While the snow might not be piling up outside any longer, the warm summer months are still some time away. Getting away for some late winter sun may be on your mind, and you’re not alone. An increasing number of people are choosing to go away in March before returning home to enjoy the spring and summer. If you want a late winter escape, you will want somewhere warm and exciting. That’s exactly what our list below provides. You’ll find 10 of the best places to visit in March, along with the temperatures and the weather you can expect.
Cartagena in Colombia is a fantastic destination to visit in March. Its location near the equator ensures warm temperatures through March, with an average of 8 hours of sunshine per day. Rainfall during this time is non-existent, meaning you’re guaranteed to enjoy fine, warm weather.
Cartagena is widely recognized as one of the most vibrant cities in South America. It’s old walled city contrasts with the ultra-modern skyline of the adjacent business district. The city also boasts incredible Caribbean beaches, both on the mainland and on the offshore islands. Playa Blanca is the pick of the numerous beaches nearby.
Temp high: 88°F / 31°C
Temp low: 77°F / 25°C
Daily hours of sunshine: 8
Tamarindo on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast is one of our favorite destinations. Combining the best of adventure, relaxation, and nature, this is one great destination. Tamarindo benefits from an exceptional climate. The days are long and dry in March, with an average of 10 hours of sunshine. You’ll need all of these hours to cram in everything Tamarindo offers.
Most things in Tamarindo revolve around the long sandy beach. The Pacific break ensures a steady supply of excellent waves for surfing, while further out to sea, there are more activities. Diving and sport fishing are two of the most popular and recommended pastimes for this stretch of coastline. Back on shore, there’s some wonderful nature to explore. North of town, leatherhead turtles lay their eggs on the beach, while howler monkeys can be found in the nearby jungle. Back in town, there’s an assortment of bars and restaurants to ensure your evenings are just as enjoyable as your days.
Temp high: 91°F / 33°C
Temp low: 75°F / 24°C
Daily hours of sunshine: 10
San Diego is one of the most underrated cities in the USA. Boasting a fine year-round climate, it’s considered a great lifestyle city, but why should the locals have all the fun? If you visit in March, you’ll enjoy warm, bright days and mild evenings. Typically, there are 9 hours of sunshine daily and very little rain.
The city has many attractions, including galleries, museums, and the beach. There’s an excellent zoo and aquarium for nature lovers, plus daily whale cruises. March is one of the best months to see these magnificent creatures as they finish their annual migration. San Diego’s proximity to the Mexican border ensures a mixed and excellent restaurant scene. There are also many lively bars and clubs for later in the evening.
Temp high: 66°F / 19°C
Temp low: 54°F / 12°C
Daily hours of sunshine: 9
Cabo is a long-term favorite for West Coasters looking to escape the winter. Just a 2 – 3 hour flight from a host of US cities, Cabo offers an affordable short-haul option for some guaranteed winter sun. The climate is ideal with long, warm, and sunny days and not a drop of rain. The climate ensures you can make the most of Cabo’s best asset, its incredible beaches. There are numerous beaches in the area; the pick of them is Playa el Medano.
Aside from relaxing on the beach, there’s a whole range of water sports to keep you busy. In the evenings, you can sample Cabo’s wide selection of bars and restaurants.
Temp high: 86°F / 30°C
Temp low: 55°F / 13°C
Daily hours of sunshine: 9.5
You could easily argue Rio de Janeiro occupies the most spectacular setting of any city. Situated between Guanabara Bay and a ring of granite mountains, Rio is a fascinating destination. The iconic Christ the Redeemer Statue and the Copacabana Beach are just two of the city’s many highlights.
Rio is a city that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime, and a March visit is as good as any. March is the warmest month of the year, and while it falls into the official wet season, it’s much below the January peak. The other major benefit of visiting in March is you may catch the end of the annual Carnaval celebrations. Typically falling across late February and early March, it’s widely considered the biggest carnival in the world.
Temp high: 86°F / 30°C
Temp low: 75°F / 24°C
Daily hours of sunshine: 7
Langkawi is Malaysia’s premier beach resort, and rightly so. Located on the west coast in the Andaman Sea, it offers white beaches and warm turquoise waters. March is an excellent month to visit as its outside of the wet season. This means you’ll enjoy long sunny days throughout your stay.
Langkawi was initially a beach resort but has since built out its eco credentials. It’s even possible to take a cable cart to a unique viewing platform high above the surrounding jungle. You’ll also discover jungle and wildlife parks, waterfalls, and several golf courses.
Temp high: 91°F / 33°C
Temp low: 79°F / 26°C
Daily hours of sunshine: 8
Izmir on Turkey’s southern Mediterranean coast is one of the country’s top holiday destinations. Boasting numerous beautiful beaches and coves, this is one of the most attractive stretches of the Mediterranean coastline. Not only does the area have great beaches and resorts, it also has two incredible attractions, Ephesus and Pamukkale. Ephesus is an ancient Greek-Roman site first built in the 10th century BC. Now UNESCO recognized, a visit here is an unforgettable experience. The thermal springs at Pamukkale are also UNESCO recognized. Aside from the pools and warm waters, you’ll discover a surreal landscape formed by the calcite-rich thermal springs. There’s more on both destinations in our Best Things to see in Izmir Guide.
Alongside its incredible attractions, Izmir also boasts a fine climate. Even in March, the weather is generally warm and sunny, with 6 hours of sunshine daily and a respectable high temperature of 65°F.
Temp high: 65°F / 18°C
Temp low: 66°F / 9°C
Daily hours of sunshine: 6
Halong Bay in North Vietnam is one of Asia’s most picturesque locations. The large marine park covers 600 square miles, including 2,000 limestone islets and numerous beaches. Its natural beauty has been recognized with a UNESCO World Heritage Site status. You can see why you should visit in our Halong Bay guide.
March is a great time to visit Halong Bay. The weather is warm, but not unbearably hot and humid like summer. Rainfall is also very low this time of year, guaranteeing great weather for most of your stay. While this destination isn’t for everyone, it rewards the intrepid travelers who make the trip.
Temp high: 73°F / 23°C
Temp low: 64°F / 18°C
Daily hours of sunshine: 8
While it could be argued there’s never a bad time to visit Las Vegas; March is certainly one of the best months. The return of warmer weather and an average of 10 hours of sunshine means you can balance life outdoors with the entertainment on the strip.
It’s also a great time to visit the nearby Grand Canyon and to explore the surrounding desert. Rainfall in Las Vegas in March is low, but even if it does rain, where else would you find so much indoor entertainment?
Temp high: 72°F / 22°C
Temp low: 45°F / 7°C
Daily hours of sunshine: 10
Barbados is our final pick for the top warm places to visit in March. The outstanding weather and long hours of sunshine mean that the Caribbean is fantastic to visit during this time. However, we think Barbados has the edge over many neighbors with its rich history and culture, great amenities, and beautiful beaches. It also boasts wonderful flora and fauna with its offshore diving among the best in the Caribbean. The 9 hours of daily sunshine ensure you’ll have plenty of time for recreation and relaxation.
Temp high: 84°F / 29°C
Temp low: 73°F / 23°C
Daily hours of sunshine: 9
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