Belize's February Adventures

Belize is a great place to visit in February, with warm tropical weather, sunny skies, and plenty of attractions. It's a popular destination for couples, with Valentine's Day widely celebrated across the country.

February is the perfect time to visit Belize if you want to escape the cold weather. With temperatures reaching highs of 80°F (27°C) and lows of 70°F (21°C), it's the ideal time to relax on the beach or take a dip in the warm waters of the Caribbean.

There's also a range of events and festivals to enjoy, including the San Pedro Carnival, with its concerts, dancing, parades, and food festivals, and the Placencia Sidewalk Arts and Music Festival, where artists from across Belize display their creations.

For nature lovers, February is a great month for diving and snorkelling, with pleasant weather and calm winds. It's also a good time for wildlife spotting, nature hikes, and exploring ancient Maya ruins like Cahal Pech and Xunantunich.

So, whether you're looking for a romantic getaway, a beach vacation, or an adventure in nature and culture, Belize in February has something for everyone.

Explore the ancient Mayan ruins of Xunantunich and Cahal Pech

Belize is home to several ancient Mayan ruins, including the sites of Xunantunich and Cahal Pech. Both are located in the Cayo District, with Xunantunich about 70-80 miles west of Belize City and Cahal Pech just outside of San Ignacio Town.

Xunantunich

Xunantunich, meaning "Maiden of the Rock" in the Maya languages Mopan and Yucatec, was a Maya civic ceremonial centre for the Belize Valley region during the Late and Terminal Classic periods. The site is located atop a ridge above the Mopan River, within sight of the Guatemala border. The core of the city covers about one square mile and consists of six plazas surrounded by over 26 temples and palaces.

One of its most famous structures is the pyramid "El Castillo", which is the second tallest structure in Belize at 130 feet tall. It is believed to be the axis mundi of the site, or the intersection of the two cardinal lines. Other notable structures include the ritual space Structure A-1, and the burial chamber discovered in 2016, which contained the remains of a male along with various artefacts.

Cahal Pech

Cahal Pech, meaning "place of ticks" in modern-day Maya, was the royal acropolis-palace of an elite Mayan ruling family during the Classic period. The site was settled around 1000 BC and abandoned by 800 AD. Although smaller in size compared to other ruins in Belize, Cahal Pech holds significant religious importance for the ancient Maya. Archaeologists have discovered several fascinating artefacts at the site, including conch shell carvings, moulded female figurines, and pottery made with jade and obsidian. Cahal Pech also features two Ball Courts, which are believed to have been used for ritual sacrifices according to Maya sacred text, the Popol Vuh.

Go snorkelling or scuba diving at the Belize Barrier Reef

Belize is an excellent destination for snorkelling and scuba diving, with hundreds of small islands (cayes) and an abundance of marine life. The Belize Barrier Reef is the ultimate destination for a tropical snorkelling adventure and is within easy reach of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker.

The dry season, from November to May, is generally the best time to visit and snorkel the Belize Barrier Reef, but it is possible to snorkel there all year round. Visibility remains constant year-round away from the mainland shore.

Belize has an expansive network of marine parks, and there are a few places on Earth to match its undersea world. The premiere destinations for snorkelling in Belize are the Southwater Caye Marine Reserve, Glover's Reef Atoll, and Lighthouse Reef Atoll.

Belize is home to hundreds of the world's most unique underwater creatures, including manatees, three main species of rays, and three species of sea turtles. Whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, gather in Belize during the spring months.

When snorkelling in Belize, it is recommended to wear a lightweight wetsuit or a spandex/lycra dive suit to keep warm and protect yourself from sunburn. This will also reduce the need for sunscreen, as residues can harm and bleach corals.

There are many snorkelling tour options available, with most costing around $35 USD, including snorkel gear. Be mindful of an additional $10 BZ park tax for foreigners, which goes towards the upkeep and protection of the reef.

• Hol Chan Marine Reserve
• Shark Ray Alley
• Silk Cayes
• Southwater Caye Marine Reserve
• Tobacco Caye
• Swallow Caye Marine Reserve
• Gladden Spit, near Placencia
• Half Moon Caye National Monument
• Lighthouse Reef
• Ambergris Caye
• Caye Caulker

Visit San Pedro for the 'party capital of Belize'

Visit San Pedro for the Party Capital of Belize

San Pedro, often nicknamed the "party capital of Belize", is a must-visit destination in February. With its sunny skies and warm tropical weather, Belize is the perfect place to escape the cold and enjoy some festive fun. And there's no better place to let loose and celebrate than San Pedro, located on the island of Ambergris Caye. Here's what you can expect from this vibrant town during your February visit:

San Pedro Carnival

During the week before Lent, San Pedro comes alive with ecstatic celebrations. The town explodes with singing, dancing, parades, and even a painting contest! Residents take to the streets wearing masks and joining in the flour fighting. It's a time of merrymaking and overturning normalcy. This carnival is a popular tradition in Catholic countries and can be witnessed throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. It's a chance for the community to come together and celebrate before the more solemn period of Lent.

Live Concerts and Food Festivals

As the "party capital", San Pedro certainly delivers when it comes to live entertainment and culinary delights. During the San Pedro Carnival, you'll be treated to lively concerts featuring local and international talent. The town's restaurants and food vendors also showcase their best dishes, so you can indulge in a variety of tasty treats while dancing the night away. It's an explosion of flavours and sounds that will tantalize your senses!

Cultural Experiences

Beyond the parties, San Pedro offers a wealth of cultural experiences. The International Costa Maya Festival, held in downtown San Pedro, is a highlight for many. This festival brings together people from all over Belize and the world, with Central American and Mexican music, beauty queens, cultural dances, international cuisine, and arts and crafts. It's a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Beach Relaxation

February is an ideal time to enjoy the beaches of San Pedro. With endless sunny days and balmy temperatures, you can relax on the golden sands or take a dip in the warm waters of the Caribbean. It's the perfect setting for a romantic stroll with your loved one or some leisurely beach time with friends. And if you're feeling adventurous, you can try snorkelling or scuba diving at the Belize Barrier Reef.

Exploring Ancient Ruins

For a change of pace, you can explore the ancient Maya ruins near San Pedro. Take a trip to Cahal Pech and Xunantunich to uncover the mysteries of these archaeological sites. The Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave in Cayo District is also worth visiting, as it was once a place where Maya priests conducted human sacrifices.

So, if you're looking for a combination of vibrant celebrations, cultural immersion, and tropical relaxation, San Pedro is the place to be in February. It's the perfect destination to let loose, explore, and create unforgettable memories in the "party capital of Belize"!

Take a trip to the Placencia Sidewalk Arts and Music Festival

February is an ideal time to visit Belize, with its warm tropical weather and sunny skies. The Placencia Sidewalk Arts and Music Festival is a celebration of Belizean arts and culture, held in the village of Placencia, located at the southern tip of the Placencia Peninsula. With its central sidewalk transformed into an interactive art gallery and music festival, Placencia comes alive with colour, sound, and delicious food.

The festival takes place on the world's smallest main street, a four-foot-wide sidewalk that stretches for over 4,000 feet. Artists and artisans from across Belize display their creations, including paintings, photographs, sculptures, wood carvings, handmade furniture, clothing, and homemade jewellery. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of games, drinks, live music, and poetry readings.

The Placencia festival is a great opportunity to shop for unique, handcrafted items and explore the country's vibrant music scene. It's a wonderful two-day celebration that offers something for everyone, with plenty of activities and entertainment for the whole family.

Placencia is easily accessible via airplane, boat, or road transportation from most locations in Belize. The village is just a short distance from gorgeous beaches and offers stunning views of the reef, offshore islands, and the nearby lagoon. After enjoying the festival, visitors can head to the beach for a relaxing swim or stroll, followed by a delicious meal or cocktail at one of the local beach bars.

Go birdwatching or wildlife spotting

Belize is a haven for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts, with its diverse ecosystems, habitats, and wildlife sanctuaries. Here are some places to go birdwatching and wildlife spotting in February:

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in Crooked Tree Village, the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the top bird-watching spots in Belize. It is a vast wetland area spanning over 16,400 acres, including lagoons, swamps, and marshes. The dry season, from February to May, is the peak time to spot a variety of birds, including wading birds like storks, spoonbills, and herons. The sanctuary is also home to crocodiles, iguanas, turtles, and coatis.

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve

The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, located in the Cayo District, offers a beautiful landscape of rolling pine forests and granite hillsides. Bird watchers can spot various species, such as the rufous-capped warbler, crossbill, pine siskin, stygian owl, and eastern bluebird. It is also one of the best places to see the rare Orange-breasted Falcon.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is known as the world's only Jaguar Preserve. While jaguar sightings are rare, the sanctuary is home to a diverse range of bird species, including forest dwellers, pine woodland species, and savanna species. It is also a great place to see other wildlife, such as pumas, ocelots, deer, and tapirs.

Caracol Archaeological Reserve

The Caracol Mayan Ruins, located in Mountain Pine Ridge, is home to a variety of bird species, including the globally vulnerable Keel-billed Motmot. Other notable birds found in this area include the Ocellated Turkey, the Crested Guan, and the Great Curassow. Visitors can also spot colourful toucans and trogons while exploring the ancient Maya site.

Aguacaliente Wildlife Sanctuary

The Aguacaliente Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Toledo District, is a nature reserve that protects important breeding colonies for many bird species. Common sightings include cormorants, wood storks, herons, egrets, whistling ducks, sandpipers, and swallows.

Half Moon Caye Natural Monument

Declared a crown reserve bird sanctuary in 1928, Half Moon Caye is Belize's oldest wildlife protection site. It is known for its colony of Red-footed Boobies, with an estimated 4,000 birds.

Community Baboon Sanctuary

Despite its name, this sanctuary is actually home to thousands of howler monkeys rather than baboons. Spanning over 20 miles, it is a unique conservation effort where landowners from seven villages have voluntarily pledged to protect the Black Howler Monkey habitat.

The Belize Zoo

The Belize Zoo, located about an hour from Belize City, is home to a variety of rescued and rehabilitated animals, including Lindo the jaguar, Cortland the Margay, and Sparks, the famous tapir. They offer interactive tours where visitors can get up close and personal with the animals.

Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary

A few miles off the coast of Belize City, Swallow Caye is a wildlife sanctuary dedicated to protecting manatees. Certain tours allow visitors to observe these gentle giants as they graze on the sandy floors and come up for air.

Birding Lodges and Resorts

For those looking for accommodation that caters specifically to birdwatchers, there are several options in Belize. These include Chaa Creek, Chan Chich Lodge, Birds Eye View Lodge, and Programme for Belize, which offer easy access to top bird-watching spots and experienced guides.

Frequently asked questions