Belize in November: The First Breath of Dry Season
November in Belize feels like a memory coming back.
The skies clear. The sun returns. But it’s not the sharp heat of March or April — it’s a soft, golden light that makes everything look newly alive. The rivers still run, the forest still drips, but now the trails firm up and the air carries a little more movement. Birds come back in full voice. The mornings feel lighter.
This is when Belize steps back out into the open. After months of green silence and slow rain, there’s a lift in the land. People start to gather again. Not crowds — not yet — but footsteps, voices, the start of something.
If you’ve ever wanted to visit while Belize is still waking up, but fully alive — this is the moment.
🌎 U.S. vs. Belize: November in Perspective
| 🇺🇸 United States (November) | 🇧🇿 Belize (November) |
|---|---|
| Thanksgiving, chilly winds, start of winter | Rain fades, rivers calm, dry season whispers in |
| Warm inside, cold outside | Warm outside, cool mornings, calm after the storm |
| Bare trees, early snow in the north | Jungle vibrant, butterflies return |
💡 In the U.S., November is retreat. In Belize, it’s emergence. The skies pull back and let you see things clearly again.
☁️ Weather Overview (2022–2024)
| Year | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainfall | Wet Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 85°F | 71°F | 5.3 in | 11 days |
| 2023 | 86°F | 72°F | 4.7 in | 9 days |
| 2024 | 85°F | 71°F | 5.1 in | 10 days |
- Humidity: Starts to drop, especially inland
- Winds: More breeze, less thunder
- Visibility: Clear skies returning
- Sunset: Earlier, around 5:20–5:30pm
- Dry Season Start: Officially begins mid-to-late November
🔍 Source: Belize Met Service, Weather Underground, field observationsNovember marks the start of return season. The skies clear, and the travelers come. → Belize travel safety in November
⚠️ Hurricane Note
November closes hurricane season, but we never fully relax until it’s over.
Older Belizeans remember Hurricane Richard (2010) — a late-season storm that surprised many. By the second half of the month, though, the risk drops dramatically.
“It’s not about fear — it’s about memory. And we keep memory in our sky.”
🌊 What the coast feels like
The coast in November walks to the beat of drums.
Garifuna Settlement Day approaches, and you can feel it. Hopkins, Dangriga, Seine Bight — they begin to move with a rhythm that’s older than the country itself. The sea carries it in. The drums carry it on.
Tourism begins to rise again this month, but it’s not hectic. The air is clear. The beaches are warm. And in the south, you might see a reenactment of the Garifuna landing — people paddling through history, singing to the shore.
This is a good time for the coast. Not just because the weather shifts, but because the spirit rises. The sea is calm. The stories get louder. And you don’t just visit — you witness.
Even though I walk the inland trails, this month reminds me that the whole country is built on arrival. On memory. On rhythm.
🌴 Environment in November
You’ll notice it immediately: the air is lighter.
The jungle still drips, but the drops are fewer.
The rivers run wide, but calmer.
Birdsong returns to the mornings.
Frogs quiet down.
More days without thunder.
There’s a freshness in everything — like the land exhaled after holding its breath since June.
🐟 What’s Special This Month
- Sea clarity improves — great for snorkeling in southern Belize
- Migratory birds increase, especially in wetlands and pine forests
- Butterflies and fireflies return in high numbers inland
- Local farmers begin planting garlic, cabbage, and cool-weather crops
- Garifuna Settlement Day (Nov 19) brings powerful cultural celebrations in Dangriga, Hopkins, and Seine Bight
🗣️ Alvin’s Local Insight
“November is one of the most peaceful months in Belize. The bush quiets down. You can drive for miles and feel like time slowed.”
This is when I take longer walks near the river.
Or bring my family up to Mountain Pine Ridge just to breathe and watch the sky.
It’s also the month when we clean up from the rains, literally and emotionally.
Villages rake debris. Beaches get retouched.
Tour guides start planning again.
It’s the pause between storms and the season.
🗺️ Suggested Tour & Location for November
📍 Tour: Mountain Pine Ridge Tour
🌿 Location: San Ignacio / Mountain Pine Ridge edge
Why it fits:
- Water levels still high, but safe — making canoe entry smooth
- Clear water and filtered light create surreal reflections
- The cave’s silence echoes more deeply this time of year
- On the drive in, the jungle road is vibrant from recent rain
You don’t rush a place like this. November lets you slow down enough to hear the cave breathe.
See Belize Through the Seasons
Curious what another month feels like?
