Ruqayyah Snyder
Halloween in Belize falls on the same day as in the US – 31 October. While the country does celebrate Halloween, the biggest party of the year is held on Ambergris Caye, an island in the northeast of the country. The Holiday Hotel on Barrier Reef Drive hosts a costume party that's so popular the entire block is closed, and a purple carpet is rolled out to welcome the stars of the night.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 31 October |
| Location | Belize |
| Traditions | Trick-or-treating, costume parties, Los Finados |
| Typical Activities | Dressing up, costume contests, parties, religious ceremonies, creating altars, visiting cemeteries, candle-lighting, processions, beachfront celebrations, snorkelling, zip-lining, visiting ancient Maya cities |
| Food and Drink | Pumpkin desserts, pumpkin lattes, Ixpas, tamales, rum, cigarettes |
What You'll Learn
Halloween parties in Belize
Halloween in Belize is a fun, family-friendly celebration, with locals, tourists, and expats alike dressing up in spooky costumes and partaking in traditional activities like trick-or-treating and costume parties. The country's rich Maya history also lends itself to unique Halloween traditions, such as the Los Finados celebration, which honours the reunion of the living and the dead.
If you're looking for Halloween parties in Belize, here are some top destinations to consider:
San Pedro
San Pedro, located on Ambergris Caye, is known for hosting some of the best Halloween parties in Belize. The Holiday Hotel, in particular, puts on a spectacular Halloween event, with residents and visitors coming together in their most creative costumes for a night of fun, prizes, surprises, and dancing. The street outside the hotel becomes packed with spectators, and the party continues inside with a vibrant atmosphere.
Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker is another popular destination for Halloween celebrations in Belize. The island comes alive with ghoulish decorations, and you can expect to find several parties across the island. Wayo's Beach Bar, for example, hosts a haunted house that is a big hit with both kids and adults.
Placencia
Placencia is known for its beachfront Halloween celebrations. In addition to the usual costume contests and parties, you can also enjoy other Belize activities, such as snorkelling on the Belize Barrier Reef or exploring ancient Maya cities.
Benque Viejo Del Carmen
If you're looking for a more traditional and cultural experience, head to the town of Benque Viejo Del Carmen in Cayo. Here, you can take part in the Los Finados celebration, which includes a Catholic Mass, candle lighting, and processions to the cemetery. It's a unique way to honour the reunion of the living and the dead and learn about Maya traditions.
Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave
For a truly chilling adventure, explore the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave near San Ignacio Town. This cave, shrouded in mystery and history, was named one of the most sacred caves in the world by National Geographic in 2019. Inside, you'll find ancient Mayan artefacts, including the skeleton of a Maya sacrificial victim coated in sparkling crystal carbonate, known as the Crystal Maiden.
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Los Finados
In Belize, Los Finados is observed by the Mestizos of the north and west portions of the country. The day is also especially celebrated in the small village of Benque Veijo Del Carmen, where Belizeans from across the country make an annual pilgrimage. The day starts with a Catholic Mass, where candles are lit to show the way for the departed to return. It is believed that in October, the dead are allowed to visit and walk among the living. At the end of the journey, the living throw a going-away party, marking the end of the journey of their departed loved ones.
One can find decorated altars in homes, laden with candles to light the way back to the underworld, along with photos of the dearly departed. Ixpas, a traditional corn porridge made specifically for this festival, is commonly placed on the altar, along with tamales or a favourite food of the departed. Rum and cigarettes are also offered if the deceased enjoyed those things in their lifetime. Everything is presented smoking hot, or burned, as it is believed that the dead can only smell the smoke and steam.
A procession is then made from the church or home to the cemetery, where wreaths and candles are laid, and the food prepared on the altar is presented. This marks the end of the traditional celebration, but in recent years, the younger generation combines it with trick-or-treating.
On November 9, candles are placed along the roads to help the last souls find their way to the cemetery.
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Belize's Dia de los Muertos
Dia de Los Muertos is observed by Maya and Mestizo communities across Belize, who come together to commemorate their ancestors. Small tables are decorated as altars, with water, flowers, fruits, candles, photos of the deceased, and their favourite foods and drinks. Traditional Belizean dishes such as tamales, bollos, caldo de gallina, chirmole, and ishpasha atole are prepared, along with alcoholic drinks like rum and tequila.
On All Souls Day, which falls on November 2, the Catholic Church holds a mass where people pray for their loved ones who have passed away. This is followed by a procession to the local cemetery, where people carry wreaths, candles, and food to place on the graves. They adorn the tombs, pray, share anecdotes, and celebrate the lives of their deceased relatives.
The festival is marked by vibrant symbols, most notably the skull (Calavera) painted in bright colours. It is customary to visit the tombs of the dead, bearing flowers and food. Maya and Mestizo communities in the northern and western districts of Belize, as well as in Maya and Mestizo villages, actively celebrate Dia de Los Muertos.
While Dia de Los Muertos is a time for solemn remembrance, it is also a festive occasion. Music is played, and there is a sense of celebration as families gather to honour their ancestors. This blend of solemnity and festivity makes Belize's Dia de Los Muertos a unique and meaningful tradition.
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Halloween in Placencia
The village of Placencia is known for going all out for Halloween, with costumed party-goers taking over the beaches, bars, and streets. One of the most famous Halloween parties in Placencia is the annual Barefoot Bar Halloween bash, where locals don their best costumes and dance the night away to a DJ. For those looking for a different vibe, the Tipsy Tuna offers a reggae soundtrack to their Halloween celebrations.
The real stars of the show, however, are the kids. A parade featuring dressed-up youngsters and impressive floats travels from the pier through town, with trophies and candy awarded to the best-dressed. After the parade and costume contest, the children partake in some good old-fashioned trick-or-treating, knocking on the doors of the gorgeous houses of Placencia, which have been transformed into cobweb-covered castles and zombie-filled shacks.
For those looking for a more relaxing Halloween experience, the Itz'ana Resort offers a bewitching transformation with a haunted house, costume contests, eerie beachside cinema nights, and spooky crafts and games for all ages. Their adults-only Halloween party is a glamorous affair, with Halloween-themed cocktails and live music at their iconic Biblio Bar.
Whether you're looking for a wild night of partying or a more family-friendly celebration, Placencia, Belize, has something for everyone this Halloween!
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Halloween activities
Halloween in Belize is a fun, family-friendly holiday. While typical Halloween activities like trick-or-treating and costume parties can be found, there are other annual celebrations that fall around October 31 in Belize.
Los Finados
The Mestizos of the north and west portions of Belize observe Los Finados, a three-day celebration honouring loved ones who have passed away. The Maya believed that life continued after death, and Belize was a significant cultural centre for the Maya. During Los Finados, believers create elaborate altars with offerings for the dead, including food, sweets, and anything the deceased enjoyed in life. On the third day, they attend a Catholic mass and then proceed to the cemetery to bid their loved ones a final farewell.
Day of the Dead
Belizeans also celebrate the Day of the Dead, known in other Latin American countries as Dia de los Muertos. This is another celebration of the reunion of the living and the dead. On November 9, they light candles along the roads to guide the souls to the cemetery.
- Visit the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave near San Ignacio Town, which was named one of the most sacred caves in the world by National Geographic in 2019. Inside the cave lies the skeleton of a Maya sacrificial victim coated in sparkling crystal carbonate, nicknamed the Crystal Maiden.
- Go on a night tour of the Chaa Creek's "Creatures of the Night" to spot ocelots, howler monkeys, tarantulas, and other nocturnal creatures.
- Canoe on the Macal River in San Ignacio to see bats, iguanas, tropical birds, and other wildlife.
- Explore the Blue Hole, an underwater cavern with a mysterious origin story. Divers can see Hammerhead and reef sharks, schools of barracuda, and colourful tropical fish.
- Experience a Maya Shaman Healing, a cleansing ritual performed by a traditional Maya shaman using special herbs and the incense of copal (tree resin).
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Frequently asked questions
Halloween in Belize is celebrated on 31 October, the same date as in many other countries.
The biggest Halloween party in Belize is hosted at the iconic Holiday Hotel on Barrier Reef Drive in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.
The entire block is closed for the party, and a purple carpet is rolled out for the stars of the night in their creative and elaborate costumes. Prizes are awarded for the craziest, creepiest, most elegant, most creative, and most spectacular outfits. Inside the hotel, DJs keep the party going, with occasional interruptions to announce particular entrances. The party pauses for the presentation of prizes, and then continues until the early hours of the morning.
In addition to the typical Halloween activities of trick-or-treating and costume parties, Belize has other annual observances around 31 October, including Los Finados, a three-day celebration honouring loved ones who have passed away.
