The best time to go to Belize depends on your priorities:  places visited, weather, availability, preferred activities, local seasonality, wildlife activity.

• The best weather in Belize in general is during the dry season Dec-May, mostly dry with temperatures of around 30°C. It can be refreshingly cool in the highlands in winter, while the tropical rainforest areas are hot and sultry all year – just like a jungle ought to be!

• The best time for wildlife-watching is Belize is actually all year round – cats, monkeys, reptiles. You can snorkel with whale-sharks in Placencia Apr-May, while turtle-viewing takes place in May-Oct.

• This tiny country is both a laid-back and a lively place. When deciding when it is best to go to Belize, you may like to consider one or two of its festivals: Belize Carnival, (Feb/Mar). with vibrant celebrations especially in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye; Belize Independence Day is celebrated throughout the country on  21 Sep with parades, processions and parties.

• Those interested in cultural history shouldn’t miss Garifuna Settlement Day, Dangriga, 19 Nov. With parades, live music, drumming, dancing, and prayers in celebration of the first Garifuna Afro-Caribbean settlers.

• And gourmets will find the best time to visit Belize is during lobster season:  Jun-Jul, with lobster on offer in all its forms, with drinking and partying. For chocolate lovers, Belize's annual Chocolate Festival takes places in Punta Gorda in May.