Belize's September: Adventure And Nature

September is a great month to visit Belize. It marks the start of the longest holiday season in the hemisphere, with celebrations of Belize's national heritage and history, including St. George's Caye Day on 10 September and Independence Day on 21 September. The country comes alive with live music concerts, parades, food fairs, street dancing, and Carnival. September is also a great time to visit Belize as it is still the green season, when forests and jungles are rejuvenated and bursting with life. The weather is pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 77-86°F (25-30°C), and there are fewer crowds as it is just before the tropical vacation season begins. This means you can enjoy popular ancient Maya sites, beaches, and other attractions without the usual crowds. It's also a great time to take advantage of discounted flights and accommodation, as resorts and lodges offer substantial savings. So, if you're looking for a mix of culture, nature, and relaxation, September is an excellent time to visit Belize!

Celebrate Belize's independence with fireworks, parades and pageants

Belize's Independence Day is celebrated on 21 September, commemorating the day Belize gained its independence from Great Britain in 1981. This date serves as an annual anniversary party that triggers fireworks, bands, parades and pageants.

The celebrations in Belize are a riot of colour, with the country's towns and villages bedecked in the national colours of red, white and blue. The festivities are a great time to see parades, street dancing, fairs and other exciting events.

The celebrations begin in the last week of August and continue right up to Independence Day. Every town and village across the country holds parades featuring marchers, bands and floats. There are also live music concerts throughout the country, with smaller events held in villages and larger events that draw top-name acts and thousands of fans.

The Expo is another popular event, a two-day marketplace showcasing the best products made in Belize. Over 17,000 people attend the Expo to buy locally produced goods, dance, and sample delicious local food.

The patriotic celebrations in Belize are a great time to visit the country, with reduced fares on lodging and organised tours. The weather is also usually cooperative, with blooming flowers and trees adding to the festive atmosphere.

Enjoy fewer crowds and bargain prices

September is the perfect time to visit Belize if you want to avoid crowds and take advantage of bargain prices.

While many visitors time their trips during the traditional high season, those in the know understand that September (along with October and November) offers a distinctive blend of beautiful weather, fewer crowds, and significant savings.

Peak travel seasons, especially during holidays and spring break, often see Belize's popular spots swarmed with tourists. Visiting in September means fewer fellow tourists at iconic locations like the Mountain Pine Ridge, Xunantunich, or the Belize Barrier Reef. The tranquility of this month lets you experience Belize at a slower, more intimate pace.

September is also the start of the holiday season in Belize, with Independence Day on 21 September and St. George's Caye Day on 10 September. The country will be thronged with live musical concerts, parades, food fairs, street dancing, Carnival, and exuberant displays of the red, white and blue (Belize's national colours).

If you're looking for a tropical paradise that's a little less crowded and a little easier on the wallet, September in Belize is the perfect time to visit.

Explore the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave

Actun Tunichil Muknal, also known as the ATM Cave, is a must-see attraction in Belize. Located in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, this cave system is about 3 miles long and consists of a 2-mile river passage and a series of upper prehistoric passages. The cave is filled with relics from the Mayans, including skeletons, ceramics, and stoneware.

To get to the cave, you'll need to take a 45-minute drive from San Ignacio or Belmopan, followed by a refreshing 40-minute hike through the jungle to the cave entrance. It's recommended to start the tour early in the morning when the temperatures are cooler.

Once you reach the cave, you'll be required to remove your shoes and wear socks to minimise the impact of foot traffic on the delicate artefacts inside. You'll then swim through the cave, climb over rocks, and squeeze through tight crevices to explore the different chambers.

One of the most famous artefacts in the cave is the "Crystal Maiden", the skeleton of what is believed to be a 17-year-old boy, possibly a sacrifice victim. Over time, the skeleton has become crystallised, giving it a sparkling appearance.

The cave is also home to a variety of animal life, including bats, large freshwater crabs, crayfish, catfish, and various tropical fish.

Due to the delicate nature of the artefacts and the potential for flooding during heavy rainfall, access to the cave is restricted, and only licensed tour guides are permitted to take visitors inside.

The ATM Cave tour is rated as a soft to medium adventure and offers a unique opportunity to explore an ancient Maya sacrificial site, virtually untouched for centuries. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should not be missed!

Visit the Hol Chan Marine Reserve

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a protected area of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests close to Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, off the coast of Belize. Covering approximately 18 km² (4,448 acres), it is an ideal spot for snorkelling and diving. The name "Hol Chan" is Mayan for "little channel", referring to the natural break in the reef that is rich in marine life.

The reserve is divided into four zones, each with specific regulations to ensure sustainable fishing practices and conservation. Zone A includes the inside and outside of the reef, where no fishing is allowed but snorkelling and diving are popular activities. Zone B covers the seagrass beds inside the reef, where both commercial and sport fishing are permitted with a license. Zone C encompasses the mangrove swamps of southern Ambergris Caye, where no commercial fishing is allowed but sport fishing is allowed under license. Zone D, also known as Shark Ray Alley, is a shallow sandy-bottomed area inside the reef that attracts sharks and stingrays due to the abundance of food available.

With over 160 species of fish, forty types of coral, five species of sponge, two sea grasses, three species of sea turtle, and three marine mammals, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a diverse and vibrant ecosystem. Visitors can expect to see spotted eagle rays, southern stingrays, lobsters, moray eels, sea anemones, and various types of coral such as brain coral, elkhorn coral, and finger coral. The mangrove forests serve as nurseries for many fish species, while the seagrass beds are home to parrotfish, hogfish, and occasional turtles.

To protect this fragile ecosystem, the reserve is managed by the Hol Chan Marine Reserve Trust Fund Committee, which enforces regulations and collects fees from visitors to Zones A and D. These fees contribute to the upkeep of the park, ensuring that the Hol Chan Marine Reserve remains a well-preserved natural attraction for future generations to enjoy.

Experience the month-long celebrations of Belize's national heritage

September is a fantastic time to visit Belize, as the country celebrates its national heritage and history with a month-long party. Nicknamed the "Patriotic Month", September is when Belizeans commemorate their journey towards and achievement of statehood and independence.

The celebrations kick off on 10 September with the national holiday, The Battle of St. George's Caye Day. This marks the British victory over the Spanish fleet off the coast of St. George's Caye in 1798, which led to Belize becoming a British colony. The day is celebrated with street dancing, patriotic poetry and music, and a sea of red, white, and blue—the country's national colours.

From here, the festivities continue until Independence Day on 21 September. This is the main event, marking the day Belize gained its independence from Great Britain in 1981. Every town and village comes alive with parades, street dancing, singing, flag waving, live music concerts, and fireworks. It's a time when Belizeans who live abroad return home to join in the celebrations with their friends and families.

In addition to these patriotic events, September also offers a range of other attractions. There are live musical concerts, food fairs, Carnival, and the Expo—a two-day marketplace showcasing the best products made in Belize. With fewer crowds and more affordable prices, September is a great time to explore ancient Maya sites, beaches, and other attractions.

So, if you're looking for a unique and festive experience, join Belizeans in September as they celebrate their national heritage and history with enthusiasm and pride. It's a chance to see Belize like a local and be part of their special birthday party!

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