Country Guide

Belize is one of the smaller countries of Central America. Its weather and climate are described in more detail in the guide for Panama.

It is situated between 16° and 18° N and is bordered by Guatemala on the south and west and by Mexico on the north. It has a long coastline on the Caribbean Sea. A large part of the country is low-lying so that it has weather and climate typical of the tierra caliente, except in the southwest where some hills rise to over 1,200 m/3,800 ft.

Annual rainfall is rather heavy on the coast and, although there is a wetter season between May and November, some rain occurs throughout the year.

The country is occasionally affected by very heavy rains brought by tropical storms or hurricanes which can cause severe damage to both dwellings and crops. The weather is rather hot and humid throughout the year.