My family (with 2 teenage girls) is considering a trip to Belize this summer. We are considering second half of June or July for about 2 weeks. We are not used to heat and humidity and are wondering just how hot it is and whether some areas in Belize have more breeze to cool things off. We are considering a few days in Cayo area and the rest of the time by the water, either a caye or Placencia. We are also considering Tobacco Caye so we can snorkel without having to arrange a boat trip. What areas and month would people recommend for relief from heat and teenage appeal?

Our two hottests months are April and May. June and July are like temps in the US. Take a look at South Water Caye, close to TC, but a larger island with few inns. Really like the cottages at Pelican at SWC.

Thank you, Katie. I read somewhere online that Hurricane Iris damaged the coral around TC. Is this true for SWC also? How would Caye Caulker and Placencia compare for heat and appeal to teenagers?

Have not been on that part of the reef at TC since the storm, but have at SWC, which is in great shape. Temps would be the same, more breeze on the outer islands. Placencia and CC will be more active and have more people, bars, restaurants and activitiesthan SWC or TC.

I'll be there the 2nd of wk of May. Isn't May considered to be in a a rainy season? Does it get hot & humid at night in Cayo? I'm considering to stay at Crystal Paradise. I really like the canaba look, but there's no AC.

We were there at the end of July last year . . . it was not too hot in Placencia, probably because we were right on the beach. Our room did not have a/c, just fans and we were quite comfortable.

It was hotter 'n H#@L in Cayo . . . stifling. We had and needed a/c and we drank lots 'o beer to keep cool ! We're from Texas where it's routinely 110° in July and we felt right at home!

Buen viaje,
Sandy (in Denton)

If you head up a few miles into the Mountain Pine Ridge, it's usually a good bit cooler and less humid than around San Ignacio. The elevation -- 2,500-3,500 ft. makes the difference.

--Lan Sluder

What places to stay in Cayo at a higher elevation do you recommend for lodging? (Preferably in the moderate price range.) So Placencia wouldn't necessarily be hotter than Caye Caulker in late June?

There are only four lodges in the Pine Ridge -- Blancaneaux, Five Sisters, Hidden Valley Inn and Pine Ridge Lodge. Blancaneaux and Hidden Valley are the class acts, but neither is cheap.

When you're on the water, whether it's Caulker or Placencia or wherever -- that is, directly on the water, not back a few hundred feet -- there is usually a good breeze off the sea. There are periods in the summer when it goes calm, and then it WILL be hot and buggy.

--Lan Sluder