Map from Google - Belize

In Belize, the climate is tropical, hot all year round, with a dry season from February to April, and a rainy season from May to December, with the most abundant rains occurring from June to November. Rains fall mainly in the form of downpour or thunderstorm in late afternoon, at least in the hottest period, while in December and January they are less abundant but more prolonged. Due to rains and air humidity, most of Belize is covered by a tropical forest.
During the cooler months (December, January and February), the average temperature is around 23 degrees Celsius (73 °F) in the north, 24 °C (75 °F) in the south and 25 °C (77 °F) in the island of Ambergris Caye, with highs around 26/27 °C (79/81 °F). From December to March, the country is sometimes reached by the Norte, a wind coming from the United States, which can bring a bit of cloudiness and rainfall, and also a little cool in the evening and at night, so that minimum temperatures can drop to around 15 °C (59 °F).
In inland areas, in April and May the hottest temperatures are often recorded, before the rainy and sultry season which begins in June; in the latter, from June to October, the average temperatures are around 27/28 °C (81/82 °F), with highs around 30/32 °C (86/90 °F).
Here are the average temperatures of Belmopan, the capital city, which is located in the plains, 50 km (30 mi) away from the coast.
Average temperatures - Belmopan
Min (°C)181819202223222222212019
Max (°C)282931333432323232312928
Min (°F)646466687273727272706866
Max (°F)828488919390909090888482

The rains are more abundant in the south, where they exceed 3,000 millimetres (118 inches) per annum, and in the far south, on the border with Guatemala, in the area of Punta Gorda, where they exceed even 4,000 mm (157 in); in the north-east they hover around 1,800 mm (70 in), while in the north-west they drop to around 1,300 mm (51 in). In the south, from June to October the rains are abundant, so that about 300 mm (12 in) of rain fall per month, while in the north and west there are actually two rainy seasons (June-July and September-November), with a relative pause in August.
Here is the average precipitation in Belize City, located on the coast.
Average precipitation - Belize City
Belize CityJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Prec. (mm)1356040551102001651702453052251851895

In the south, in the area of the Maya Mountains, the sky is often covered by clouds. Here the dry season is less pronounced, because the northeast trade winds are forced to rise over the mountains, and form clouds and precipitation. The weather gets a little cooler going up to the two peaks of Belize: Doyle's Delight and Victoria Peak, both around 1,100 metres (3,600 feet) high.
In the period from June to November, Belize can be affected by tropical storms and hurricanes, especially between August and October.
The sunshine amount in Belize is never excellent, however, it's just acceptable in winter (about 6 hours of sunshine per day), and it becomes good in the dry season (about 7/8 hours a day), except in the aforementioned Maya Mountains, which are often cloudy.


The sea is warm all year round, ranging from 27 °C (81 °F) from January to March, to 29 °C (84 °F) in the summer months.
Sea temperature - Belize City
Belize CityJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sea (°C)272727282929292929292928
Sea (°F)818181828484848484848482

When to go

The best time to visit Belize, for those who want to make beach life, to visit the atolls and the coral reefs, or go in search of the Mayan ruins, goes from February to April, being the period when the rains are more scarce, and the heat is not as muggy as in the following months. Easter is still a good period on the coast, while the heat can be already intense in inland areas.
From May to October, in addition to the rainy season, you must take into account the heat that is sultry and annoying. From June to November, there's some risk of hurricanes, which, however, are most likely between August and October.

What to pack

From December to March: light clothes, t-shirts and pants, a sun hat, but also a sweatshirt or sweater, and a rain jacket for the evening, for windy days and showers.
From April to November: tropics-friendly, loose fitting clothing, light shirts and pants to be washed often, comfortable and breathable shoes, a light hat, sunglasses, a light sweatshirt for the evening and a light raincoat or an umbrella for thunderstorms.
