Belize Tours

Like most of Central America, Belize has a subtropical climate characterised by both a dry and a wet season. The dry season runs from December to April, and this is when the weather is at its best — think bright, sunny days with brilliant blue skies and warm temperatures. Diving, birding, swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing are all at their best at this time of year, and it’s also the best time to visit the ruins dotted about the country. The shoulder seasons of November and May mean fewer crowds and lower prices, though you may have a bit of rain here and there. June to October is the wet season, when hurricanes are a risk though prices will be at their lowest.

The dry season (December to April) here brings bright, sunny days with temperatures ranging from highs of 28°C (82.4°F) and lows of 22°C (71.6°F). Expect little to no rain, plenty of sun and cooling trade winds making temperatures pleasant. The wet season (June to October) brings hot and humid conditions — temperatures reach highs of 33°C (91.4°F) — and plenty of rain. The most rain tends to fall in September and October, where it can reach highs of 254mm (10 inches). This is also hurricane season, and Belize can often experience these, so it pays to be prepared.

Tipping is fairly common across Latin America, especially in restaurants and bars where 10% is added to the bill. Of course, if you’ve enjoyed a particular other service, then you’re more than welcome to tip\! There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from USD $5-10 USD per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your CEO for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Plus, at the end of each trip if you felt your G Adventures CEO did an outstanding job, tipping is more than appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline USD $5-7 per person, per day can be used.

Internet access is good in Belize, and you’ll find Wi-Fi in most restaurants, hostels, hotels, bars and in some public spaces too. Expect it to be fairly good in most places, but in rural areas expect it may be more limited.

While ATMs are widely available in towns and cities, they may not be available in rural areas, and there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work here. Credit cards and debit cards are very useful for cash advances, and Visa, Mastercard, Plus and Cirrus cards tend to be accepted by most. You may be charged a fee to withdraw money — check with your bank before you travel to find out how much. You should be aware that to purchase products or services on a credit card a fee of 5%-10% usually applies. Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money — bring USD in cash too, which can easily be exchanged. As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: [www.xe.com](http://www.xe.com).

Even though it’s now legal to be LGBTQ+ in Belize, you should be aware that it’s a conservative and religious place where public displays of affection tend to be frowned upon. Be discreet. As part of their commitment, all CEOs receive LGBTQ+ inclusion training so every traveller feels respected and welcomed on all of our tours. We commit to making our tours a safe and inclusive place for people to express their authentic selves without judgement, free from any discriminatory language or harassment. While travelling with G Adventures, all travellers must treat each other with dignity and respect to create an environment that is positive, safe, and where everyone feels welcome. You can find out more via our [LGBTQ+ travel page](https://www.gadventures.com/about-us/lgbtq-travel/).

Unlike other countries in Central America, the official language of Belize is English — Spanish is the second most widely-spoken language. You’ll also hear plenty of Belizean Creole here, as well as various Mayan languages, Garifuna and German dialects too.

The tap water in Belize City and some of the islands is technically safe to drink. However, you probably wouldn’t want to as it’s heavily-chlorinated — bottled water is probably the best way to go here as it’s cheap and readily available. Please note however that all drinks provided on our tours are safe to drink (including drinks with ice), as well as the water in most hotels and restaurants visited on tour. If in doubt, please ask your CEO for further info.

Most visits to Belize are safe. However, it should be noted that there are fairly high levels of crime here — particularly within the capital Belize City. You should be wary of pickpockets and also avoid walking at night if you’re passing through here — grab a taxi instead. You should also be aware that hurricanes often make landfall here during the months of July through October. Take heed of local warnings. G Adventures takes all reasonable measures to ensure your safety and enjoyment while travelling with us. All of the included activities are properly vetted and regularly checked by us, and we take great care in choosing the right transportation, stays throughout your trip, and guides to lead your tour. However, there are always inherent risks when travelling — you can find out more via our [travel safety page](https://www.gadventures.com/travel-resources/safety/).