Belize in December: Dry Skies, Green Hills, and the Return of Light
December in Belize feels like a door swinging wide.
The rains are mostly gone. The air is warm but not yet heavy. The rivers run clear, and the trails are alive again — not muddy, but firm beneath your feet. The mornings come soft and bright. The evenings stretch longer. And there’s a feeling, all across the country, that something has begun.
It’s not just the weather. It’s movement. People traveling again. Villages cleaning up their trails. Guides stepping back onto the path. Even the birds seem to fly with more purpose.
December is when Belize reintroduces itself — not as a place to escape winter, but as a place to come fully into it.
🌎 U.S. vs. Belize: December Reflections
| 🇺🇸 United States (December) | 🇧🇿 Belize (December) |
|---|---|
| Cold, snow, fireplaces | Warm, sunny days with cool nights |
| Christmas trees and bundled-up shopping | Outdoor parades, palm trees, and beach swims |
| Year winding down | Season beginning — tourism and bush waking up |
💡 In the U.S., December is closure. In Belize, it’s a new beginning — where the sun stretches long and wide again.
☀️ Weather Overview (2022–2024)
| Year | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainfall | Wet Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 84°F | 69°F | 3.2 in | 7 days |
| 2023 | 85°F | 70°F | 2.8 in | 6 days |
| 2024 | 84°F | 68°F | 3.1 in | 8 days |
- Humidity: Lower, especially inland
- Visibility: Excellent — coastal and highland views open up
- Winds: Light trade winds, calmer sea
- Dry Season: Officially started
- Wildfire risk: Still low; landscape remains green
🔍 Source: Belize Met Service, regional station archives, personal tracking notesIn December, Belize opens up. But more visitors means more movement — and more to be aware of. → Holiday season safety in Belize
🌊 What the coast feels like
December on the coast is full of light — not just sunshine, but life.
The sea calms down. The water clears up. Boats are back on the water early. The days feel longer, the breeze cooler, and the shoreline fills with families, travelers, food stalls, and the sound of laughter riding in with the tide.
In places like Placencia and Caye Caulker, the rhythm picks up. Not too fast, but steady. Fishermen back on the reef. Divers chasing clarity. Guests showing up with sandals and stories.
There’s a joy here — not the loud kind, but the shared kind. The kind that says: you made it. You’re here. The sun is back. Let’s go.
And even though I guide mostly inland, I can’t ignore what the sea does in December. It reminds us that Belize doesn’t rush. It welcomes.
🌴 Environment in December
By now, the jungle looks sculpted by light.
The sky feels taller. Leaves sparkle instead of drip.
Hills near San Ignacio show their full color — from pine to broadleaf.
The sea turns clear blue, especially on the barrier reef side.
Seagrass movements slow.
The rivers pull back — still wide, but no longer spilling.
You can breathe more deeply in December. Not because it’s dry — but because it feels known.
🐟 What’s Special This Month
- Sea turtles are sometimes spotted near southern cayes
- Caves are clearer — less moisture, stronger echoes
- Pine Ridge roads become easier to access
- Migration peaks for hawks, warblers, and shorebirds
- Christmas in Belize blends Creole, Mestizo, Garifuna, and Maya traditions
* Watch for white fruitcake, Relleno negro, Jankunu dances, and bram (Creole house-to-house parades)
🗣️ Alvin’s Local Insight
“I love December for the light. Even when the year’s been heavy, it shows up different. That’s when people start moving again — guides, farmers, even the parrots.”
This is the month I see visitors and locals share the same rhythm again.
Walking by rivers. Visiting families. Sitting under trees.
December in Belize is not just a good month to visit — it’s a good month to reflect.
🗺️ Suggested Tour & Location for December
📍 Tour: Caracol Maya Ruins + Rio Frio Cave
🌿 Location: Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, Cayo District
Why it fits:
- Dry roads allow access to Caracol deep in the jungle
- Clear skies make temple-top views unforgettable
- Rio Frio Cave is dry and glowing — perfect contrast of stone and light
- Less water in the creeks, so you can walk deeper into places normally wet
December is when the bush opens up and history feels close enough to touch.
See Belize Through the Seasons
Curious what another month feels like?
