Things to Do in Belmopan in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Belmopan
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
83°F (28°C)
High Temp
67°F (19°C)
Low Temp
5.3 inches (135 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December gives you the year's driest window, only 10 afternoons of brief showers, so jungle tracks stay solid and caves stay open.
- + The rain break knocks mosquito numbers down. You can watch sunset at Belmopan's Guanacaste Park without feeding the swarm.
- + Once the diplomats fly out after the first week, Ring Road hotels cut rates; mid-month rooms open up and cost less.
- + Weekend food fairs pop up in the market square, villagers from Teakettle and Armenia roll out pibil chicken smoked in banana leaves, a December-only treat.
Considerations
- − Trade-wind fronts sometimes stall over the Maya Mountains and lock the city under low cloud for 2, 3 days, slot an indoor back-up.
- − The UV index hits 8; without a hat your scalp burns in 20 minutes on the plaza's bare concrete.
- − Hydro output dips in the dry spell, so Belmopan leans on diesel generators, expect short evening power blips.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Belmopan in December has a distinct shift in the tropical rhythm. The city, the capital of Belize, moves to a drier cadence compared to the preceding wet months, as the climate table shows rainfall dropping to match the levels of January. You will feel the air become less heavy, a welcome change that draws residents outdoors to the parks and public plazas. This is not a month of major festivals in Belmopan. But rather one of steady, pleasant routine where the pace of life feels measured and the greenery from the recent rains remains intensely lush. Visiting Belmopan now means engaging with a functional administrative heart, a planned city where the real adventure lies in using it as a way into the country's profound natural and ancient wonders. The search for things to do in Belize in December often leads travelers through Belmopan, a strategic hub less than an hour's drive from some of the nation's most significant Maya sites and jungle rivers. While you will find the local restaurants serving steady Creole and Mestizo fare, the most memorable experiences involve journeys that start here and plunge into the surrounding landscape. You will hear the chatter of tropical birds in the pine ridge, see the deep green canopy of the rainforest, and smell the rich, damp earth of cave systems. This is a time for exploration under reliably clear skies, with the comfort of knowing the afternoon downpours that define other seasons are far less frequent.
Bamboo Art Class San Pedro Belize
otherWhile this Bamboo Art Class is based in San Pedro, it is a craft rooted in Belizean tradition. You will work with local artisans, feeling the smooth, sturdy texture of cured bamboo as you learn to shape it into functional art. The class often fills with the faint, sweet scent of the material being worked and the focused sound of tools against the fibrous stalks.
It connects you to a sustainable material practice that has been part of the region's culture for generations.
Insider tip: Request to work on a piece that incorporates natural Belizean motifs, like the keel-billed toucan or a ceiba tree, for a more distinctive souvenir.
Tikal Full Day with Dedicated Exploration of the Archaeological Monuments.
day_tripThe Tikal Full Day tour is a profound journey across the border into Guatemala, to one of the grandest city-states of the ancient Maya world. You will see the monumental Temple IV rising above the jungle canopy, hear the echoing calls of howler monkeys, and feel the immense scale of the Great Plaza under the open sky.
It has a dedicated, in-depth exploration of architectural wonders that few other sites in the region can match.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy, broken-in hiking shoes, as the site involves significant walking over uneven limestone pathways.
Savor Belize Dinner Food Tour in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
foodThe Savor Belize Dinner Food Tour immerses you in the flavors of San Pedro, where you will taste tangy ceviche made with fresh conch, smoky grilled lobster tail, and rich stewed chicken with rice and beans. You will hear the sizzle from street-side grills and feel the cool evening breeze coming off the Caribbean.
It efficiently introduces the core pillars of Belizean coastal cuisine through guided tastings at several trusted local eateries.
Insider tip: Come very hungry, as the portions across multiple stops are generous and meant to constitute a full meal.
4-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour to Secret Beach, San Pedro, Belize
guided_experienceThis 4-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour to Secret Beach is an adrenaline-fueled way to see the coastline from San Pedro. You will feel the spray of turquoise water, see the distant line of the barrier reef, and eventually arrive at a stretch of sand where the water is so clear you can see your feet.
It combines the thrill of a personal watercraft with the reward of discovering a secluded shoreline only accessible by boat.
Insider tip: Secure a waterproof case for your phone or camera, as the ride across the waves is predictably wet.
Xunantunich Maya Temple and Jungle River Cave Tubing Combo Tour
culturalThe Xunantunich Maya Temple and Jungle River Cave Tubing Combo Tour is a classic Belizean adventure that pairs ancient history with natural wonder. You will climb the towering El Castillo at Xunantunich, seeing intricate stucco friezes, then float through an underground cave system, hearing the drip of water and feeling the cool river current.
It delivers two of the country's signature experiences in a single, well-organized trip from the Belmopan area.
Insider tip: For the cave tubing portion, wear water shoes with a good grip, as you will need to walk over slippery rocks.
Horseback Ride to the Forgotten Jungle City
adventureThe Horseback Ride to the Forgotten Jungle City takes you along trails used by the ancient Maya, through dense forest where you will smell damp foliage and hear the rustle of unseen animals. The ride culminates at the quiet, vine-draped ruins of a lesser-visited site, feeling the quiet weight of history.
It provides access to an overgrown archaeological site that is difficult to reach on foot and has a genuine sense of discovery.
Insider tip: Choose a horse with a calm temperament if you are a novice rider, as some jungle sections can be narrow and steep.
Where to Stay in Belmopan in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Mid December, usually the Saturday before Christmas
Belmopan Christmas Lantern Parade
School kids build coloured paper lanterns the size of beach balls, then march the Ring Road after dark led by a steel-pan truck. Spectators line the median. Vendors ladle hot corn pozole and rum-popo. The parade wraps by 9 pm, handy if you face an early jungle start.
Early December, typically the first full weekend
National Agriculture & Trade Show (NATS)
Held 3 km east of downtown, NATS hauls in farmers from every district to compete in cacao, citrus and cattle classes. A mini-carnival spins chair-o-planes and you can taste cochinita pibil cooked in an earth pit, something you won't find in village kitchens. Arrive before 10 am for the prize-bull judging when dust and diesel mingle with sugar-cane sweetness.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Belmopan Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
City buses to Dangriga and PG leave from the old market, not the new terminal, drivers tie coloured ribbons to the mirror to show destination. Ask which colour you need.
The fastest rice-and-beans is inside the bus depot canteen, open from 5:30 am; look for the lady scooping black recado from a dented stock-pot.
Banks shut at 1 pm on Fridays for Caribbean currency counting, handle cash before lunch or queue until Monday.
December's orange harvest sets up roadside stands along the Hummingbird Highway selling 5-pound bags. Buy early when the fruit is still cool from the night air.
Avoid These Mistakes
Belmopan is not a stroll-friendly capital, sights spread across 6 km of ring road. Plan taxi hops or rent a bike.
Book San Ignacio day-trips for Wednesday. Most tour drivers stop in Belmopan only on Monday, Tuesday and Friday.
Don't ignore the 6 pm mosquito increase in the manicured bush around the National Assembly, spray before evening photos.
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