November on Ambergris Caye: All about the Weather, Holidays, Sargassum and More

I am typing this on November 1st and the weather for the last few days has been absolute perfection. The temperatures are starting to cool a bit after the late summer HEAT and humidity. There’s a beautiful north breeze and the beaches are looking fantastic.

But November is a bit of a transition month…the last month of the hurricane season and the last month before the busier “tourism season”. So you never know what you will get…

Best to just start my post! (All photos taken in November 🙂 )

November in Belize & Ambergris Caye

November is here! The super-slow months of September and October feel like they are behind us, the weather is just starting to shift, and things – at least at the end of the month and American Thanksgiving – are waking up for high season. All resorts, restaurants, and tour guides are open for business and locals are gearing up for the holidays ahead.

The anticipation is there but not always the visitors. It doesn’t REALLY start to pick up until the last week of the month. When some folks decide to forget all that cooking and preparation and decide to spend Thanksgiving in Belize.

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Ambergris Caye Weather in November

November is still part of Belize’s rainy season and we’ve had a few BIG rains so far this year but my guess? It’s been a pretty dry year. November is starting to cool off a bit from the sometimes oppressive heat of August, September and October but you can still encounter rain. It’s still the hurricane season (which officially ends on November 30th) and systems/depressions can form off the Central America coast during this time.

For the daily forecast – I always use Windfinder.com.

Average temperatures are in the low- to mid-80s°F during the day. Nights barely cool and tend to be in the mid- to high-70s. Winds tend to be relatively low and we’ll start to see “cold fronts” or north winds as it cools way down to the north of us.

We all – the entire Caribbean and Atlantic – just watched Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica and while it is the end of the season, it’s always smart to keep your eye on NHC for storm information.

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Sargassum in November

2025 has been a horrible year for sargassum – the worst year we’ve seen since it started piling up on our shores just over 10 years ago. Thankfully we’ve seen a PAUSE in October and the beaches are looking pretty good. November tends to be a quieter time for sargassum. The seaweed usually lessens this time of year as currents change in the Hurricane season.

Before 2025, I would have said the “Sargassum Schedule” was influx: Feb to July and then cleaner beaches, August to Jan. Some years better…this year has been worse.

The San Pedro Town Council continues to work in San Pedro town and resorts continue their daily beach cleanups.

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Seafood in November

November is one of those rare months when both lobster and conch are in season.

Lobster season continues through February, and conch season, which opened October 1st, is in full swing. You can enjoy both island favorites—lobster ceviche and buttery grilled tails one night, and conch fritters or chowder the next.

My top conch dishes so far this season have been the Conch Pizza at Truck Stop…garlic, cheese, red pepper flakes and conch…

And the conch soup (a local FAVE) at Sweet Tutz on Back Street in town. Conch soup is creamy like a chowder but not as thick…and it usually has plenty of coconut milk in it. It’s DELICIOUS.

Both lobster and conch are regulated with set seasons to protect the fishery, so this overlap is a treat for seafood lovers.

Let’s bring out the Venn Diagram again for all you (fellow) nerds!

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Quick Travel Tips in November

• Pack a light rain jacket or small umbrella. Showers can still pop up – you may even have a rainy day or two, I like to have a light jacket with me if it looks like rain.
• Bring bug spray. The mosquitoes linger until cooler, drier weather arrives. (My favorite – Sawyer’s – is still not sold on the island, so bring it with you! I SWEAR BY IT) For more bug information, see my recent post.
• Check for hotel specials. November is that sweet spot before high-season pricing kicks in. Contact hotels directly to ask about deals.
• Watch the weather. I check the National Hurricane Center for broader systems and Windfinder for daily island forecasts
• Don’t be surprised to see Christmas trees up in people’s homes. I love this! Nothing makes a house feel homey-er than your (fake in Belize always!) tree glowing in the living room. Some people put their trees up right after Halloween. I fully endorse that! And want to put ours up at the camp but I know Jeff will want to wait until after American Thanksgiving. Let’s see if I can wait…

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Holidays & Special Events in November

November in Belize has one of the coolest, most unique holidays – celebrating one of Belize’s most beautiful cultures – the Garifuna.

Garifuna Settlement Day – November 19th

This is one of Belize’s most beloved and colorful holidays, honoring the arrival of the Garifuna people to Belize’s shores in 1802.

It’s celebrated with drumming, punta dancing, music, food, and Garifuna dress – especially in Garifuna communities like Dangriga, Hopkins, and Punta Gorda. —> See my visit for Garifuna Settlement Day in gorgeous Punta Gorda and then in Dangriga a few years later.

Here on Ambergris Caye, schools and cultural groups usually host smaller celebrations with drumming and performances leading up to the day. It’s a national and bank holiday, so expect schools, banks, and government offices to close.

Ambergris Caye’s heritage is predominantly Mestizo, but the Garifuna group leads the celebrations for November 19th.

In San Pedro, you will see drumming around town, the main street is decorated withe the yellow black and white Garifuna flag and you can find delicious Garifuna food.

I HIGHLY recommend Black and White Restaurant – the only Garifuna restaurant on the island. The food is fantastic and the vibe is unlike any other on the island. Here’s my full write-up.

Other Dates to Know

• Thanksgiving (U.S.) – November 27, 2025: Not an official holiday in Belize, but you’ll find turkey dinners with a Belizean twist at many restaurants on Ambergris Caye.

Here’s a list of restaurants that did Thanksgiving meals last year – keep an eye on their Facebook pages for information! Black Orchid Restaurant & Lounge, Blue Water Grill, Charmaine’s Café, El Fogon, Elvi’s Kitchen, Estel’s Dine By the Sea, Frenchy’s Restaurant & Lounge, Lily’s Treasure Chest, Palmilla Restaurant at Victoria House, Pineapples on the Beach at Ramon’s Village, Rain Restaurant & Rooftop Terrace at Grand Caribe, Red Ginger at The Phoenix Resort, Sea Salt Restaurant & Terrace Bar at Alaia, Someplace South…you have a serious choice!

I remember that Estel’s did a Stewed Turkey special – Belizean style…eaten at their beach front spot…I’ve been thinking about it all year!

Turkey is VERY Belizean. Though most often it’s eaten for Christmas. The Maya basically invented the turkey dinner. The Maya and the Aztecs were thought to have domesticated the wild turkey around 800BCE.

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Additional Events in November…

This list will grow as I see them pop up but here’s what I have right now.

November 5, Wednesday

Full Moon Party at beautiful Moon Bar, 6 miles north of San Pedro

November 8, Saturday

Ambergris North Alliance is planning a trash clean up on the north road – starting at 7am. Stay tuned for details!

Great monthly market on the beach at Caribbean Villas, just south of town

November 14, Friday

World Diabetes Day event

November 16, Sunday

At Someplace South, about 2.5 miles south of San Pedro town — here is the Facebook information

November 22, Thursday

Hollywood Squares is back – featuring local celebs. It’s a fun night at NautiCrab and you’ll need to reserve a seat!

November 29, Thursday

8am: San Pedro Turkey Trot

Get your American holiday in San Pedro started with a 8am Turkey Trot — Sign up here!