As one of the premier vacation rental companies in this beautiful tropical paradise, ensuring the safety of our guests and staff during hurricane season in Belize is our top priority. We understand that our guests choose Placencia for its stunning landscapes and relaxing atmosphere, and so we are committed to maintaining that sense of peace and security, even in the face of severe weather.

Our hurricane preparedness and evacuation plan is meticulously designed to protect everyone on our properties, minimize risk, and provide clear, actionable steps during a hurricane event. Whether you’re a guest enjoying a tranquil escape or a valued member of our team, safety is paramount. Here’s an in-depth look at how we prepare for and respond to hurricanes to keep everyone safe and secure.

Preparation Before A Storm

Hurricane season in Belize typically spans from July through October. During these months, the region is more susceptible to heavy rainfall and  strong winds that can sometimes progress to hurricane status. Guests with reservations during this time are encouraged to purchase Travel Insurance that specifically covers hurricane and weather emergencies prior to their arrival in Belize.

We take proactive measures to monitor weather conditions and implement our hurricane preparedness and evacuation plan, ensuring that all guests are well-informed and protected throughout the hurricane season in Belize.

Our onsite management team relies on accurate information from reliable sources:

• National Hurricane Center nhc.noaa.gov
• National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) nemo.org.bz

Procedure During a Tropical Depression or Storm

The properties managed by Gecko Vacations are all well equipped to handle a Tropical Depression or a Tropical Storm. Guests are given the choice to stay on-site or a Gecko concierge can assist with evacuating them to an inland hotel or storm shelter at the guest’s expense. However, evacuation is not necessary during a Tropical Depression or Storm.

Maintenance staff will be on-call to prepare the properties, secure outdoor equipment & fixtures and trim trees to prevent debris damage. The properties are all equipped with flashlights, First Aid Kits, and phones with emergency contact list for guest safety.

Procedure During a Hurricane

Should a Tropical Storm progress into Hurricane status and the path is certainly directed toward Belize, we will rely on the services and resources available within the country to aid guests and staff in the best ways possible, including transportation options available, stores and medical facilities that remain open, and recommendations for shelters available for accommodations. The following Hurricane plan will ensure:

• Category 1-2 confirmed Hurricane within 96 hours: Guests already in the country given the option to evacuate and leave Belize if international flights can be arranged. Incoming arrival guests to be notified before arrival to give them the option to make alternate plans.
• Category 1-2 confirmed Hurricane within 24 hours: Guests already in the country given the option to evacuate to an inland hotel or Storm Shelter in Placencia.
• Category 3-5 confirmed Hurricane within 96 hours: Guests already in the country will be notified that evacuation is mandatory and leaving Belize with international flight is highly recommended. Incoming arrival guests will be urged to not travel to Belize and can make arrangements with reservations department to reschedule.
• Category 3-5 confirmed Hurricane within 24 hours: At this point no property should have any guests or staff on-site.

A full list of shelters in Placencia and Maya Beach area, emergency numbers and onsite Gecko staff numbers will be provided to every guest.

Hurricane Beryl 

As of today, July 2nd, evacuation is not mandatory for our Gecko guests. Beryl is expected to make landfall in Belize around July 5th. The duration of the storm’s impact in Belize is expected to last approximately 24-36 hours from the time of landfall​ with mostly the northern part of the country being affected. 

For continuous updates, follow the National Hurricane Center and local news sources.