Average weather, temperature, rainfall, when to go, what to pack
In Belize, the former British Honduras, a small country in Central America which occupies the south-east of the Yucatan Peninsula, the climate is
tropical, hot all year round, with a rainy and muggy season from June to October, and a less hot season from November to February, when the northeast trade winds prevail, but they still unload rainfall, which gradually decreases, so that from February to April it's the driest period. From March to May, before the rainy season, the heat gradually increases, so that in April and May the hottest days of the year occur, and there may be torrid days, especially in inland areas; in May, also thunderstorms become a bit more frequent, especially in the south, where actually the rainy season already begins.
The 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 rainfall and humidity, most of Belize is covered by a tropical forest.
During the coolest 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 bit of cool in the evening and at night, so that lows can drop to around 15 °C (59 °F). In the rainy and sultry season, 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| Belmopan | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|
| Belmopan | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|
| Min (°C) | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 |
| Max (°C) | 28 | 29 | 31 | 33 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 28 |
| Min (°F) | 64 | 64 | 66 | 68 | 72 | 73 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 70 | 68 | 66 |
| Max (°F) | 82 | 84 | 88 | 91 | 93 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 84 | 82 |
The
rains are more abundant in the south, where they exceed 3,000 millimetres (118 inches) per annum, but in the far south, on the border with Guatemala, in the area of Punta Gorda they even exceed 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 more than 300 mm (12 in) of rain fall per month, while in the north and west there'a relative decrease in rainfall in August (called Mauga).
Here is the average precipitation in Belize City, located in the north-est, on the coast.
Average precipitation - Belize City| Belize City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|
| Belize City | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Y |
|---|
| Prec. (mm) | 135 | 60 | 40 | 55 | 110 | 200 | 165 | 170 | 245 | 305 | 225 | 185 | 1895 |
|---|
| Prec.(in) | 5.3 | 2.4 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 4.3 | 7.9 | 6.5 | 6.7 | 9.6 | 12 | 8.9 | 7.3 | 74.6 |
|---|
| Days | 12 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 133 |
|---|
In Punta Gorda, in the south (Toledo district), in May the rains are already abundant, since they amount to 190 mm (7.5 in), moreover, they become torrential from July to September, when they oscillate from 450 to 600 mm (18 to 23.5 in).
In the south, in the area of the
Maya Mountains, the sky is often covered with clouds. Here the dry season is less pronounced, because the northeast trade winds are forced to rise over the mountains, and form clouds and rains. The weather becomes a bit cooler towards the two peaks of Belize: Doyle's Delight and Victoria Peak, both around 1,100 metres (3,600 feet) high.
The
sunshine amount in Belize is never excellent, however, it's just acceptable in winter (about 5/6 hours of sunshine per day), while it becomes good in the dry season (about 7/8 hours a day), except in the aforementioned Maya Mountains, which are often cloudy.
Sunshine - Belmopan| Belmopan | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|
| Belmopan | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|
| Sun (hours) | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
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 City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|
| Belize City | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|
| Sea (°C) | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
| Sea (°F) | 81 | 81 | 81 | 82 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 82 |
Hurricanes
In the period from June to November, Belize can be affected by tropical storms and
hurricanes, which however are more frequent in September and October. The most exposed part is the central-northern one, which includes the small coral islands (cayes), while the south is somewhat protected by nearby Honduras. A hurricane that hit Belize in a particular way was the "1931 Belize hurricane", which devastated the country in September 1931. Other intense hurricanes were Janet at the end of September 1955, Hattie at the end of October 1961, Keith at the beginning of October 2000, Iris in October 2001, Dean in August 2007, Richard in October 2010, Earl in August 2016.
In the following table we can see the number of hurricanes and tropical storms that have affected Belize in the last 100 years.
When to go
The best time to visit Belize, for beach life, and for exploring the atolls and the coral reefs, goes from
February to April, being the period in which the rains are more scarce, and the heat is not as muggy as in the following months. January falls in the cool period, although it is a bit more rainy, but overall you can also choose this month.
To go in search of the Mayan ruins, in March and especially in April, the heat can be intense in the interior, though, on the positive side, we are in the middle of the dry season.
From May to October, in addition to the rainy season, you must take into account the heat, which is sultry and unpleasant. From June to November, as mentioned, there's some risk of hurricanes, which, however, are most likely in September and October.
What to pack
From December to March: light clothes, but also a sweatshirt or sweater for the evening and for windy days.
From April to November: tropics-friendly, loose fitting clothing, light shirts and pants, comfortable and breathable shoes, sun hat, sunglasses, a light sweatshirt and a light raincoat for thunderstorms.
For the reef, equipment for snorkeling, water shoes or rubber soled shoes.