Top 5 Reasons to Visit Belize in April

April is a great time to visit Belize with ideal weather conditions, local events to experience over Easter and a prime time to explore both the reef and rainforests.

Here are our top 5 reasons why you should visit Belize this spring:

Belize Weather in the Spring

April is traditionally one of Belize’s warmest and driest months. It’s a wonderful time to explore the Belize Barrier Reef, the cayes, patch reefs and sheltered turquoise lagoons of Lighthouse Reef and Glover’s Reef Atoll. The azure waters are generally clear and calm — perfect for kayaking, paddle boarding and snorkeling adventures. April traditionally enjoys highs of 85° F (29° C) and evening lows of 76° F (24° C).

Ideal weather to explore the Belize Barrier Reef

Easter in Belize

For many Belizeans, the Easter holiday long weekend is spent attending religious events, relaxing with family, enjoying the beach and eating traditional foods like hot cross buns.

One of the biggest events taking place over the Easter weekend is the Annual Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic . This is Belize's biggest cycling event on the calendar and has begun to be recognized internationally. Cyclists race from Belize City to the western town of San Ignacio, in the Cayo District, turn there and return to Belize City.

Visit the Ancient Mayan Ruins of Belize

April sees fewer tourists visiting Belize, so this is the perfect time of year to explore the ancient Mayan ruins. Some of the best sites to visit include Lamanai, Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, Caracol and Altun Ha. Read our recommendations on the Must-Visit Archaeological Sites in Belize .

Altun Ha Belize
The Mayan Ruins at Altun Ha, Belize

Stay on a Remote Tropical Island on Lighthouse Reef Atoll

Half Moon Caye is located on the Lighthouse Reef Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also home to the Lighthouse Reef Basecamp , which offers easy access to the world famous Great Blue Hole. Half Moon Caye has crystal clear waters, pristine beaches and world class snorkeling which is easily accessible from the beaches.

This crescent-shaped caye also supports the only viable breeding ground for the red-footed booby colony in the western Caribbean and a littoral forest which is unique to the cayes of Belize.

Though you can visit Lighthouse Reef year-round, the Basecamp on Half Moon Caye only operates from December to the end of April, so spring is the last chance to stay on this remote marine reserve.

Lighthouse Reef Belize
Lighthouse Reef Basecamp on Half Moon Caye

Experience The Magic Of Birding In The Belize Rainforest

If you’re a birder, April is a great time to visit Belize. The Belize Bird Conservancy has their 6th Annual Lodge Bird-a-thon from April 1- April 30, 2018, where you can experience some of the best birding in Central America. This fundraising event raises money for research, conservation and education work for the Belize Bird Conservancy. Last year, several lodges competed to be "the birdiest lodge" including Caves Branch Jungle Lodge , Bocawina Rainforest Resort , Mystic River Resort , Lamanai Outpost Lodge , The Lodge at Chaa Creek , The Farm Inn and Black Rock Lodge .

In 2016, Bocawina Rainforest Resort won the yearly Bird-a-thon contest in Belize, when Bocawina participants managed to identify 202 species breaking the previous record by 11 new species. Some of the rare sightings included band-tailed barbthroat, northern shoveler, scarlet tanager and the spectacled owl.

Bocawina Rainforest Resort & Adventures eco-lodge is a birder’s paradise, right in the heart of the Belizean jungle, where you can enjoy the relaxing sounds of songbirds and nature.

Check out the video on Birdwatching at Bocawina, Cockscomb & Sittee River: