Belize summer vibes in Placencia

Many people are dreaming of heading to Belize when it’s freezing cold up north. They dream of warm water for snorkeling and diving, swaying palm trees, cocktails on the beach. After all, this is what Belize looks like in winter.

That doesn’t mean it’s the only time to visit, however. Temperatures don’t vary much in this part of Central America, whether you are in the water or out of it. Water temperatures are in the low 80s (26-28 ° Celsius) while air temperatures are in the mid to high 80s (26-30 ° Celsius).

In most of the tropics, there’s a dry season and a wet season and in some spots that “green season” can be long and soaking. A Belize summer vacation is a different story, however. If you go when it’s the normal summer break in the USA or Canada, that’s actually a time when crowds thin out a little but the weather is only slightly wetter except in the far south, around Punta Gorda.

The coastal regions see a less dramatic rise in rainfall and temperatures don’t vary as much. Unlike further up in the northern hemisphere, the hottest month of the year is not July or August—it’s May. Temperatures in the summer aren’t all that much higher than in the dry season of winter. It seldom tops 86F degrees during the day and peaks at a pleasant 78F at night.

Where to go in Belize? Ambergris Caye is the most popular spot, with some of the top resorts and easy access to the international airport. This area has the largest range of accommodation and water activities. The Cayo district is more popular for jungle lodges and nature tours. Follow the Hummingbird Highway or a short flight south, however, and you get to the spot with the best beaches on the mainland: Placencia. That’s where you’ll find Itz’Ana, the Turtle Inn, and our partner Chabil Mar Resort.

There can be a bit more rain some months, but in general the coast of Belize doesn’t get anything close to the amount of rainfall in the summer as, say, Costa Rica. Think afternoon showers now and then, not days of continuous pelting. Here are some of the reasons to come in the summer months.

Swim With Whale Sharks in Belize

whale shark diving BelizeWhale sharks can swim 30,000 miles in the course of a year and have extensive migrating patterns. In the places where whale sharks come to the surface to feed on plankton, there’s usually a limited window on when they’re hanging around.

In Belize that window is during the full moon between the end of March or early April and the middle of July. Because Belize has serious conservation efforts in place, there’s a limit to how many divers can be on location at once and you have to go with a licensed tour operator. Book a whale shark package with a hotel that knows the situation so you can do it right.

The Placencia Lobster Fest

Does the thought of succulent lobster on the grill make you salivate? Head to the Placencia Lobster Fest that takes place in the third week of June each year and you’ll be sure to get your fill. It has been running since 1998, so this is no upstart affair.

The fun goes beyond the spiny bottom dwellers though. There are craft booths, carnival games, kayak races, eating contests, lots of Belikin beer, and the “Crowning of Mr. and Ms. Physique.” This is one of the best times in Belize to catch live Garifuna music around this region.

Caving Trips and Jungle Exploration

A little rain can be good news for the cave adventures of Belize since tours often involve some tubing or swimming along the way. If you visit jungle areas, you’ll find more water flowing through the waterfalls of the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and other areas where the animals outnumber the people.

Since the big rush is over, however, you can often find easier availability for hotels and villas during the Belize summer, including at Chabil Mar in Placencia. Check out their new video to get a taste: