Geography and Climate
This is the place to start if you are planning to live in Belize, the second smallest and least populated country in Central America. About the size of Massachusetts, it is situated on the Caribbean coast of Central America with Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south. The terrain is low and flat along coastal areas and in some northern regions of the country. The central and southern regions have low mountains that gradually rise to over 3,500 feet.
Belize’s capital is Belmopan and the country is divided into six distinct districts: Corozal, Orange Walk, Belize, Cayo, Stann Creek and Toledo.
Corozal and Orange Walk districts in the northern part of Belize hold about 27 percent of the country’s population. These districts feature Mayan archaeological sites and the natural beauty found in the northern jungles, rainforests and lagoons. Bordering both Mexico and Guatemala, they have more of a Spanish feel. About 70 percent of the country’s Mennonite population lives in northern Belize.
The Belize and Cayo districts in central Belize are known for majestic Mayan sites, dense jungle, towering waterfalls and mysterious caves. The Belize district, which also includes Ambergris Caye, has the largest concentration of expats in Belize.
Belize City is the country’s largest city and is best known as the cultural and business center of Belize. It is a jumping off point to the country’s other areas and attractions, but is also a tourist destination itself, with colonial architecture, good shopping and fine dining. The country’s international airport is located there as well as its largest port.
The Stann Creek and Toledo districts, known for mangrove-fringed lagoons, coral-studded cayes, jungle rivers, rainforests and Mayan ruins, occupy the southern portion of Belize.
U.S. Central Standard Time is used year-round. No daylight saving time is observed.
Belize’s tropical climate is characterized by rainy and dry seasons. The dry season is from November to May and divided between a cool November to February transition period and a warm and dry March through May period. March is the driest month of the year. Most of the nearly 60 inches of rain in the north and 160 inches in the south falls between June and November, with a brief reprieve in August referred to locally as the “Mauga.”
Belize is warm all year with coastal high temperatures that average 86 F with average lows of 72 F. Saltwater temperatures range between 75 F and 84 F. Temperatures heat up a bit inland with average highs of 88 F and lows of 69 F. It’s a bit cooler in the mountain regions with average highs of 77 F and lows of 64 F. January is the coldest month and May the warmest.
The country also is in the hurricane belt. September and October are the two most likely months. In 2010, Hurricane Richard caused power outages in 65 percent of the country and major damage in the district of Cayo.
Earthquakes also occur in Belize. The most recent event was a 7.1 magnitude quake in 2009 off the coast of Belize and Honduras.