Belize In July: Rainy Weather & Lobster Festival

What’s it really like in Belize in July? You’ve probably Googled everything but still haven’t found what it actually feels like to visit during this time.

I’ve lived in Belize most of my life, so I’ll share exactly what to expect in terms of weather and what's open. My tips come from real experience and local updates — not just a one-time visit.

Let’s get this out of the way: it’s hot. But July nights often bring cooling rains that help balance the heat. One of the best reasons to visit this month is Lobster Festival, the official start of lobster season.

Most inland and marine activities are still running, unless there’s flooding or stormy winds. In fact, this is one of the most beautiful times to visit, with the early rainy season bringing the landscapes to life.

Here’s the lowdown on how to enjoy Belize in July.

Weather Highlights

Despite the belief that the rainy/hurricane season runs from June to November, the truth is it starts relatively late — think more like August or September. Sure, there are sometimes storms at the beginning of the rainy season, but they’re usually temporary.

Being a local, I can tell you that weather changes a lot, but it's definitely always hot in July. The only cool months are normally December & January.

Pros & Cons Of Visiting July

What July Is Actually Like

Lobster Festival

There are a few local festivals celebrated in July, and they all involve lobsters. In fact, the top 3 festivals are all lobster festivals in different locations.

Caye Caulker, San Pedro and Placencia all celebrate a lobster festival. All the festivals showcase local culture, live music, and of course, good food. Normally, a weekend in July is reserved to celebrate each of the locations.

Which Festival To Visit?

Each festival is kinda geared towards a certain style. Caye Caulker I would say is better for the younger crowd which makes it a bit more popular.

Placencia being more of family friendly place is precisely for that crowd. And San Pedro is a mix of both worlds.

Personally, I would rank Caye Caulker as the number one festival followed by San Pedro and then Placencia.

To find out which event is better for your style, you can visit each festival's Facebook Page to see what each festival has in their lineup.

• Caye Caulker Lobster Fest
• Placencia Lobster Fest
• San Pedro Lobster Fest

Lobster Dishes

If you're in it for the food, lobster fest will have lots of interesting options. Here are some of the best ways Belizeans enjoy their lobster:

Things To Do In July

Don't be put off by the start of the rainy season. There are plenty of things to do that are perfect for July. Because it’s the start of the rainy season, rivers start flowing more — so river activities are perfect for July.

1. Rainforest Activities - the forest is also much greener in July, since it marks the start of the rainy season. Most of the trails are booming in life during this period.
2. Water Activities - reef and beach activities are mostly unaffected in July as well unless there are thunderstorms that increase wind and make the sea travel dangerous.

Mosquitos & Sand Flies

It would be unfair for me not to mention mosquitos and sand flies. Depending on where you decide to vacation, these critters can be an annoyance.

If you plan to stay in the jungle, bring mosquito repellent. Resorts and boutique lodges usually provide it, but it’s good to have your own just in case.

And if you haven't heard of sand flies, they are tiny little blood sucking flies found in sandy areas. So you'll need to keep repellent if you're by the beach as well. Placencia and Southern Belize are notorious for sand flies.

Sargassum In July

July normally has a sargassum problem which is managed by the local village and town councils. The locals actually volunteer their time to get the islands cleaned up.

The local business community donates drinks & food for the cleanup. Yes, it sucks, and it smells bad, but this issue plagues the entire Caribbean coast — some more than others. You can follow the Sargassum Forecast by the National Meteorological Service of Belize

Final Thoughts

July is a great time to visit Belize, since it’s just the start of the rainy season. Just be aware that there’s always a small chance of thunderstorms or hurricanes during this time, so plan accordingly.

Also, don't forget with rain comes mosquitos. Bring some repellent if you plan to visit the forest or stay near the beach.

The weather will be mostly hot during this time so prepare for the high humidity and have some reef-safe sunscreen.

About Author

Everything written on this blog is based on first-hand experience or knowledge as a local living in Belize. No fluff, just honest information.