Check the weather city by city, starting with Belmopan.
Belize is the jewel of Mesoamerica: home to the legendary UNESCO-listed Great Blue Hole and the world's second-largest barrier reef. Maya jungle, jaguars in Cockscomb Park, the ruins of Caracol and idyllic Caribbean atolls make up a compact country devoted to nature.
The Great Blue Hole, an underwater sinkhole 300 m across and 125 m deep, is one of the world's UNESCO-listed natural wonders. Surrounded by Lighthouse Reef, it offers one of the most legendary dives on the planet, with giant stalactites and sharks.
Highlights : Dive in the Great Blue Hole (−40 m), Half Moon Caye — red-footed boobies, Turneffe Atoll — reef snorkelling, Reef sharks and green turtles.
Ambergris Caye is Belize's largest and most popular island: home to San Pedro, a lively beach town, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, and Shark Ray Alley where you can safely swim with stingrays and nurse sharks.
Highlights : Hol Chan Marine Reserve — coral snorkelling, Shark Ray Alley — swim with rays & sharks, Caye Caulker — laid-back “No Shoes, No Shirts” beach vibe.
Caracol is Belize's largest Maya city, hidden in the forests of the Chiquibul Reserve. Its Caana pyramid (Sky Palace, 43 m) rises higher than Belmopan. Jaguars, tapirs and howler monkeys share the area with archaeologists.
Highlights : Caana Pyramid (Sky Palace) — jungle panorama, Carved Maya stelae and altars, Chiquibul Reserve — jaguars & tapirs, Xunantunich — easily accessible Maya site.
The Cayo District is Belize's adventure heartland: the ATM caves (Actun Tunichil Muknal), a Maya sanctuary filled with skeletons and sacred pottery, the waterfalls near San Ignacio, and the primary forest of Mountain Pine Ridge.
Highlights : ATM caves — Maya skeletons in situ, Mountain Pine Ridge — waterfalls & pools, Cockscomb Basin — jaguar sanctuary.
Belize is relatively expensive for Central America because many products are imported. The Belize dollar is pegged to the US dollar (2 BZD = 1 USD). The islands are pricier than the mainland.