Belize In Mid-November: A Tropical Escape Before The Holiday Rush

Mid-November is a great time to visit Belize. While the rainy season runs from June to November, November is the beginning of winter for locals, and the perfect time to visit before the busy Christmas and New Year holiday season. The weather is warm and sunny, with highs of 84°F (29°C) and lows of 75°F (24°C). You can expect clear skies and sunshine, perfect for enjoying the country's beaches, rainforests, and ruins. It's also a great time to take advantage of affordable deals on tours, transportation, and lodging at top resorts.

November is also a month filled with exciting festivals and cultural celebrations. On November 19, the entire country celebrates Garifuna Settlement Day, honouring the rich cultural heritage of the Garifuna people with traditional drumming, dancing, and delicious food. The Battle of the Drums Festival in Punta Gorda is another highlight, with athletic demonstrations and hypnotic rhythms of traditional musical styles. With excellent weather, cultural events, and plenty of outdoor activities, mid-November is a fantastic time to visit Belize.

Weather in mid-November

Mid-November is the beginning of winter for locals in Belize, but most travellers will find it quite warm and sunny. It is the coolest month in Belize and can be a great time to visit, especially if you want to avoid the busy Christmas holiday season in December.

The rainy season runs from June to November, with the wettest months being July and October. The rainy season is also known as the 'green season' and is characterised by warm temperatures and brief but sometimes intense rainfall. The rainforest and wildlife are in full bloom during this time, making birds and wildlife more accessible to visitors.

In mid-November, you can expect highs of around 80°F (29°C) during the day and lows of 75°F (24°C) at night. With excellent weather, plenty of fun festivals, and lots to see and do, November is a great time to visit Belize.

Activities in November

November is a great time to visit Belize if you want to take advantage of affordable deals on tours, transportation, and lodging at some of the country's top resorts and lodges.

On 19 November, the entire country celebrates Garifuna Settlement Day, which commemorates the rich cultural heritage of the Garifuna people, who are descended from a mix of African slaves and native Carib islanders. The day features traditional Garifuna drumming, food, street dancing, and parades.

The town of Punta Gorda in Belize's southern Toledo District hosts the annual Battle of the Drums Festival. The festival runs through the night and features demonstrations of athletic prowess and traditional musical styles, including the hypnotic rhythms of Garifuna.

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve, just off the coast of Ambergris Caye, is a natural paradise perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving.

Best time to visit Belize

The best time to visit Belize depends on your interests and budget.

The dry season, from December to April, is the high season for tourism. The dry season offers warm temperatures, clear skies, and ideal conditions for birding, sunbathing, swimming, and diving.

The shoulder season in November and May is also a great time to visit, as there is still plenty of sunshine, but fewer crowds and more affordable prices.

If you want to avoid the heat and rain, the best time to visit is from February through April.

For scuba divers, the best time to visit is when the waters are calm, typically during the summer offseason for tourism.

Pros and cons of visiting in mid-November

Pros and cons of visiting Belize in mid-November

Mid-November is a great time to visit Belize if you want to beat the Christmas rush and take advantage of the affordable deals on tours, transportation, and lodging. The weather is balmy, with highs of 84°F (29°C) and lows of 75°F (24°C), so you can enjoy the sunny skies and clear waters without the crowds.

On the other hand, mid-November is still considered the rainy season, so you can expect some showers, and the odd storm. The wet weather can make travel challenging, particularly to remote areas, and some businesses may be closed.

Pros:

• Perfect if you want to beat the Christmas rush and New Year crowds.
• Balmy weather with highs of 84°F (29°C) and lows of 75°F (24°C).
• Sunny skies and clear waters.
• Affordable deals on tours, transportation, and lodging.
• Great time to enjoy some of Belize's cultural festivals, like Garifuna Settlement Day on November 19th.

Cons:

• It's still the rainy season, so expect some showers and storms.
• Travel can be challenging, especially to remote areas, due to heavy rainfall and muddy roads.
• Some businesses may be closed for the season.

Garifuna Settlement Day

Mid-November is a great time to visit Belize as it's the start of the dry season, which means warm temperatures and clear skies. It's also the perfect time to beat the tourist rush and grab some deals on accommodation and activities.

The Garifuna Settlement Day celebrations last for a whole week and include parades, live music, drumming, dancing, and prayers. The first landing of the Garifuna is reenacted with boats coming ashore carrying cassava sticks, plantain suckers, and sugarcane—representing the food the Garifuna people brought with them. Traditional Garifuna dishes such as serre (fish boiled in coconut milk), hudut (mashed plantain with fish in coconut milk), and cassava are also a significant part of the festivities. The town of Dangriga, where the first Garifuna people landed, is the centre of the celebrations.

If you're in Dangriga for the celebrations, you can also visit the Gulisi Garifuna Museum, which offers a multimedia experience to learn about the origins, history, and customs of the Garifuna people. The museum also has a working garden of traditional plants and herbs.

Tours, transportation, and lodging

Tours

If you're looking for a guided tour experience in Belize, there are several companies that offer a range of options to choose from. Intrepid Travel, for example, offers various tours with activities like snorkelling with sharks in the Caribbean Ocean, exploring jungles with Mayan ruins, and zip-lining through the Belizean jungle. Island Expeditions is another company that provides Belize adventure trips, including sea kayaking, snorkelling, and exploring Mayan ruins and rainforest caves. These companies can help you build your dream adventure and cater to your specific interests, whether you're a diver, birdwatcher, history buff, or culture enthusiast.

Transportation

When it comes to transportation within Belize, there are a few options to consider. The country has a reliable cell phone network, so staying connected while travelling is generally not an issue. In terms of getting around, Belize has a range of transportation options, but specific information on transportation methods was not readily available.

Lodging

Finding accommodation in Belize depends on the time of year you visit. The dry season, from late November to mid-May, is the peak tourist season, so you may want to book your lodging in advance to ensure availability. During this time, you can expect warm temperatures and clear skies, but you'll also be dealing with larger crowds. If you don't mind the rain, visiting during the rainy season (June to mid-November) can offer better hotel rates, although some establishments may be closed during this period. Keep in mind that hurricanes can occur between June and October, so it's essential to keep an eye on the weather forecast.

Overall, Belize offers a range of lodging options, from modern hotels that accept credit cards to smaller family-run establishments that may only accept cash. It's always a good idea to research and book your accommodation in advance, especially if you plan to visit during the peak season.

Snorkelling and scuba diving

Mid-November falls within Belize's rainy season, which runs from June to November. However, this doesn't mean it's impossible to snorkel or scuba dive during this period. While there may be some showers, these rarely last all day, and the rain shouldn't affect your underwater experience.

In fact, the rainy season could be a good time to visit Belize if you're looking for fewer crowds and more affordable prices. You're also more likely to see manatees during the rainy season, which typically runs from June to September.

That said, the best time for snorkelling and scuba diving in Belize is generally considered to be from April to June. During these months, you can expect the clearest visibility, and it's also a great time to see whale sharks in the tropical waters.

The water temperature in Belize is stable all year round, typically ranging from 79 to 84°F (26 to 29°C). So, you don't need to worry about it being too cold for water activities, even in mid-November.

If you're looking for calmer waters, the summer months are typically the calmest, and this is also the off-season for tourism, so you may find better deals on accommodation and flights. However, do keep in mind that some resorts may be closed during the summer, and heavy rainfall can sometimes make it difficult to access certain areas.

Overall, Belize is a great destination for snorkelling and scuba diving year-round, and mid-November can be a good time to visit if you don't mind a little rain and are looking for lower prices and fewer crowds.

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