecasts and the instructions of the local authorities.
Can you visit Belize in July or August?
Yes, but it is the rainy and hurricane season. Showers are often short and prices lower; take insurance covering cancellation and trip interruption, and a flexible itinerary.
What is the best time to dive in Belize?
The dry season, from February to May, generally offers a calmer sea and better visibility. Trips to the atolls and the Blue Hole depend on sea conditions: keep a margin of a few days.
Is Belize warm in winter?
Yes, but less than in summer: about 28 °C (82 °F) in the afternoon and 20 to 21 °C (68 to 70 °F) at night in Belize City in December–January, and nights around 19 °C (66 °F) in Belmopan.
What is the weather like in Belize in August?
Hot, humid and rainy: 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain on average in Belize City, 31.8 °C (89 °F) in the afternoon and 25.3 °C (78 °F) at night. Cyclone risk rises. Travel remains possible with flexibility and good insurance.
What is the climate of Belize?
Tropical: warm all year (28 to 32 °C (82 to 90 °F) in the afternoon in Belize City), with a dry season from February to May and a rainy season from June to November, which coincides with the hurricane season. The south of the country is much wetter than the north.
Our sources
- National Meteorological Service of Belize: 1991–2020 normals for Belize City (Philip S. W. Goldson airport), Belmopan and Punta Gorda
- U.S. National Hurricane Center (NOAA): hurricane climatology, official Atlantic hurricane season dates, checked 11 November 2026
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
