Weather
There's no way around it: Belize in July means you're going to get wet. Statistically, this is one of the rainiest months of the year. The good news is that the rains mostly follow a pattern and come in the form of morning showers or overnight thunderstorms. In other words, they aren't nearly as bad as they are during hurricane months like September and October.
Yet despite rainfall averaging over seven inches in July, conditions in and around the water are good. Visibility is still great, and eastern breezes often come in and cool off the mainland. This is welcome, as inland temperatures often top out around 88°F (31°C).
Crowds & Costs
A great advantage of traveling to Belize during July is the low prices on hotels and lodging. This is getting into the thick of the rainy season, after all, and by now the crowds have conspicuously died down. You won't have to book your hotel far in advance, and tours won't sell out so fast. Having said that, it might be harder to find catamaran tours to the outer atolls during this month.
Where to Go
To get the most out of your experience in Belize, head anywhere where wildlife is abundant. On the mainland, you can choose from many national parks and protected areas. Mayflower Bocawina National Park, located in southern Belize, is a good option. Exotic birds and other wildlife are in abundance here, as are waterfalls and zip-line parks. Trips down the Moho and New rivers also reveal native wildlife, just try to plan a boat tour around the rain.
On the sea, there are a number of marine reserves that offer great snorkeling and relaxing island life. The Hol Chan Marine Reserve, near Ambergris Caye, is one of the best. Here you can swim around exotic corals and spot rays, moray eels, groupers, barracudas, and various other marine life. Glover's Reef is another fantastic protected area that's also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
And because afternoons are likely to be drier than mornings and evenings during July, this would be a great time to visit Belize's famous Maya ruins. The biggest site is Caracol, located in the southwest of the country near the border with Guatemala. It covers a whopping 65 sq. miles and is known for its many pyramids, royal tombs, and even ball courts. During its heyday, between 600nand 900 CE, it was a major political center of the Maya Classic Period.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
What to Do
Birding is a great activity during the rainier months in Belize. You can see exotic birds like macaws and toucans at the nature reserves and rivers on the mainland. However, if you want to focus solely on the birds, then head to Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, in the north of the country. This protected wetland is home to water birds like herons, storks, limpkins, and more.
To see as many exotic animals as possible in one place, visit the Belize Zoo. Located just west of Belize City, it's home to an incredible variety of animals, including jaguars, ocelots, spider monkeys, coatis, scarlet macaws, kinkajous, margays, tapirs, and over 100 others. To view more animals in their natural environment, hop on a kayak and head down the Moho River, where you'll likely spot howler monkeys and probably crocodiles.
Spotting exotic wildlife at sea is another popular activity. Hawksbill turtles are out during July, and it's also the start of green sea turtle season, both of which you can see at marine reserves. Head to Lighthouse Reef and you might even get lucky and spot a hammerhead shark or two. Otherwise, you can swim with entire schools of nurse sharks at Shark Ray Alley, in Hol Chan. And if you want to spend time with more gentle giants, take a boat tour around Placencia, off Belize's southern coast, to spot manatees.
Events in July
Lobsterfest (late Jun/early Jul). Early July is a great time to come and enjoy this celebration of Belize's lobster season. There are parties in various places, with a large one being on the central island of Caye Caulker. While not as big as the lobster festival on Ambergris Caye, it's nonetheless a great opportunity to enjoy this delicious crustacean.
Belize International Film Festival (mid-July). This festival, which has been held annually in Belize City since 2003, highlights Central American and Caribbean filmmakers as well as international films.
Traveling to Belize in July? Check out these great itineraries
Rainforest & Reef Exploration in Belize - 7 Days. Discover both sides to Belize in this action-packed week that takes you birding in national parks and snorkeling around the South Water Caye Marine Reserve. In between, hike to waterfalls, ride on a zip-line, and laze near the beach in a hammock.
Discover Belize: Rainforests, Ruins & Reefs - 10 Days. Experience the best of Belize on a 10-day trip that includes highlights on both land and sea. It begins with wildlife spotting around an eco-lodge in the rainforest. You'll then embark on river trips, visit Maya ruins, and spend time in an indigenous village. The journey culminates with a few days of enjoying water sports at Glover's Reef Atoll.
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