The Popular Caribbean Destination That's Even More Gorgeous In The Fall

Belize is a gorgeous destination in Central America any time of year, but it's especially welcoming during the autumn months. Since it's not quite the high season yet and saturated with winter crowds, you can expect fewer tourists and major savings on accommodations and tours. The temperatures are more comfortable than summertime, hovering around the mid-80s. While June through November marks the "rainy season" in Belize, showers don't typically stick around for long periods during the day. If there is a storm, it'll likely be at night as you're dozing off to sleep.

With the rainy season in motion, the lush greenery will be at its peak, and the rainforest will look as inviting as ever. The fruit trees will be in full bloom, beckoning wildlife like cheeky monkeys and peccaries to come and take a bite — a delight for wildlife spotters who love exotic critters. Autumn is also the best time of year for bird watchers, as many migratory species fly south for the winter. With 600 bird species in Belize, like toucans, storks, and macaws, it's no wonder the annual Belize Birding Festival also occurs during the fall. In general, autumn is jam-packed with events, perfect for interacting with the locals without the usual tourist crowd and getting an authentic taste of real Belize.

September, in particular, is a lively month. The action starts with Carnival in early September, like the celebrations in Trinidad and Tobago and Brazil. Each year, on September 10, there's a parade to commemorate the 1798 Battle of St. George's Caye, a defining moment in Belize's history and settlement. From there, picture 11 days of parties and concerts before the biggest event on September 21: Belize Independence Day, which honors the country's separation from British rule. Parades, bands, costumes, dancing, and traditional foods are displayed in a sea of Belizean flags.

In October, the fun continues with the World Indigenous Music Festival, a three-day celebration with performances, arts and crafts, and delicious eats. Speaking of food, October marks the queen conch season, as fishermen are barred from catching them during other times of the year. This crustacean is featured in myriad local dishes, from conch soup to fritters. It's also peak lobster season, so you'll feast on plenty of lobster stew and ceviche to boot.

Come November, Belizeans celebrate Garifuna Settlement Day to honor residents of West African and indigenous Arawak heritage, together known as the Garifuna people. Four hundred years ago, their ancestors were forced to work on plantations in the Caribbean until they rose against the British and escaped to Belize. Every year on November 19, the locals re-enact their arrival in Belize with traditional drumming, intricate face masks, and plenty of dancing. If you haven't figured it out by now, Belizieans love a good party.

Of course, we can't talk about Belize without mentioning the gorgeous natural surroundings. Before you jet off to one of the nearby islands, visit the ancient Mayan ruins on the mainland. From Orange Walk, you can take a riverboat to Lamanai, a site that was once occupied continuously for 3,000 years before the Europeans took over. This preserve is special because visitors are actually allowed to climb to the top of one of the pyramids, where you'll enjoy sweeping views of the grounds and the jungle for miles while listening to howler monkeys and tropical birds in the canopy.

For ocean enthusiasts, Belize is nothing short of a playground. With up to 100 feet of visibility, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley are great places for snorkeling. These waters boast 160 species of fish and 40 species of coral, along with sea turtles, nurse sharks, stingrays, and dolphins. If you're a diver, don't skip the Great Blue Hole, a massive underwater sinkhole (the largest in the world) that spans 1,000 feet across and 400 feet deep. As you descend into its depths, you'll find an array of sharks among the stalactites, including reef sharks and black tips. If you're lucky, you might even dive with hammerhead sharks or bull sharks. After a long day at sea, grab a hammock on the shore and round out your evening with a glass of the official Belizean beer, Belikin. If this isn't paradise, we don't know what it is.