Belize doesn’t have states, provinces, or departments. Instead, the country is divided into six different districts. Cayo District is the largest district in the country, located in the west of Belize along the border with Guatemala.

While you won’t find many cowboys in Cayo, the area is often referred to as the “Wild West” thanks to its abundance of lush rainforests, mountains, pristine rivers, and enormous national parks. The biggest urban area in Cayo is San Ignacio Town and its twin Santa Elena across the river, the second-largest municipal area in the country. San Ignacio is a popular jumping off point to experience the beauty of nature in Cayo, but the town is worth a visit if only for its thriving open-air market where farmers, artisans, and villagers meet to exchange gossip and sell fresh produce, dairy products, handicrafts, and traditional medicinal compounds.

Cayo is home to several small villages dispersed throughout the territory, including the Mennonite settlement of Spanish Lookout where hardworking people of faith produce some of the country’s best cheeses and furniture.

Most people, however, come to Cayo to explore the rich abundance of wild nature in the area. There are several Important Birding Areas located in the district, as identified by the Belize Audobon Society. And massive national parks like the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve (some 106,000 acres/430 square kilometers), home to the tallest waterfalls in Central America and exotic wildlife like jaguars, monkeys, crocodiles, and endangered ocellated turkeys.

Adventure options in Cayo include horseback riding, hiking, bird watching, zip lining, and the uniquely Belizean sport of cave tubing at sites like Caves Brach. Cave tubing involves participants aboard an inflatable inner tube exploring vast underground river systems. Cayo District is also home to the Rio Frio Cave, once used by the ancient Maya for religious ceremonies, and Rio on Pools, a collection of swimming holes located at the base of a waterfall.

Other popular destinations in Cayo include ancient Maya sites, including Caracol and Xunantunich, two vast cities that once competed against Tikal (just across the border in modern-day Guatemala) for dominance of the region. And just across from San Ignacio lies the ruins of Cahal Pech, a cliffside community built exclusively for Maya nobles and members of the elite.

Chabil Mar is an award-winning luxury resort located on the Caribbean coastline in Placencia, Belize. Chabil Mar offers visitors Belize all-inclusive jungle and sea vacation packages that include guided tours to the best spots in Cayo.

For more information about Cayo, feel free to chat with our Concierge at: concierge@chabilmarvillas.com or contact our Reservations Manager at: reservations@chabilmarvillas.com. Or perhaps you would like to call toll free from the US or Canada: 1-866-417-2377.

Seven Ways to Get to and from Belize Airports and Placencia

Belize in February

Belize is gaining recognition as an ideal destination for February travel, known for its extended days bathed in golden sunshine and a wide array of attractions. Its rising popularity as a must-visit location in 2026 is underscored by accolades from leading publications. Additionally, travel to Belize has become more accessible and cost-effective, thanks to recent fare specials from airlines such as JetBlue, Alaska Airlines and SouthWest. These offers, available from multiple U.S. cities, make planning a vacation to Belize in 2026 more enticing and feasible.

Events and Festivals in February

It may not be an official holiday on the calendar, but Valentine’s Day (February 14) is widely celebrated throughout the country.

Definitely don’t miss the San Pedro Carnival. The colorful island town goes to great lengths every year to top itself with concerts, dancing, parades, and food festivals during the week before Lent.

The titleholder of the world’s smallest main street, Placencia uses its iconic four-foot-wide “main street” to host the Placencia Sidewalk Arts and Music Festival every year. Artists from around the country will be on hand to demonstrate their wares, including paintings, handmade furniture, sculpture, clothing, and photographs. Enjoy a smorgasbord of food while dancing to live music.

Things to Do and See in Belize in February

There are plenty of interesting things to do in Belize during the month of February, including:

1. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a candlelit dinner under the stars.
2. Tour ancient Maya ruins like Cahal Pech and Xunantunich.
3. Let your freak flag fly and participate in Carnaval.
4. Explore the ATM (Actun Tunichil Muknal) Cave in Cayo District where Maya priests once conducted human sacrifices.
5. Cross into Guatemala and witness the majesty of Tikal.
6. Go bird watching or wilderness spotting.
7. Renew your wedding vows on the beach.
8. Get married in a breathtakingly beautiful location.
9. Enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, or sailing on the Belize Barrier Reef.
10. Enjoy an intimate and romantic honeymoon.

Belize Weather in February

Tourism numbers are usually very high in February due to the sunny days and balmy temperatures that are typical for Belize during this month. Expect highs of 80F (27C) and nights that rarely drop below 70F (21C).

Where to Stay in Belize in February

Chabil Mar is a multiple award-winning luxury resort located on the golden sands of the Placencia Peninsula. The resort offers visitors beautiful villas set in a lovely tropical oasis, the perfect winter getaway or place to enjoy a romantic vacation on Valentine’s Day.

Visit our website Chabilmarvillas.com for more information on Belize and Chabil Mar, and don’t hesitate to send us an email, or call & chat with us via WhatsApp Free Worldwide: +501-633-7547, Local: (011-501) 523-3606, if you have questions or need help in planning a Belize vacation.

An excellent way to escape the winter blues, Belize enjoys fantastic weather and lots of sunshine in December and throughout the New Year’s festivities.

Beyond the usual celebrations of music, dancing, and beverages, Belize has a number of unique New Year’s traditions. For locals, the last day of the year is a time to lay out a delicious feast of rice and beans, relleno, and turkey while counting down the final hours of December together with friends, family, and loved ones.

Children and adults alike love to celebrate the arrival of the New Year with plenty of fireworks, sparklers, and other pyrotechnics. Whether you’re in a small village or a large town, there are plenty of firework demonstrations throughout the country.

January 1, New Year’s Day, is a time for everyone, local and visitor alike, to spend the day enjoying exciting activities and traveling around the country. One of the most popular activities is the horse race in the village of Burrell Boom in the north. Another New Year’s Day favorite is the bicycle race that begins in Corozal District and ends in Belize City.

One of the best places to enjoy a wonderful New Year’s celebration is on the Placencia Peninsula. Featuring 16 miles of white sandy beaches on Belize’s southeastern Caribbean coast, Placencia is ideally situated just a short distance from world-class snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, and fishing on the Belize Barrier Reef. Placencia is also conveniently located close to popular mainland activities like hiking in the Cockscomb Basin Nature Reserve, exploring ancient Maya ruins, and marveling at natural wonders like waterfalls, rainforests, jungles, and exotic tropical birds and wildlife that call Belize home.

The award-winning resort of Chabil Mar on the Placencia Peninsula offers comprehensive “reef and rainforest” packages that combine the best activities on the reef with tours of the rainforest. Chabil Mar also organizes trips to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Tikal just over the border in neighboring Guatemala.

Chabil Mar offers guests the opportunity to enjoy true luxury in a beachfront setting just a few minutes’ walk from Placencia Village. The resort features elegantly appointed villas, a lush tropical garden, and one of the top restaurants in the country.

Why not start 2026 off right with an exciting adventure in Belize? Staying at the Chabil Mar resort and participating in exciting tours of the top attractions in Belize is a great way to renew, refresh, and revitalize your spirit.

Visit our website Chabilmarvillas.com for more information on Belize and Chabil Mar, and don’t hesitate to send us an email, or call & chat with us via WhatsApp Free Worldwide: +501-633-7547, Local: (011-501) 523-3606, if you have questions or need help in planning a Belize vacation.