Belize In June: A Great Time To Visit?

June is a great month to visit Belize. While it marks the start of the rainy season, there's still plenty of sun, and diving and snorkelling conditions remain good. The weather is warm, with highs of 28-30°C, and there are constant trade winds and brief showers to cool things off. It's also the low season, so you can enjoy lower prices and smaller crowds. Plus, it's the start of lobster season, so you can indulge in delicious lobster dishes at affordable prices. Nature lovers will also relish the opportunity to spot exotic wildlife, as birds and animals come out more due to the abundance of flowers and food sources. So, if you're considering a trip to Belize, June is definitely a month to consider!

Lobster festivals

June is a great month to visit Belize, with slightly cooler weather and better breezes than the preceding months of April and May. There are several lobster festivals held across the country to celebrate the start of the lobster season.

The San Pedro Lobster Festival on Ambergris Caye is one of the biggest and most extravagant. It features free live music and discounted drinks and lobster. It lasts for a week and includes a kick-off party and a huge closing fiesta.

Caye Caulker is the birthplace of the Belizean Lobster Festival and puts on the best entertainment for the whole weekend. It's also cheaper than San Pedro, with discounted boat rides to and from the island.

Placencia holds its own Lobster Festival, which is judged by some to be better than either the San Pedro or Caye Caulker festivals. Placencia has the best beaches in Belize and you can drive or take a bus if you don't like flying or get seasick. The Placencia Lobster Festival includes a legendary mega-beach party.

Belize City also holds its own Lobster Festival in July, usually the second week, at the famous Bird's Isle in the southern part of the city.

Snorkelling and scuba diving

Belize is known for its world-class scuba diving and snorkelling, with the Belize Barrier Reef—the second-largest in the world—teeming with vibrant fish, sharks, rays, and dolphins. The best time for diving and snorkelling in Belize is generally considered to be from April to June. During these months, you can expect clear skies, pleasant temperatures, and the clearest visibility underwater. The rainy season in Belize typically begins in June and lasts until November, so visiting in June allows you to take advantage of the calm waters before the rainy season starts.

The water temperature in Belize is stable all year round, ranging from 26°C to 29°C (79°F to 84°F), so you can dive and snorkel comfortably even during the rainy season. However, the rainy season does bring stronger winds and higher humidity, which can affect your overall experience.

If you're interested in spotting whale sharks, plan your trip for April and May. During these months, whale sharks frequent the tropical waters of Belize, and you can increase your chances of seeing them by visiting during the few days before and after the full moons of April and May. They are often spotted at Gladden Spit off the coast of Placencia.

Another factor to consider when planning your trip is the tourism high season, which runs from December to April. During this period, accommodation prices tend to be at their highest, and you'll encounter larger crowds. If you're looking for a quieter and more affordable experience, visiting in June can be a good option, as it falls right before the peak of the rainy season and offers better deals on flights and accommodation.

In addition to the Blue Hole, which is a famous dive site in Belize, there are several other notable spots to explore. These include Half Moon Caye, Ambergris Caye, Turneffe Atoll, and Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Each of these locations offers a unique underwater experience, with a variety of marine life and geographical features to discover.

Weather

June marks the start of the rainy season in Belize, but it's still a great month to visit. The country experiences warm temperatures, with highs of 84°F (28°C) on the coast and 88°F (31°C) inland. The nights are cool, with temperatures averaging 78°F (25-26°C).

The tradeoff for the rain is that the birds and wildlife are more active, and there are fabulous food festivals to enjoy. The lobster season begins in June, and there are week-long lobster festivals in towns like San Pedro, Caye Caulker, and Placencia.

The constant trade winds and brief afternoon showers help to keep things cool. Rainfall averages 8-9 inches, and it often falls in the early morning or overnight, so it won't interfere with your daytime plans.

The weather is ideal for swimming, sailing, snorkelling, and diving. The water temperature is a pleasant 84°F (29°C).

The further south you go in the country, the more rain you can expect. Southern Belize can receive more than 150 inches per year, while the north rarely gets more than 50 inches.

June is the low season for tourism, so you can take advantage of lower prices and fewer crowds.

Wildlife

June is the start of the rainy season in Belize, and the wildlife in the rainforest becomes active at the onset of the rainy season. The weather in June is still pleasant, with temperatures remaining high, and breezes and rain showers providing some relief from the heat.

The lobster fishing season begins in June, and it is a great time to try some delicious lobster dishes in Placencia and Ambergris Caye. It is also a good time to view manatees, hawksbill and green sea turtles, hammerhead sharks, rays, and dolphins.

The wet season in Belize, from June to November, is a great time to see wildlife as the animals are most active during this time, especially in June and July, when they can feed on blooming trees and flowers. The best time of day to view wildlife in the rainforest is early in the morning, and night walks are also a great time to spot critters.

If you are interested in birdwatching, the best time to visit Belize is from December to April, when resident birds are joined by migratory birds from North America. However, during the summer (rainy season), migratory birds also arrive from South America, so you can still see a variety of bird species in June.

Belize is home to diverse animal species, including jaguars, pumas, and ocelots, which can be found in the country's wildlands and national reserves, such as the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.

Flights and accommodation

June is a great month to visit Belize, with its slightly cooler temperatures and occasional refreshing showers. It's also the low season, so you can expect lower prices on flights and accommodation.

If you're travelling from the United States, you can find good flight deals from major airlines like Delta, American Airlines, United, and Southwest. These airlines offer flights out of several major American cities, including Toronto, Calgary, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, LA, and Denver. With only a 3-5 hour flight time, you can be soaking up the sun in Belize in no time!

When it comes to accommodation, Belize offers a range of options to suit different budgets and preferences. Here are some suggestions for places to stay:

• Cahal Pech Village Resort: Located just outside San Ignacio Town, this resort features thatched-roof cabanas in a natural setting. It's a great base for exploring the Cayo District and nearby Guatemala.
• Belizean Dreams Resort: This luxurious resort in Hopkins is known for its award-winning Woven Palms Restaurant & Beachfront Tiki Bar. It's the perfect place to relax and unwind while enjoying all that Belize has to offer.
• Victoria House on Ambergris Caye: A featured resort that offers a chance to relax and refresh in a luxurious setting.
• Chabil Mar on the Placencia Peninsula: Another featured resort, Chabil Mar provides a tranquil and luxurious experience.
• Villa Massis in San Ignacio Town: For those seeking luxury, Villa Massis is an excellent choice, offering a relaxing stay after exploring Belize.

In addition to these resorts, Belize has a variety of hotels, villas, and bungalows to choose from. You can find accommodation starting at £108 per night, and bundling your flight and hotel bookings can often result in additional savings.

So, whether you're looking for a luxurious resort or a more affordable option, Belize has something to offer, making June a great time to visit this beautiful country.

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