We are going to Ambergris Caye in February. We are trying to decide if AC is really a luxury or a necessity when renting a home on the island. Is the heat and humidity at this time of the year a real issue, can windows be opened at night to cool down in the evenings? I know such a mainlander question!

Did you know you could see the sun and the moon in the sky both at the same time, when youre on Ambergris.

Where are you staying? That makes a big difference as to how the home is situation and where it is.

I dont know if anyone can give you an exact answer because it depends on several things. However here are my thoughts.

We went down to Ambergris Caye and used the AC for the first few nights because it was sticky and it was available. Plus it was January and we are from MN so we were not used to the heat/ humidity. Then we opened the windows and shut off the AC as the breeze was sufficient to cool the room. This also made it more relaxing (for me at least) as you could hear the outside sounds vs the drone of the AC.

I am sure there are some places that may not be as comfortable to sleep in with just the windows open. So as Canam mentioned the location you plan to stay matters. If you have a place in mind try reading any reviews you can find on third party sites and see if anyone mentions the window vs AC issue.

I've been in February/March twice and did not need to use the AC. In July we used it every night in the bedroom only. As long as you have the sea breeze it is wonderful.

I have to have AC in the day, at night it doesn't really matter.

Nothing matters at night

We are planning on renting a house on the South end water front, Casa Dam. The house has not been a rental for long. I could not find any reviews on the home.

I live in Oregon and do not have AC. There are only a few nights out of the year when it would be nice, but a person can make it with fans. Have no plans on being in the house during the day. And evenings we all like to be outdoors. Just concerned about sleeping.

Cannot wait to get down there to spend as much time as I can underwater!

Naturally people who come from cooler dryer climates tend to use the AC more and at cooler temps than people who live here.
I live on the island and turn off the AC at the end of November and do not use it again until the end of March/April, but then again, I find 80 degrees cool.

Thank you all for your feedback! Have a wonderful rest of the day.

Dollipop, it is also going to depend on how secure you feel, leaving windows open while you sleep. You may find that you sleep better with the windows and doors locked up, and then have AC on low, if need be.

All depends on the houses location Dollipop. A house might get great breeze and have the house just next door might get none bc of some breeze blockage. A/C is nice to have some nights.

When I do use the AC I set it at 76 - that way I still don't need a cover. Many of my neighbors who's units are vacant much of the time leave their AC's set at 80 or 82 full time. This keeps the moister out and the air smelling fresh.

Harriette, we keep ours at 78 when we are gone and my power bill very seldom exceeds $150.00 BZ and it eliminates the musty smell you get if your place is all closed up.

It's been my experience that a person newly arrived on the island may not have the same tolerances as those of you that live on the island. As for myself, when I first arrive, I almost always have to have the AC on at least for a few days, until I've acclimatized, and then depending on the weather, I can start to let the breeze cool off my place, more often than not. I don't generally sleep with the windows open because I don't want any uninvited guests during the night, no matter how low that possibility may be. Even if no two-legged uninvited visitors come by, there may still be mozzies.

78 degrees and only $150 BZD per month? You either live in a shoebox or a space with no windows located in the center core of a building with units in front, behind, above and below you? You are talking Celsius right?

I can't believe that your BEL bill is that low in say August and September even without anyone in the unit.

Our unit is 800+ sq.ft., bottom floor in a two story complex. Yes, there is a unit on each side of us and one above. We have four windows to the back, one window and a slider in front. We have a split A/C unit and a window unit. We run the split unit 24/7 at 78 fahrenheit when we are not there. I just checked my last bill and it was $190.00BZ...I guess I understated a little when I said it is usually around $150.00 BZ

We are down for about two months a year. We have a bedroom that we leavre the door closed at all times and we do not use the A/C in the day. It works fine for us to turn the A/C donw to 78 degrees during the night but I (Canadian) would have a hard time sleeping otherwise.

Sorry, that should have read THREE months a year and not two.

I have my A/C on right now and am sitting right next to it. Very hot!!!

Jason, pop a cold Belikin.....or two

I might need to do that Al. I see you are coming in town soon. Have a safe flight and I will see you when you get here. No more island perk though...

Yeah, I'm sure going to miss the "perk".....did Colleen just decide to retire and not pursue another Perk?

She said she is going to start it again in a different location sometime soon. Can't wait!

Best wait until someone in town has enough money to buy a cup of coffee.

I'm from high and dry Denver and I usually come down in January. The humidity and temps during the day are enough to make me sweat and ceiling fans just don't do it for me at night. Also our windows don't get the direct NE Breeze. Like others have stated during the week I use the AC less and less as I get acclimated to the island weather but it's sure nice to have available.

Too true Jesse.....too true.