Weather
The relative lack of rain and clear skies during March means temperatures in Belize start to spike. However, the coast remains relatively cool, peaking at about 79°F (26°C) with a low of 77°F (23°C). It's often much hotter and more humid in the capital and inland forested areas, as temps here can reach as high as 88°F (31°C). Humidity around the capital of Belize City is 79% and total rainfall throughout the country is about two inches.
Belize's pleasant sea temperatures hold steady at around 80°F (26°C), meaning the water is always great for a dip, dive, or snorkeling trip. Other than that, this is the height of the dry season, so it will be sunny most of the time.
Crowds & Costs
March is the height of the high season, so expect crowds and costs to be at their peak. Catamaran tours to the outer atolls are packed during this month, as are hotels in hot spots like the town of San Pedro, on Ambergris Caye. For these reasons, we recommend you book your Belize holiday as far in advance as possible (at least a couple of months).
Where to Go
If you want to enjoy Belize's famously beautiful islands (called cayes), there are many options. Southwest Caye is a great base as it's located on a marine reserve at one of the healthiest parts of Belize's Barrier Reef. From here it's easy to explore the waters around Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve and its atolls.
The mainland is home to many Maya archeological sites that make for great day trips. Two that are near each other are Altun Ha and Lamanai. The former covers an area of over three sq. miles and reached the height of its power around 400 CE. The latter, meanwhile, is the oldest Mayan archeological site in the country, dating to around 1500 BCE. Also near these sites are protected wildlife parks and nature reserves like the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary.
What to Do
Conditions are great for wildlife spotting during March. The inland lagoons are havens for waterbirds like herons, storks, and egrets; scarlet macaws make their winter home around the indigenous village of Red Bank, and red-footed boobies are hatching on Half Moon Caye. You can spot more indigenous wildlife, like howler monkeys and iguanas, on the banks of the Moho River. And the Belize Zoo is a great place to view wildcats like ocelots and jaguars.
March is also the beginning of whale shark season in Belize. The best place to see them is at Gladden Spit, just off the coast of Placencia, on Belize's southern coast. Plenty of other exotic marine life, such as sea turtles, rays, and nurse sharks, can be found all along the reef, cayes, and atolls in Belize. If you are feeling adventurous and would like to swim with these animals, Shark Ray Alley, in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, is the best place to do it.
Events in March
National Heroes & Benefactors Day (Mar 9). More commonly known as Baron Bliss Day, this holiday celebrates a wealthy Englishman who died in 1926 and bequeathed his fortune to Belize. Celebrations include a regatta in Belize City plus smaller sailing exhibitions and parties elsewhere in the country.
Traveling to Belize in March? Check out these great itineraries
Experience Belize - 7 Days. Over seven days you'll enjoy a range of adventures. Embark on inland explorations of Mayan ruins and rainforest caves, then head to the islands and kayak around Southwest Caye, located in the Glover's Reef Marine Reserve.
Discover Belize: Rainforests, Ruins, & Reefs - 10 Days. This packed itinerary focuses on Belize's great outdoors. The adventures you'll enjoy over 10 days include visits to indigenous villages, a jungle cruise down the Moho River, overnighting in rainforest lodges, hiking Maya ruins, snorkeling around Glover's Reef Atoll, and more.
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