Ambergris Caye best: Excellent
Largest island, close to the reef and the Hol Chan marine reserve.
Large barrier island in the north
Vitamin D in Belize: best months for sun and a travel guide
The best months for vitamin D in Belize are January to May. In May, a full dose of about 1,000 IU takes around 6 minutes at midday for skin type III at age 30, with 9.0 usable sun hours a day. For a beach stay it is rainy or stormy from June to December.
Belize month by month
Belize is rated at its median coastal place, for skin type III at age 30. Click a month for the details.
| Month | Rating | Sun window | Peak UV | Full dose, age 30 | Full dose, age 65 | Afternoon high | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 7.0 h | 6.6 | 8 min | 15 min | 27°C | 12/30 |
| February | Excellent | 7.5 h | 7.5 | 7 min | 13 min | 27°C | 7/30 |
| March | Excellent | 8.2 h | 8.5 | 6 min | 12 min | 27°C | 8/30 |
| April | Excellent | 8.8 h | 8.9 | 6 min | 11 min | 28°C | 7/30 |
| May | Excellent | 9.0 h | 8.9 | 6 min | 11 min | 29°C | 0/30 |
| June | Bad weather | 7.5 h | 7.1 | 8 min | 14 min | 30°C | 24/30 |
| July | Bad weather | 8.4 h | 8.0 | 7 min | 13 min | 30°C | 24/30 |
| August | Bad weather | 8.4 h | 8.3 | 6 min | 12 min | 30°C | 23/30 |
| September | Bad weather | 8.1 h | 8.3 | 6 min | 12 min | 30°C | 23/30 |
| October | Bad weather | 6.7 h | 7.0 | 8 min | 14 min | 29°C | 27/30 |
| November | Bad weather | 6.5 h | 6.4 | 8 min | 16 min | 28°C | 19/30 |
| December | Bad weather | 6.0 h | 5.7 | 9 min | 18 min | 28°C | 23/30 |
Sun window is the number of hours a day with UV Index 2.5 or higher. Full dose is the minutes at midday for about 1,000 IU of vitamin D with a quarter of the body bare, for skin type III. Rainy days are days with at least 1 mm out of 30.
Travel guide: why go to Belize
Why go
Belize has the largest barrier reef in the Northern Hemisphere, easy English, jungle ruins and a very relaxed pace.
Best for
Divers, snorkellers, couples and nature lovers.
What to expect
A dry season from December to April and a wetter, stormy season from June to November. Beaches are modest, with the draw being the reef and the cayes.
Places in Belize
Each place has its own climate, so its best months can differ from the country as a whole.
San Pedro Town best: Excellent
Sandy-streeted main town of Ambergris Caye.
Caye Caulker best: Excellent
"Go slow" island of sandy lanes and snorkelling.
Smaller barrier island in the north
Placencia best: Excellent
Sandy-peninsula village for whale shark trips.
Belize City best: Excellent
Main port city, mostly a gateway.
Belize's largest city, on the Caribbean Sea
Great Blue Hole best: Excellent
Giant marine sinkhole, a legendary dive.
Some short descriptions come from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Questions about vitamin D in Belize
When is the best time to visit Belize for vitamin D?
The best months for vitamin D in Belize are January to May. In May, a full dose of about 1,000 IU takes around 6 minutes at midday for skin type III at age 30, with 9.0 usable sun hours a day.
Can you get vitamin D from the sun in Belize in December?
Yes, but slowly. In December a full dose takes about 9 minutes at midday for skin type III at age 30, with 6.0 usable hours a day.
How long do I need in the sun in Belize?
In May, the best month, about 6 minutes at midday with a quarter of the body bare, for skin type III at age 30; about 11 minutes at age 65. Darker skin needs longer and fair skin burns sooner, so keep sessions short. This is an estimate for planning, not medical advice.
Which months should I avoid in Belize?
For a beach stay, avoid the months when it is rainy or stormy from June to December.
What is the best place in Belize for vitamin D?
In May the strongest sun of the places we rate is around Ambergris Caye. Each place has its own rating, so open the place list to compare them.
Plan by month
- Jan Good
- Feb Excellent
- Mar Excellent
- Apr Excellent
- May Excellent
- Jun Bad weather
- Jul Bad weather
- Aug Bad weather
- Sep Bad weather
- Oct Bad weather
- Nov Bad weather
- Dec Bad weather