belize in january

Yes. January has warm days, the coolest nights of the year, no hurricane risk and beaches that are usually free of sargassum. The trade-offs are high-season prices and the occasional cold front, which brings a day or two of wind and showers. Mid to late January is quieter and often cheaper than the Christmas and New Year weeks.

Warm and mostly sunny, with highs around 82°F (28°C). The international airport station averages 10 rain days and about 141 mm of rain in January, according to the National Meteorological Service's 1991 to 2020 averages. Cold fronts from the north bring short spells of wind, cloud and showers.

Average highs are about 82 to 85°F (28 to 30°C) across the country. Average lows are about 69°F (21°C) on the coast and 64 to 66°F (18 to 19°C) inland, in the north and in the far south. January is the coolest month of the year at every National Meteorological Service station.

Less than in December and more than in February. The airport station averages 10 rain days in January, against 12 in December and 6 in February. The north around Orange Walk is the driest part of the country, with about 65 mm for the month, and the far south around Punta Gorda is the wettest, with about 171 mm.

Yes. The sea stays warm enough to swim and snorkel all month. The exception is a cold-front day, when wind makes the water choppy and boat trips rougher or cancelled.

Summer clothes and a swimsuit for the day, a light sweater or long sleeves for cool evenings and boat rides, a rain jacket for cold fronts, closed shoes for ruins and trails, plus reef-safe sunscreen and insect repellent.

The first week is, because it is part of the Christmas and New Year peak. After that January is busy but manageable: it is high season, so popular hotels and the ATM Cave still need booking ahead, but you will find more availability and better rates than in late December.

February is drier and calmer: the airport station averages 6 rain days and about 65 mm, against 10 days and 141 mm in January, and cold fronts become less frequent. January is slightly cooler and, after the first week, can be a little cheaper. For reef trips, February is the safer choice. For ruins, caves and jungle, either month works well.

Usually very little. Sargassum season peaks from late spring to early fall. December through March is the clearest stretch of the year for the beaches on San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Placencia and Hopkins.

No. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, so January falls well outside it.

Maaga season, pronounced maa-gaa, is what Belizeans call January. Maaga basically means thin: people spent their money on the Christmas and New Year holidays, so January is the month of recovery. For Belizeans it is a quiet time for family, rest and making plans for the year.

New Year's Day on January 1 and George Price Day on January 15. Banks and government offices close on both days, and some businesses and tours do too.