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What to Wear in Belize: Outfit Ideas & Packing List

ByLauren Moore Hours

This year, I traveled to Belize for the first time on a girls’ trip. Between exploring Mayan ruins, snorkeling the Belize barrier reef, and relaxing on the beach, I quickly realized how important it is to pack the right outfits for this diverse destination. If you’re wondering what to wear in Belize, you’re in the right place!

Having traveled to Mexico and the Caribbean dozens of times, I found the packing requirements for Belize to be very similar. Lightweight clothes, comfortable shoes, and plenty of sun protection are essentials. The mix of beachy vibes and adventurous jungle activities means you’ll need a wardrobe for both occasions.

In this post, I’ll share general tips for packing for Belize, along with outfit ideas for both the beach and jungle. Plus, I’ll include examples of what I actually wore on my trip to help you plan your own wardrobe.

Contents hide
Overview: What to Pack for Belize
What to Wear in San Pedro (Beach)
What to Wear in San Ignacio (Jungle)
Non-Clothing Items to Pack for Belize
One Week Belize Packing List
What I Wore in Belize

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Overview: What to Pack for Belize

Three friends pose for a selfie on a sunny dock at Caye Caulker, Belize, with a catamaran and a thatched-roof bar in the background. They are dressed in beachwear and sunglasses, smiling against a backdrop of turquoise water and clear blue skies.

Light and Comfortable Clothes

Belize is hot and humid, so lightweight and breathable clothes are a must. Pack t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, and loose dresses made from materials like cotton or linen. These will help keep you cool, and they’re easy to wash and dry if needed.

Beach and Swimwear

Since you’ll probably spend a lot of time at the beach or in the water, bring a few swimsuits. A mix of bikinis or one-pieces is perfect, along with cover-ups or casual dresses to throw on when you’re walking around. Flip-flops are great for the beach, but bring water shoes if you plan to snorkel or explore the reefs.

Be Ready for Rain

If you’re visiting during the rainy season (June–November), don’t forget a lightweight rain jacket. Quick-drying clothes will also come in handy if you get caught in the rain.

Protect Yourself from the Sun

The sun is strong in Belize, so pack a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen. Long-sleeve shirts with UV protection are also helpful if you’re spending a lot of time outside, especially on the water.

Shoes for Every Activity

You’ll need a few different types of shoes for your trip:

  • Flip-flops or sandals for the beach.
  • Sturdy sneakers or hiking shoes for jungle adventures or visiting Mayan ruins.
  • Water shoes for activities like cave tubing.

Clothes for Evenings

Evenings in Belize are casual but still a good time to freshen up. Bring a couple of nice outfits, like sundresses, linen pants, or a button-up shirt. Comfortable sandals work well for dinner or walking around town—no need for anything fancy.

What to Wear in San Pedro (Beach)

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San Pedro is all about laid-back, beachy vibes. Pack lightweight pieces like crochet cover-ups, swimsuits, and flowy dresses for easy transitions from beach to town.

Flat sandals or flip-flops are perfect for the sandy streets, and a packable beach bag is ideal for carrying all your essentials.

Don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen—San Pedro’s sun is no joke! Overall, plan for casual and relaxed island vibes.

Shop these San Pedro outfit ideas

What to Wear in San Ignacio (Jungle)

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San Ignacio is the perfect base for jungle adventures, from exploring Mayan ruins to ziplining through the trees. Comfortable, breathable activewear is key—think moisture-wicking tops and leggings or lightweight joggers. Pair them with sturdy hiking shoes or sandals designed for trails.

A small backpack is a must for carrying water, snacks, and other essentials during long excursions. A compact belt bag is great for keeping your phone and valuables close.

Don’t forget sunglasses for sunny hikes and bug spray for extra protection in the jungle.

Shop these San Ignacio outfit ideas

Non-Clothing Items to Pack for Belize

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  1. Reef-Safe Sunscreen – Protect your skin while keeping Belize’s coral reefs safe from harmful chemicals.
  2. Bug Spray with DEET – Mosquitoes can be intense in both the jungle and coastal areas, especially during the rainy season. I prefer bug spray wipes so I don’t have to worry about the liquid spilling in my suitcase.
  3. Reusable Water Bottle – A lot of lodges will have filtered water to refill your water bottle. I like that this one is compact to fit in a suitcase or backpack.
  4. Dry Bag – Perfect for keeping your phone, wallet, and other valuables dry during activities like snorkeling or cave tubing.
  5. Waterproof Phone Case – Ideal for snapping photos while protecting your phone from water and sand.
  6. Portable Charger – Ensure your devices stay powered up during long day trips and excursions.
  7. Quick-Dry Towel – Lightweight and compact, it’s great for beach days or drying off after water activities.
  8. Snorkeling Gear (Optional) – If you plan to snorkel often, having your own mask and fins can be more comfortable and convenient.

One Week Belize Packing List

Clothing

  • 3-4 lightweight tops (t-shirts, tank tops, or moisture-wicking shirts)
  • 2-3 pairs of shorts (casual and activewear)
  • 1 pair of lightweight long pants (for jungle hikes or evenings)
  • 2-3 flowy dresses or maxi dresses (perfect for beach dinners)
  • 1 pair of leggings or joggers (for jungle activities or cooler nights)
  • 1 light sweater or long-sleeve shirt (for sun protection or cool evenings)
  • 1 rain jacket or poncho (especially if visiting during the rainy season)
  • 3-4 swimsuits (mix of bikinis and one-pieces)
  • 1 cover-up or beach sarong

Shoes

  • 1 pair of flip-flops or sandals (for the beach)
  • 1 pair of hiking shoes or sturdy sneakers (for jungle and ruins)
  • 1 pair of water shoes (for snorkeling or cave tubing)

Accessories

  • Wide-brimmed hat or baseball cap
  • Sunglasses with UV protection
  • Packable beach bag
  • Small backpack or hydration pack
  • Compact belt bag or fanny pack

Non-Clothing Essentials

  • Reef-safe sunscreen
  • Bug spray with DEET
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Quick-dry towel
  • Dry bag (for protecting valuables during water activities)
  • Waterproof phone case
  • Portable charger
  • Travel-sized first aid kit

Optional Extras

  • Snorkeling gear (if you prefer to bring your own)
  • Headlamp or flashlight (for caves or early-morning birdwatching)
  • Lightweight scarf or wrap (for layering or extra sun protection)

What I Wore in Belize

Below are some outfits I actually wore in Belize. These outfits range from beachy casual, to a nice dinner outfit, and athletic clothes for adventures.

A woman stands barefoot in front of the large, colorful

Matching Set: This affordable set from Amazon comes with me on almost every trip because it packs super well and does not wrinkle. It comes in a ton of other colors as well.

Swimsuit: Simple black bikini top from Amazon, under $30

Hat: Another Amazon find, I got this affordable hat so I didn’t need to worry about it getting wet or damaged.

Sunglasses: My favorite Ray Bans

Three friends stand together on a sandy beach, wearing crochet cover-ups and sandals, with palm trees and lounge chairs in the background. The beach scene is lively, with colorful umbrellas and people enjoying the water under a bright sky at what appears to be Secret Beach in Belize.

Cover Ups: Cute crochet cover up from Amazon, pictured in size L, M, S from left to right.

Sandals: Platform Tevas – great for water and light exercise

Two friends posing in front of an ancient Mayan pyramid, with a towering stone structure against a dramatic cloudy sky. They are dressed casually in shorts, tank tops, and sneakers, surrounded by lush greenery and other visitors exploring the site.

Tank (left): Lululemon Swiftly Tech Racerback

Shorts (left): Lululemon Hotty Hot High-Rise Lined Short 4″

Sneakers (left): On Cloud 5 Running Shoe

Two friends holding hands and smiling on a sandy beach in San Pedro, Belize. They’re dressed in summery blue dresses, standing under a partly cloudy sky near the ocean

Dress (left): Old Abercrombie

Shoes (left): Old Target

Shoes (right): Target, come in many colors

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Lauren is the creator of The Traveling Moore blog. She's travel obsessed, having been to nearly 50 countries and all 7 continents. She has a full time corporate job, and loves showing others that it's still possible to travel the world with limited PTO hours. Lauren is also travel hacking obsessed, finding every way to travel more often and more luxuriously.

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