Things to Do in Belmopan in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Belmopan
Long-run averages for December
83°F (28°C)
High Temp
67°F (19°C)
Low Temp
5.3 inches (135 mm)
Rainfall
89%
Humidity
7
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ Very high humidity: stay hydrated and pace yourself
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
Cave-Tubing & Jungle Hike Combos in the Sibun River system
Limestone caves west of town drain to their clearest levels in December. Inner tubes drift over jade pools with no rainy-season push. The trail to the entrance is firm red clay instead of boot-sucking mud, and a 7:30 am start catches sunbeams square on the stalactites.
Booking Tip: Licensed operators collect from most Ring Road hotels. Reserve 3, 4 days ahead in December and ask for helmets with head-lamps, not just hand torches, for the darker chambers.
Belize Community Market & Pepper Sauce Workshops
The Saturday market shrinks in the dry season, but what's left is ultra-local: Maya women ladle hot recado onto fresh corn tortillas and vendors sell December's scarlet habaneros. Some stalls hand you a mortar to grind your own sauce with lime and roasted garlic while the peppers are at their brightest.
Booking Tip: Arrive by 8 am while mist still lifts off the tin roof. No booking required. But bring small bills for tasting tokens.
Mountain Pine Ridge Lookout Cycling Routes
The ridge road 22 km south-east of Belmopan climbs 500 m into pine-scented air, December trade winds hold the temperature at 24°C, so the switchbacks won't roast you. Lookouts open onto the coastal plain, and the descent threads orange groves whose fruit ripens this month.
Booking Tip: Organised rides include hotel bike drop-off; reserve 48 hours ahead and request hybrid tyres, stretches are packed gravel, not asphalt.
Night-Time Croc-Watching Boat Drifts on the Belize River
Low December water lets spotlight beams pick out ruby crocodile eyes without tall grass blocking the banks. Trips push off at dusk when the air cools to 23°C and the river turns mirror-black; you'll hear only frog drums and the slap of an occasional tarpon.
Booking Tip: Small pangas carry six passengers max. Book a day ahead, wear dark clothes to avoid spooking wildlife, and pack a dry-bag for your camera.
Garifuna Drum & Paranda Sessions in nearby Roaring Creek
Villagers rehearse holiday parandas in December, call-and-response songs that braid African rhythms with Spanish lyrics. Sessions start at dusk when heat drops. Drums are carved from local mahogany and the bass thumps feel almost subterranean. Expect to be hauled up to try the circular shuffle.
Booking Tip: The run from Belmopan takes 20 minutes. Have your hotel phone the cultural center by afternoon so they know visitors are coming, donations welcome.
Where to Stay in Belmopan in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
Public Holidays in December
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
Christmas Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Boxing Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Christmas Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Boxing Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Christmas Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Boxing Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
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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