When Is the Best Time to Travel to Belize? A Month-by-Month Guide Through Wildlife, Culture & Seasonal Beauty

Planning Your Belize Escape: Weather & Seasons at a Glance

Belize enjoys a subtropical climate year-round, with daytime temperatures typically ranging from 75°F to 88°F (24°C to 31°C), complemented by gentle sea breezes along the coast and cayes. The country experiences two primary seasons:

Dry Season (Late November – May):

Known for its sunny skies, low humidity, and exceptional visibility underwater, this is the most popular time to explore both the jungle and the reef. It’s ideal for snorkeling, diving, rainforest hikes, Mayan cultural tours, and unforgettable wildlife encounters.

Green Season (June – October):

Also known as the rainy season, this period brings short, refreshing afternoon showers and dramatically lush landscapes. Wildlife becomes more active, rivers swell, and birdwatching opportunities increase. It’s a quieter time to visit, perfect for those seeking immersion, serenity, and the full sensory beauty of Belize’s ecosystems.

At Exploring Earth Together, our small-group tours run from November through June to align with Belize’s most rewarding travel experiences—offering a thoughtful blend of adventure, comfort, and natural wonder.

Month-by-Month Travel Highlights in Belize

November: A Refreshing Start to the Season

As the dry season begins, Belize awakens with renewed energy. November marks a transition—morning mists drift through the rainforest, birds call across the canopy, and the jungle feels crisp and vibrant. This is the time when migratory birds like orioles, tanagers, and warblers return to Belize’s forests, adding flashes of color to the treetops.

Cultural celebrations enrich the experience, including Garifuna Settlement Day, an annual highlight in coastal villages like Hopkins and Dangriga. Traditional drumming, dancing, and vibrant processions offer an intimate look into Belize’s Afro-Caribbean heritage. It’s a month of cultural warmth and natural vitality—a perfect introduction to the rhythm of Belize.

December: Holiday Travel, Elevated by Nature

Traveling in December offers an experience far from the holiday hustle. This is a time of festive spirit without the crowds—where jungle mornings are filled with birdsong and reef excursions reveal sea turtles, lobsters, and spotted eagle rays gliding beneath you. The cooler, drier air makes hiking more comfortable and wildlife more visible.

December is also a peak time for birdwatching, with migratory and resident species sharing the canopy. In southern Belize, scarlet macaws are often spotted in pairs, and toucans are more active at dawn and dusk. Whether enjoying jungle massages, lounging at an infinity pool, or taking a private cacao tour, December in Belize feels like a gift in itself.

January: Crisp Mornings, Brilliant Days, Birdsong

January offers some of the most pleasant weather of the year. With consistent sun and cool breezes, it’s an ideal time to explore both reef and rainforest. Iguanas bask on riverside branches, manatees surface in protected bays, and dolphins often travel alongside boats on coastal journeys.

This is also a great time for Mayan ruin explorations, as the dry air makes jungle hikes more comfortable. Sites like Xunantunich, Altun Ha, or Lamanai are uncrowded and atmospheric, with panoramic views stretching across jungle canopies. Kayaking, snorkeling, birdwatching, and quiet evenings under the stars—January invites you to fully unwind.

February: Romance in the Wild

February is when nature begins to flirt. Iguanas shift into vivid breeding colors, birds sing more frequently, and butterflies flutter across flowering plants in the rainforest. On the reef, schools of jackfish, snapper, and permit become more active, and snorkeling feels like swimming through a living aquarium.

The longer days and cooler nights make this an ideal time for cave tubing, river tours, or jungle hikes. It’s also cacao harvest season—ideal for visiting a cacao farm or taking part in a traditional chocolate-making experience. Whether you're traveling solo or as a couple, February sets the stage for soulful, sensory-rich exploration.

March: Wildlife Encounters at Their Peak

March brings a crescendo of movement across Belize’s ecosystems. Toucans, motmots, parrots, and hummingbirds are active and visible, and flowering trees such as the rosewood and mayflower create bursts of color in the jungle. Scarlet macaws gather in southern salt licks, and howler monkeys vocalize more frequently as their territories shift.

On the reef, this is one of the best months for visibility. The seas are calm, and reef tours to places like Hol Chan, Shark Ray Alley, or Laughing Bird Caye deliver mesmerizing encounters with rays, moray eels, turtles, and barracuda. March feels like nature is performing just for you—and every moment invites deeper connection.

April: Nesting, Hatching, and Reef Life

April is a time of abundance. Sea turtles begin nesting, birds start raising chicks, and jungle trails are alive with activity. Herons, wood storks, and roseate spoonbills gather in the wetlands, while iguanas and agoutis scurry along riverbanks. Evening jungle walks bring encounters with tarantulas, night birds, and frogs echoing after light rains.

In the sea, snorkelers frequently see schools of reef fish, lobsters, and even the occasional reef shark. It’s a great month for reef kayaking, beachcombing, or combining marine and inland excursions. You’ll leave each day feeling both exhilarated and restored.

May: Nature in Transition

May marks the beginning of Belize’s early green season—a time of transformation. Rainforest mornings are misty, the air is heavy with the scent of orchids and wild ginger, and butterflies fill the air. You’ll see howler monkey families with playful juveniles, and parrots flocking to salt licks to prepare for the upcoming rains.

Cacao and coffee harvests are still active, offering intimate, flavorful cultural experiences. Reef trips offer consistent visibility, and southern stingrays, grouper, and parrotfish are often spotted in the shallows. May is the perfect month for travelers who seek a sense of depth—a balance of beauty, calm, and wonder.

June: Rainforest Awakening

With the return of warm rains, Belize’s ecosystems feel renewed. Rainforest trails glow in green, rivers swell, and night hikes are filled with the sounds of frogs, insects, and owls. You’ll encounter more amphibians, fruit bats, and nocturnal species—giving this month a slightly more adventurous and mystical feel.

On the reef, snorkeling remains excellent and less crowded. Parrotfish feed on coral, southern stingrays glide through shallow coves, and manatees become more active in warmer waters. For travelers seeking immersion, introspection, and soft adventure, June is a month of lush transformation.

Final Thoughts

There’s no single “best” time to visit Belize—only the right time for your kind of adventure. Whether you're dreaming of vibrant snorkeling, jungle wildlife encounters, cultural festivals, cacao harvests, or birdwatching in the treetops, Belize offers a sensory-rich experience year-round. That’s why our tours are timed to align with nature’s most beautiful rhythms—so that each journey with Exploring Earth Together becomes more than a vacation… it becomes a story worth retelling.

Travel. Relax. Play.