Belize In July: Sunny And Warm

July is one of the best months to visit Belize to enjoy its natural beauty and outdoor activities. Although it falls in the northern hemisphere's summer, Belize's temperatures in July are similar to the rest of the year, with daytime highs of 30°C and nighttime lows of 26°C. The weather is ideal for swimming, sailing, snorkelling, and relaxing on the beach. It is also the perfect time to visit Belize's famous Maya ruins, such as Caracol, Xunantunich, and Cahal Pech, as the afternoons tend to be drier than mornings and evenings.

Belize in July is also a great time for nature lovers, as it is well into the lobster season, and you can attend various lobster festivals in towns like San Pedro, Caye Caulker, and Placencia. It is also a good time for birdwatching, as exotic birds like macaws and toucans are abundant in the nature reserves and rivers on the mainland.

However, it is important to note that July is one of the rainiest months in Belize, with frequent showers and overnight thunderstorms. Despite the rainfall, conditions in and around the water remain good, and the eastern breezes provide a welcome cooling effect.

Rainfall and storms

July is one of the rainiest months in Belize, with the country experiencing its wet season from June through December. However, rainfall in July mostly follows a pattern of morning showers and overnight thunderstorms, so you can still enjoy the outdoors during the daytime. The rain typically comes in the form of short bursts, and temperatures remain high, characteristic of tropical climates. The average temperature in Belize in July is 30°C (86°F), with a nighttime average of 26°C (79°F).

Belize City, for example, typically accumulates 244mm (9.61") of precipitation during July, with rainfall on 16.3 days of the month. The overall climate remains tolerably warm, with balmy evenings and rain-washed landscapes. The humidity in Belize City in July is 83%, and the heat index can reach extremely hot levels of 42°C (107.6°F), so precautions should be taken to avoid heat-related issues.

The rain in July transforms the cityscape, making it a picturesque time to visit. The frequent showers also bring relief from the heat, with eastern breezes cooling off the mainland. These conditions make it an ideal time for swimming, sailing, snorkelling, and other water activities. The seawater temperature is pleasant, averaging 29°C (84.2°F) from May through November.

While July is a rainy month, it is not continuous rainfall, and you can still experience the beauty of Belize. The rain tends to come in the form of quick storms or downpours, and the country's safety and evacuation procedures during severe weather are effective. The "little dry" period in late July or August provides a break from the wet season.

The wet season in Belize is also the hurricane season, and while the country does not attract many major direct hits, it experiences severe tropical weather with high winds and rain. However, Belize has a cooperative early warning network in place, and the overall mild nature of its climate makes it a year-round destination for travellers.

Wildlife spotting

Belize in July is all about wildlife spotting. With temperatures averaging 88°F (31°C) and frequent rainfall, it's a great time to explore the country's nature reserves and spot some exotic wildlife. Here are some tips for wildlife spotting in Belize during July:

Head to Nature Reserves:

• Mayflower Bocawina National Park: Located in southern Belize, this park offers abundant wildlife, including exotic birds, monkeys, tapirs, jaguars, and waterfalls. It's a great place to start your wildlife journey.
• Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary: This protected wetland in northern Belize is home to various water birds like herons, storks, and limpkins.
• Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary: As the only jaguar sanctuary in the world, this preserve is operated by the Belize Audubon Society and protects over 125,000 acres of land. It's also a haven for birdwatchers and those seeking to spot other exotic animals.
• Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Preserve: This high-altitude preserve near the Caracol Maya Ruins is home to jaguars, ocelots, coatimundis, and rare birds like pine siskins and eastern bluebirds.

Explore Marine Life:

• Hol Chan Marine Reserve: Located near Ambergris Caye, this reserve offers excellent snorkelling opportunities to spot rays, moray eels, groupers, and barracudas.
• Glover's Reef: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Glover's Reef is a fantastic protected area for snorkelling and exploring island life.
• Lighthouse Reef: Head to Lighthouse Reef for a chance to spot hammerhead sharks.
• Shark Ray Alley: Here, you can swim with nurse sharks and experience these gentle giants up close.
• Placencia: Take a boat tour off Belize's southern coast in Placencia to spot manatees.

Visit the Belize Zoo:

The Belize Zoo is a sanctuary for orphaned and abandoned wildlife, and it has a successful jaguar rehabilitation program. It's a great place to see jaguars, ocelots, spider monkeys, coatis, scarlet macaws, and other exotic animals up close.

River Trips:

Take a trip down the Moho and New rivers to spot native wildlife, including howler monkeys, crocodiles, and various bird species. Plan your boat tours around the rain, as morning showers and overnight thunderstorms are common in July.

Maya Ruins:

Since afternoons tend to be drier in July, it's a great time to visit Belize's famous Maya ruins, such as Caracol, located in the southwest of the country.

Remember, July is one of the rainiest months in Belize, so be prepared for frequent showers. However, the rainfall can bring a sense of transformation, making the landscapes lush and picturesque. With its consistent warm temperatures and abundant wildlife, Belize in July offers a unique opportunity for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a different kind of summer adventure.

Lobster season

In July, Belize City experiences a wet spell with abundant rainfall and intermittent sunshine. The overall temperatures remain high, characteristic of tropical climates, but become more manageable due to frequent showers. The average high temperature is 31.1°C (88°F), and the nighttime average temperature is 24.3°C (75.7°F). The heat index, or 'real feel', is calculated to be an extremely hot 42°C (107.6°F), so extra precautions are necessary to prevent heat-related illnesses. The average relative humidity is 83%, and there are typically 16.3 rainfall days with 244mm (9.61") of accumulated precipitation. The average sea temperature is 29°C (84.2°F), which is ideal for swimming and other water activities.

July is an ideal month to visit Belize to attend the opening of lobster season, which usually begins on July 1st. Lobster Fest is celebrated with a range of festivities, including special dinners, outdoor food booths serving various lobster dishes, wacky beauty pageants, drinks, music concerts, and beach and street parties. The celebrations take place in several locations across Belize, including San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Placencia, and Belize City. Here is some more information about Lobster Fest in these locations:

San Pedro

San Pedro's Lobster Fest is one of the biggest and most extravagant events, with many establishments offering free live music and discounted prices on drinks and lobster. It usually lasts for two weeks, from July 1st to 13th.

Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker is the birthplace of Belizean Lobster Fest and usually takes place from July 12th to 14th. They offer better prices than San Pedro, and even the boat rides to and from the island are heavily discounted. Caye Caulker takes its Miss Lobster Fest pageant very seriously, with teens showcasing their beauty and charm to win the coveted title.

Placencia

Placencia holds its Lobster Fest on July 5th to 7th. It is often considered better than the events in San Pedro and Caye Caulker due to its beautiful beaches.

Belize City

Belize City's Lobster Fest is typically held during the second week of July at the famous Bird's Isle in the southern part of the city. Bird's Isle is an iconic but little-known island that caters mainly to residents of Belize City who don't want to travel out of town.

Maya ruins

Belize in July is hot and humid, with average daytime highs of 82-86°F (28-30°C) and nighttime temperatures of around 78°F (26°C). The weather is similar to June, with increasing rainfall, particularly in the mornings, and easterly breezes that provide some relief from the heat.

Now, onto the Maya ruins. Belize is known as the epicentre of the ancient Maya world and was once home to over 2 million Mayas. The country boasts the largest number of ancient Maya ruins in Central America. The ancient Maya civilisation spanned several millennia and began to break apart for unknown reasons between 600 and 900 AD. The once-mighty cities were swallowed up by the jungle and, by the time Europeans arrived on the continent, the Maya civilisation had almost completely disappeared.

Altun Ha

Located 31 miles north of Belize City, Altun Ha is a major ceremonial and trade centre during the Classic Period. The site is easy to walk around and features two large central plazas and pyramids. The most significant find at Altun Ha is the Maya Jade Head, representing the Mayan Sun God, Kinich Ahua. It is the largest jade object from the Maya civilisation. The area surrounding the ruins is rich in wildlife, including armadillos, bats, squirrels, agouti, paca, foxes, raccoons, coati, tyra, tapir and white-tailed deer.

Caracol

Caracol is the largest Maya site ever excavated in Belize. It is located within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, on the western edge of the Maya Mountains. This ancient city was once one of the most powerful in the Maya world, home to about 120,000 people. Caracol features majestic temples, including the Canaa (Sky Place) pyramid, which, at 140 feet tall, is the tallest man-made structure in Belize. The site is still being excavated and much remains to be discovered.

Xunantunich

Xunantunich is located on the Western Highway across the Mopan River from the village of San Jose Succotz. It was the first Maya ruin to open to the public in 1950. This site features six plazas, over 25 temples and palaces, and a museum. The highest ruin is 133 feet tall, making it the second-tallest temple in Belize. Well-preserved sun god masks decorate one side of the structure. To get to Xunantunich, you need to take a ferry from San Jose Succotz village, which is a unique experience in itself.

Cahal Pech

Cahal Pech is located just outside San Ignacio in the Belize River Valley. This Maya site is smaller in scale than neighbouring Xunantunich but is still fascinating. Cahal Pech was originally built as a place for the wealthy and features several pyramids, residence buildings, and seven courtyards. The central part of the ruins offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area. The site includes 34 structures, including temple pyramids, two ball courts, an altar, and five plain stelae, all within two acres.

Lamanai

Lamanai is one of the oldest continuously occupied Maya sites in Belize. Located 24 miles south of Orange Walk Town, this site is prized for its ruins and its spectacular jungle setting near the New River Lagoon. The name Lamanai means "submerged crocodile" in Maya. Lamanai is one of the largest Maya ceremonial centres and has over 719 mapped structures, including two 16th-century Christian churches and a 19th-century sugar mill.

El Pilar

El Pilar is a 100-acre Maya site situated 12 miles northwest of San Ignacio in the Village of Bullet Tree Falls. The site features a causeway that extends from the eastern part of the ruins across the border into Guatemala. So far, 12 pyramids and 25 plazas have been discovered at El Pilar. The structures are mostly in the early stages of excavation. El Pilar offers five trail systems, three archaeological and two nature trails, providing insight into the agro-forestry of the ancient Mayas.

Belize's festivals

Belize has a tropical climate, with an average yearly temperature of 84° F (29°C). The weather in July is hot and humid, with an average high of 31.1°C (88°F) and a nighttime average of 24.3°C (75.7°F). The heat index is extremely hot at 42°C (107.6°F), so precautions are needed to avoid heat-related health issues. The average relative humidity is 83%, and there is abundant rainfall and intermittent sunshine.

July is a great time to visit Belize to enjoy its many festivals, including those celebrating the start of lobster season. Here is a list of some of the festivals in Belize:

• Lobster Festivals: San Pedro Lobster Fest, Placencia Lobster Fest, and Caye Caulker Lobster Festival are held in June and July to celebrate the opening of lobster season. These festivals feature delicious lobster dishes, music, dancing, and cocktails.
• Benque Viejo Del Carmen Fiesta: This multi-day celebration is held in the border town of Benque Viejo Del Carmen, starting on July 1. It includes religious celebrations, carnival rides, pageants, parades, live music, and a firework show.
• San Pedro International Costa Maya Festival: This five-day festival in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, takes place in August and unites music, dance, cuisine, and cultural celebrations from Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico.
• Deer Dance Festival: A unique Belizean festival held in the Mayan village of San Antonio in the southern Toledo District. It features a ritualized dance emulating deer hunting, followed by a greased pole-climbing competition.
• St. George's Caye Day (September 10*): This festival commemorates Belize's 1798 victory over the Spaniards in battle. It includes street festivals, a reenactment of the battle, the crowning of Miss San Pedro, a children's bicycle race, a fishing tournament, and plenty of food and drinks.
• Belize Independence Day (September 21*): Following St. George's Caye Day, Belize continues the celebration with colorful parades, processions, and events to commemorate its independence from England in 1981.
• Garifuna Settlement Day (November 19*): This day commemorates the 1832 arrival of the Garinagu people in Dangriga, Belize. It is celebrated with live music, drumming, traditional dancing, and authentic Garifuna food.
• Costa Maya Festival: Starting on the first Thursday of August, this festival in San Pedro was originally a sea and air festival. It has evolved into a multinational cultural festival featuring participants from Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Belize.
• Chocolate Festival: Held in late May in the southern district of Toledo, this festival celebrates all things cacao and chocolate. Local businesses showcase their chocolate-related products, including creative items like skin treatments and wines.
• San Ignacio Town Market: While not a festival, the bustling San Ignacio Town market is a popular destination for tourists and locals. It offers a rich mix of foods, handicrafts, handmade clothes, and traditional medicines.

Belize has a variety of festivals and cultural events throughout the year, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to experience the country's rich cultural heritage.

Frequently asked questions