Belize in February: Travel Tips, Weather & More

There may be no more ideal time of year to visit Belize than February. During this month the sun is ever-present, there's little rain, and the northern winds are mild. It's a great time for diving, wildlife spotting, nature hikes—you name it. Below you'll find all the practical details you need in order to best enjoy your Belize getaway in February.

Weather

The weather around the islands and coast of Belize is nice and refreshing in February. Offshore breezes keep temperatures around a high of 79°F (26°C) and a low of 73°F (22°C). The ocean during this time is always great for a dip, as temps average a pleasant 80°F (26°C).

Temperatures do spike in the inland regions, reaching a high of about 84°F (28°C). Humidity also hovers around 74% during February. One other pleasant reality is that rainfall is only about two inches. In fact, February, March, and April are the three months in which Belize experiences the least amount of rain.

Crowds & Costs

February is the high season for active tours like diving and snorkeling. Sailing to the outer atolls by catamaran is another popular excursion. That's due to the weather being so pleasant and the winds having died down. Those tours usually fill up well in advance, as do many hotels during this month.

No matter which way you cut it, you're going to pay high season prices when you come to Belize in February. And you'll certainly want to make your travel plans at least a couple of months in advance.

Where to Go

If your interests are diving and snorkeling, make your base one of the larger islands like Ambergris Caye. This is the largest of Belize's islands, and from here you can take a number of day trips. Highlight locales along the reef include the famous Blue Hole atoll, Tobacco Caye, and Caye Caulker.

But Belize is much more than its reef systems. There are many highlights on the mainland, too. From Belize City you can embark on day tours or overnight trips around the country, though the city itself doesn't have much to recommend it. A better bet is to head to the town of San Ignacio, further inland. It's close to a number of wildlife reserves and nature parks as well as some of Belize's premier Maya archeological sites, like Altun Ha.

What to Do

If you're coming to Belize specifically to dive, then you're spoiled for choice. Along Belize's 180-mile (290-km) Barrier Reef are eight different marine reserves. Some are devoted to conservation while others are for general use. Hol Chan is one great reserve open to the public. Here you can do it all, from snorkeling and diving along coral reefs to swimming with nurse sharks and rays at Shark Ray Alley. The reserve is easily accessible by boat from the main town of San Pedro, on Ambergris Caye.

Interestingly, you can find great aquatic activities on the mainland, too. Kayaking down the Moho River amid the fertile rainforest is one example. Another is hopping on an inner tube at Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) for an adventure around underwater caves. The most awe-inspiring and culturally significant mainland tours, however, involve visits to Mayan ruins, like Lamanai (settled in 1500 BCE), and enjoying lunching with a local Maya family in an indigenous village.

Birding is another great activity in Belize (there are over 580 species here), and one that's even better in February. The Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, just north of Belize City, is a wetland area home to water birds like storks, spoonbills, and herons. Also, during February and March, the Maya village of Red Bank, located near the Placencia peninsula, is the winter home of scarlet macaws.

Events in February

Fiesta de Carnival (late Feb/early Mar). Belize's take on the popular Caribbean/Spanish festival occurs in San Pedro, on Ambergris Caye, during the week before Lent. This town is lively year-round, but Carnival is an opportunity for Belizeans to really cut loose before the traditional 40-day season of fasting and prayer. Celebrations throughout the week include parades, singing, art shows, group dance competitions (comparsas), plus flour and paint fights. Prepare to get messy.

Traveling to Belize in February? Check out these great itineraries

Islands of Belize - 7 Days. Thirsting for a Caribbean island and beach getaway? This week-long sojourn has you covered. It includes snorkeling around Belize's best islands, like Tobacco Caye and South Water Caye. There's also an unforgettable nocturnal wildlife tour of the Belize Zoo.

Belize Wildlife, Mayan Ruins, & Reef Tour - 9 Days. This itinerary packs tons of excitement in just nine days in Belize. Highlights include hiking around the Lamanai Maya ruins, spotting water birds at Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, and snorkeling/diving in the crystalline waters around Lighthouse Reef Atoll.