Yea I know I just got back and am now looking to go back! I need to know what tempetures are like around Christmas time? Can we still swim in the ocean or are the water temps too cold? Hows the fishing? Thanks in advance. ED

Christmas time is great, no problem with swimming/snorkeling. Having said that, of course a northerner could blow in, but will blow on thru quickly.

I visited AC in early December 2001 and it was great. A bit cooler and very comfortable. It did rain most evenings and I remember getting caught in a huge down pour my last night riding back to the hotel in my golf cart. I was so drenched that I had to have the housekeepers put my dress in the dryer before I could pack it in the suitcase the next day.

The water was wonderful - went on a snorkel trip with Alphonse (highly recommend him). San Pedro was decorating for Christmas and had lights strung crisscross on Front street and a bit tree at the square. It was a real treat to be there, rain and all!

Like anywhere else in the world, Belize travel is a gamble. The longer you stay, the better chances you have of finding what you want, some days it does rain. We were there 19 days Feb/Mar, the sky was beautiful but the sea was often times rough. We didn't dive nearly as much as usual. Think of it this way, no matter what, rain or not, it has to be better than being North in the winter. Have a great trip.

I was there late Dec. early Jan. 2001.
Few showers, and got soaking wet on a boat trip back from Caye Caulker, but nothing like Jackie had for weather.

I will still go back in Dec, the weather does not bother me, I just love it there,I really dont think that snow would bother me on the island, well maybe, just a little though.

Jackie

yeah, you pay your quarters and take your chances with vacations, you just have to make your own good times when the weather isn't cooperative.

Hey, wait a minute Jackie....now I went on tours in the rain.......just made it all the more 'interesting' don't you think ; 0 ).
Yes, it did rain most the time this last Dec/Jan but it was still swimsuit/shorts weather except a few times in the evening when it did get a little chilly. I think there was more rain those days than I've ever seen during rainy season, but it's all in how you look at it. I believe that much rain for that long was a rarity due to a cold front over Florida or so the locals told me but you can't control the weather so you just have to go with the flow.
I've thought the sea was a little chilly in May and in November at times and one day I went on a snorkling trip this Jan and it was warmer in the water than it was outside.

I know!!! I know that you had fun,funny thing though I remember going to the Lion Clinic two days later, gee, that is what I thought.
I was an experience, so glad I missed out.

Jackie

After 3 years in a row from mid-Dec into early Jan., I can say that I won't be going back during that period of time for a while.

Xmas/New Year 2000-2001, cold and rainy most days. Diving was OK but surface intervals were brutal. I didn't have warm enough clothes with me for evenings and some days. A couple of days I even had to reassure myself that hurricane season was over. Poured rain New Years Eve.

Xmas/New Year 2001-2002, weather wasn't too bad most days but there was still a little rain and a couple of cooler periods. If it was always like that, I'd be willing to take my chances.

Xmas/New Year 2002-2003, not as cold as 2000 but still cool and rainy most days. Diving was disappointing due to viz being stirred up, water was cool and surface intervals were brutal. Sure 73 degrees seems warm compared to the weather at home but I don't go away at that time for only 73 degrees. I go away for 82-85 degrees. 73 is fricken cold, especially if you've been diving for a number of days.

So, yeah, you could get lucky and have a good period of weather, but based on my experience, you are more likely to encounter a norther and then another and then another.

Jackie, You gotta admit though the Doc/Pharmacist at the clinic was pretty nice and it didn't cost much and the duct tape idea was a pretty good one....; 0

On average there's a cold front passing through Belize on eight days in December (also eight in February and 12 in January). Source: Belize Meteorological Service. January is the coldest month and of course May is the hottest.

To me, winter weather in Belize is similar to that in South Florida -- it is often beautiful but some days can be "chilly" compared to usual sub-tropical weather. In the Pine Ridge it's sometimes fireplace weather and especially when it rains it can be downright cold that time of year.

--Lan Sluder

This year was bloody awful -this includes the months of Dec and Jan -my girlfriend came for 18 days over Xmas and saw the sun twice-apparently the worst weather in 20 years-seriously there may have been 5 days of partial sun in those two months

For once I agree with Pedro

It is all how you look at it, I was there this New Years 2002-03 and was warm and pretty part of the time and toward the end of the trip a Northerner blew in and wind was blowing and still went snorkeling and sailing, bit of ruff water but greatly enjoyed it. May not be the 80's and 80's water but better than you would ever get at home in winter even here in the deeeeeep South. Just go to Belize whenever you can and enjoy whatever the weather. :p

KBG is right and said the part I left out.

I still had a wonderful time in San Pedro and if my only choice of time to go was at Christmas, then that is when I would go and I wouldn't think twice about it.

And for the record, I went swimming in the ocean, not just diving when I was there at Xmas too. Sure I didn't go on the cloudy days, but the sun did shine a bunch of days in the middle of the month and again IIRC between Xmas and New Years.

The island is beautiful no matter what time of year you go. Nobody could ever predict it, I mean look at this year, it is still snowing in April. I would not let the weather be a factor in my decision making at all. Plan your trip and have fun!!! You will still be able to do alot, if it does happen to rain, it may not last very long. Like I said before, I would not care if it snowed.

Plus, it is also nice to see Christmas in another country. The streets all decorated and midnight mass was very nice also. New Years even in town was also, really different, I think everyone was there, the whole island, packed into town,just beautiful.

I also came home with good tan!!!

So not weather complaints from me. I would do it all over again.

Jackie

Right on Jackie . . .um . . .well, I might care if it *snowed*. :p

You know, I totally understand if you are going on a vacation to a tropical climate to get away from the cold and snow and you want the weather to be great but it can't be controlled and if you wait for it to be perfect you might 1. miss some great stuff ( especially culturally during the holidays) or 2. never end up going anywhere. I've been to many of the islands at different times of the year and although the water is usually warm and the weather great I can't count on some sort of chilly current not coming through or it being 80 degrees every day.Coming from Washington I learned a long time ago if I waited for the weather to be decent all the time I would never do anything outdoors because on the coast it tends to rain alot and of course it was always on weekends that we wanted to go camping. WE learned fast to bring rain gear etc....and often we didn't need it. On the islands, I learned to bring a light windbreaker type jacket.
My mother always worries when I go to the Caribbean during Hurricane season and I'm always...'if it happens, it happens". As I said above even when/if it does rain in the Caribbean, Belize or wherever it was STILL shorts/swimsuit weather and better than the weather at home...and personally I love swimming or walking in it. It's funny because I will walk a mile or more and get totally drenched when I'm on the island and if it rains here at home I will barely venture outside. Another funny thing is I've seen people complaining about the weather when it rained and the sun could come out an hour later and the same people would be complaining about how hot it was....what really cracks me up is people who will be swimming and it will start raining and they run for cover (not a lightning bolt in sight)

Hi Kathy! Many, many years ago, when we were swimming in Lake Erie, my Dad used to joke about how people would run for cover when it rained. He always said.......they didn't want to get wet. Go figure!!!!

Marie,
Where in did you swim in Lake Erie at?
Jackie

Hi Jackie! In MANY places! My father was quite the traveler, long before I was. Marblehead, Cedar Point, Huron, Vermilion, Mitawanga, Lorain, mostly. He loved water. Upon occasion, we went to the big park right west of Cleveland. Darn, can't think of the name. There was also a place, up close to Toledo, now a state park, that again I can't remember. East something...as I recall. I could check that out. We used to rent a boat out there on Sundays and find a little beach and swim and cook. Mom, on the other hand, was more sedate. But every summer Wednesday she and I hooked up with my Aunts and cousins and went to Lake View Park in Lorain. To this day, when I think of deviled eggs, sand comes into my mind! I grew up on the water, no wonder I love Belize!

I take it you are an Ohioan, too. Good state, and no wonder we want to get the heck out of there in the winter! Yipes!!!!!

I'm from Wellington, originally if you are familar with it. It's nine miles south of Oberlin (where I graduated college in 1980). Most people seem to know Oberlin better than little ole Wellington. Where are you from? Just another gringo Ohioan in Belize!

Hello Marie,
The one west of Cleveland that you probably went to was Edgewater Park, that is the only one,if it was in Cleveland. Yes, I know where Wellington is. I am right in the heart of Cleveland, about 5 minutes from downtown.
I personally do not like Cleveland. The weather, the prejudice people and it is just way to big.
Sorry DoubleE, did not mean to change the post subject, but it happens.
Go to Belize in December, you will enjoy Christmas!!!

Jackie

You know, perhaps another point to remember when receiving an answer to this question is that one's perception of "chilly" or "cold" may not be another persons. I've been in Tucson when it was 75 degrees and was wearing tank top and shorts and the "locals" were wearing long pants and jackets.

Hi Jackie! That's it, Edgewater Park. Are you a born Ohioan or a transplant? Sounds like you need a good dose of Caribbean! Don't we all! This has been a miserable winter! Try Lozada's on West 25th, about 7 doors from the West Side Market. It's not Belizean, but it is Puerto Rican, so a taste of the Caribbean, at the least! Or come to my summer party in August, and I will remember to add to the menu a great curry I learned about on AC! Well, now wait, that might be a little hot for an Ohio August, but, I'm game if you are!

Born and Raised in the heart of Cleveland. Right off West 14th. I have seen that place. I think, I will try it for sure, now.

You are still in Wellington, I am guessing??

August hot, it is never to hot for me, I am a freeze baby!!! I usually go to AC in August. Like Kathy said, I would be the local in the jacket,pants and long sleeve shirt. I was probably the only person in AC last year, that did not have on there a/c.

So, really, I am not one to comment on weather,either. It is freezing today, I really wish that it would stop already!!!! I HAVE HAD ENOUGH !!!!Okay, I am ready to go, for real.

Jackie

hey jackie/Marie -

I'm a transplanted Buckeye too.....spent lots of time in my high school years summering up on Catawba Island playing in the waters of LE, running the boat over to South Bass, Middle Bass, Mouse Isl, Kelleys Isl, Cedar Point....... and as well as hitting the fairs at Wellington & Berea......ahhhhhhh memories...fun but not as much as we have on AC for sure!

Berea fair used to be the best, I just could not wait !!!

I have only been to the islands once my sister and her family have a trailer on Marblehead,been there only once, also.

When I think of islands, I think of Caribbean, not OHIO. Sorry.

jackie

Don't be sorry ( or mad when i make this next comment). When people ask nme where I am from (originally), I say OH it's a great place to be FROM

No not sorry or mad, to each his own. I just kind of wish that when my grandparents came over on the boat, they would have stayed in NY, go figure, I like NY. But, with the only industry hiring at the time, steel, I guess they did not have a choice, if they wanted to survive.
My whole family loves it here, so I guess out of the five of us, one is not bad.

I wish I could enjoy saying I was from Cleveland,the mistake on the lake.
Jackie