Where to go in March for sun? In March, the three safest destinations for sunshine are Vietnam, Costa Rica and the French Caribbean. Vietnam becomes pleasant from north to south, Costa Rica has one of its driest months, and Martinique and Guadeloupe are in the middle of their dry season.
March is a pivotal month: the dry season continues in the tropics of the northern hemisphere, Southeast Asia starts to heat up, Japan enters cherry blossom season at the end of the month, and southern Europe stays cool. In 2027, Easter falls on 28 March: Holy Week, widely observed in Latin America and in the Philippines, pushes up demand in the last week of the month. Here are 12 destinations, with the official climate normals for each and what can disappoint.
Where to go in March: key facts
- Sun and heat: Martinique, Guadeloupe, Costa Rica, Mexico (Yucatán), Maldives, Philippines
- Culture and cities: Vietnam (north to south), Egypt (Luxor), Japan (cherry blossom at the end of the month), Sri Lanka
- Low budget: Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Thailand (fewer crowds)
- Mild and easy: Canary Islands; for snow and the northern lights, Lapland
- Best avoided: Réunion, Tanzania and Zanzibar, Bali
Comparison: the climate of 12 destinations in March
| Destination | Average high (March) | Average rain (March) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam (Hanoi) | 25.9 °C (79 °F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | North-to-south tour |
| Thailand (Bangkok) | 34.7 °C (94 °F) | 51 mm (2.0 in) | Beaches, first trip |
| Philippines (Manille) | 32.1 °C (90 °F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | Islands, diving |
| Maldives (Malé) | 31.6 °C (89 °F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | Beach, diving |
| Sri Lanka (Colombo) | 32.0 °C (90 °F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | Culture, beaches |
| Costa Rica (Liberia) | 35.4 °C (96 °F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | Nature, wildlife, beaches |
| Mexico (Yucatán) (Cancún) | 30.6 °C (87 °F) | 45.4 mm (1.8 in) | Beach, Maya sites |
| Martinique (Fort-de-France) | 28.5 °C (83 °F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | French Caribbean, beach |
| Egypt (Luxor) | 29.7 °C (85 °F) | 1.7 mm (0.1 in) | Culture, Nile, Red Sea |
| Japan (Tokyo) | 14.2 °C (58 °F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | Culture, cherry blossom |
| Canary Islands (Tenerife) (Santa Cruz de Tenerife) | 22.4 °C (72 °F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | Mild weather, hiking |
| Finnish Lapland (Rovaniemi) | -1.9 °C (29 °F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | Snow, northern lights, deep cold |
These figures are averages over several decades: any given year can be drier or wetter. Rainfall totals do not tell the whole story: 150 mm (5.9 in) falling in short late-afternoon showers is less of a nuisance than continuous drizzle.
Where to go in March on a budget
This second table ranks the destinations from cheapest to most expensive, with a rough low-budget cost on the ground per person per day, excluding flights. Flight prices are not shown: they vary too much with the booking date and your departure airport.
| Destination | Low-budget cost on the ground (per person per day, excluding flights, roughly) |
|---|---|
| Sri Lanka (Colombo) | $40 to $65 |
| Vietnam (Hanoi) | $40 to $55 |
| Thailand (Bangkok) | $40 to $65 |
| Philippines (Manille) | $40 to $65 |
| Mexico (Yucatán) | $45 to $80 |
| Egypt (Luxor) | $45 to $80 |
| Canary Islands (Tenerife) | $65 to $100 |
| Costa Rica (Liberia) | $65 to $100 |
| Martinique (Fort-de-France) | $80 to $125 |
| Japan (Tokyo) | $80 to $125 |
| Maldives (Malé) | $90 to $170 |
| Finnish Lapland (Rovaniemi) | $135 to $265 |
Vietnam
March is often cited as the best month for travelling the whole of Vietnam in a single trip. The north warms up (25.9 °C (79 °F) average high in Hanoi), the centre is dry and pleasant (51 mm (2.0 in) in Hue) and the south stays in the dry season (18 mm (0.7 in) in Ho Chi Minh City). Halong Bay, Hoi An and the Mekong Delta combine easily. With Halong Bay, Hoi An and the Mekong Delta combining well this month, a stay in Halong Bay naturally fits the programme.
Caveat: the sky in the north can stay overcast some days, and the heat rises in the south (33.6 °C (92 °F) in Ho Chi Minh City). For a north-to-south tour, allow at least two weeks.
In March in Hanoi: 25.9 °C (79 °F) average high and 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Vietnam)?
Thailand
In March, the dry season continues in Thailand. The beaches of the Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi, Ko Lanta) stay fairly dry (81 mm (3.2 in) in Phuket), and crowds fall compared with January and February, which eases prices.
Caveat: the heat rises sharply (34.7 °C (94 °F) average high in Bangkok, 35.4 °C (96 °F) in Chiang Mai). In the north, the agricultural burning season can degrade air quality: check pollution indexes before booking Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai. With that burning weighing on air quality, it is best to know when to go to Chiang Mai before booking a trek in the north.
In March in Bangkok: 34.7 °C (94 °F) average high and 51 mm (2.0 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Thailand)?
Philippines
March is one of the driest months in the Philippines: 22 mm (0.9 in) in Manila, 37 mm (1.5 in) in Puerto Princesa (Palawan). It is a good time for Palawan (El Nido, Coron), the Visayas (Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor) and diving, before the intense heat of April and May.
Caveat: Holy Week, at the end of March in 2027, is a time of mass travel within the country: transport and accommodation are in great demand. According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 15 July 2026), the FCDO advises against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago: read the full advice before any plan outside the usual tourist routes.
In March in Manille: 32.1 °C (90 °F) average high and 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Philippines)?
Maldives
March extends the dry season in the Maldives: 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain in Malé, an often very calm sea and 31.6 °C (89 °F) average high. It is a good month for diving and snorkelling.
Caveat: rates stay at high-season levels, especially around Easter. The south of the archipelago is wetter (121 mm (4.8 in) at Gan, on Addu Atoll).
In March in Malé: 31.6 °C (89 °F) average high and 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Maldives)?
Sri Lanka
March is still a good time for a tour of Sri Lanka: the southwest coast is still favourable (103 mm (4.1 in) in Colombo, often in showers), the Cultural Triangle is hot and dry (62 mm (2.4 in) in Anuradhapura), and the east coast is starting to dry out (72 mm (2.8 in) in Trincomalee).
Caveat: the heat rises (32 °C (90 °F) average high in Colombo, 34.8 °C (95 °F) in Anuradhapura) and late-afternoon thunderstorms become more frequent. In April, the west coast tips towards the wet season.
In March in Colombo: 32.0 °C (90 °F) average high and 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Sri Lanka)?
Costa Rica
March is one of the driest months in Costa Rica (4 mm (0.2 in) in Liberia). The beaches of Guanacaste, the Nicoya peninsula and the Arenal volcano can be visited in the sun; the central valley stays more temperate (29.9 °C (86 °F) average high in San José). Guanacaste, Nicoya and Arenal in dry weather in March are among the ideas for anyone looking for cheap sun destinations, to compare according to flight prices.
Caveat: it is very hot on the northern Pacific coast and the vegetation is dry. The Caribbean coast stays wet (209 mm (8.2 in) in Limón). In 2027, Holy Week falls at the end of March: it is a holiday period for Costa Ricans, with beaches and accommodation in great demand.
In March in Liberia: 35.4 °C (96 °F) average high and 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Costa Rica)?
Mexico (Yucatán)
March is hot and dry on the Yucatán Peninsula, with 45.4 mm (1.8 in) of rain in Cancún. Around the spring equinox (20 or 21 March), the play of shadow on the Kukulcán pyramid at Chichén Itzá draws the shape of a serpent that attracts many visitors. That play of shadow draws crowds around the equinox; the best time to go to Cancún also depends on those dates.
Caveat: at the end of March 2027, Holy Week (Semana Santa) pushes up crowds and prices. Sargassum seaweed can start to arrive on the Caribbean coast in spring: find out before choosing your beach.
In March in Cancún: 30.6 °C (87 °F) average high and 45.4 mm (1.8 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Mexico)?
Martinique
March is the driest month in Fort-de-France (71 mm (2.8 in)). It is still Lent season (carême), the dry season in the Caribbean: trade winds, a warm sea and moderate heat. Neighbouring Guadeloupe enjoys comparable conditions, with 68 mm (2.7 in) in Pointe-à-Pitre (see our guide when to go to Guadeloupe). Martinique is a French overseas region, so the euro is the local currency.
Caveat: the mountainous north (Mount Pelée) stays wetter than the south (62 mm (2.4 in) at Sainte-Anne). Sargassum seaweed can reach some beaches on the Atlantic coast: find out before choosing your accommodation.
In March in Fort-de-France: 28.5 °C (83 °F) average high and 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Martinique)?
Egypt (Luxor)
March is still a very good time for the Nile Valley: 29.7 °C (85 °F) average high in Luxor, nights milder than in winter (12.8 °C (55 °F) average low) and almost no rain. On the Red Sea, the average high reaches 26.2 °C (79 °F) in Hurghada.
Caveat: the khamsin, a hot, sand-laden wind, can blow for a few days in spring. The heat becomes strong in the afternoon at the end of the month: visit sites early in the morning. According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 4 August 2026), the FCDO advises against all travel to the North Sinai Governorate and to within 20 km of the Egypt-Libya border: read the full advice before booking.
In March in Luxor: 29.7 °C (85 °F) average high and 1.7 mm (0.1 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Egypt)?
Japan
Japan becomes a star destination at the end of the month: the cherry blossom (sakura) generally begins in late March in Tokyo and Kyoto, before moving north in April. Before that, March is still cool (14.2 °C (58 °F) average high in Tokyo). To aim for the sakura, see when to go to Kyoto: the blossom there generally arrives at the same time as in Tokyo.
Caveat: blossom dates vary by more than a week from year to year: follow the forecasts published from winter. It is one of the most popular periods of the year: book accommodation early, especially in Kyoto.
In March in Tokyo: 14.2 °C (58 °F) average high and 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Japan)?
Canary Islands (Tenerife)
In March, the Canary Islands gain a little warmth (22.4 °C (72 °F) in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 23.6 °C (74 °F) at Tenerife Sur). It is a good time for hiking (Teide, Anaga, La Palma), and Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are drier (12 mm (0.5 in) and 10 mm (0.4 in)).
Caveat: it still rains a little in the north of the islands (28 mm (1.1 in) in Santa Cruz), and the sea stays cool. Crowds stay heavy with the European holidays.
In March in Santa Cruz de Tenerife: 22.4 °C (72 °F) average high and 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Canary Islands)?
Finnish Lapland (Rovaniemi)
March is a good compromise in Lapland: the snow is still there, days lengthen markedly after winter, and nights stay dark enough to watch for the northern lights under clear skies. Husky sledding, snowmobiling and snowshoeing are on the programme.
Caveat: it is still cold (-1.9 °C (29 °F) average high in Rovaniemi, much colder at night). The northern lights are never guaranteed: they depend on solar activity and cloud cover. Bring equipment suited to extreme cold.
In March in Rovaniemi: -1.9 °C (29 °F) average high and 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Finnish Lapland (Rovaniemi))?
Preparing for a March trip
In 2027, Easter falls on 28 March. Holy Week, the week before, pushes up prices to Latin America and the Philippines, and the Easter weekend is in great demand in Europe. Outside that period, March is a fairly quiet month: the first half often offers a good weather-for-price ratio.
March is the last month of the dry season across much of Southeast Asia, and the heat rises noticeably as the weeks go by. For entry requirements and health, check the official travel advice of your own government (for example travel.state.gov in the US or GOV.UK in the UK) before booking. For Japan, book early if you are aiming for the cherry blossom.
Destinations to avoid in March
- Réunion and Mauritius: still in the hot, humid season (264 mm (10.4 in) in Saint-Denis), and the cyclone season, which according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 19 October 2026) usually runs from November to May in Mauritius, is not over.
- Tanzania and Zanzibar: the long rains set in (94 mm (3.7 in) at Kilimanjaro Airport, 177 mm (7.0 in) in Zanzibar).
- Bali: the rainy season is ending, but it still rains 234 mm (9.2 in) in Denpasar. Nyepi, the Day of Silence (usually in March), closes Ngurah Rai International Airport for the entire day, according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 18 September 2026).
- Cuba: March is the driest month in Havana (46.2 mm (1.8 in)), but the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 25 September 2026) advises against all but essential travel to the island because of grid collapses, shortages and flight suspensions. Check the latest advice before making any plans; climate details are in our guide to Cuba.
Toutes nos destinations idéales en mars (65)
Liste établie automatiquement d’après nos calendriers « quand partir » : destinations notées ✓ idéal pour ce mois. Température max. moyenne indicative ; détail et sources sur chaque guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find sun in March?
Martinique, Guadeloupe, Costa Rica, Mexico (Yucatán), the Maldives, the Philippines and southern Vietnam are in the dry season in March. Closer to Europe, Cape Verde offers about 25 °C (77 °F) and almost no rain (0.5 mm (0.02 in) on Sal), and the Canary Islands about 22 °C (72 °F).
Where can I see cherry blossom in March?
In Japan: the blossom generally begins in late March in Tokyo and Kyoto, then moves north in April. Dates vary from year to year; book early, as it is one of the most popular periods.
Where can I go in March in Europe?
It is not yet hot in Europe in March. The Canary Islands (22.4 °C (72 °F) average high in Santa Cruz de Tenerife) and Madeira (20.6 °C (69 °F) in Funchal, with a few showers still) are the mildest. Around the Mediterranean, expect about 15 °C (59 °F) to 16 °C (61 °F) in Athens or Split: a good month for sightseeing, not for the beach.
Where can I go in March on a low budget?
Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Thailand have moderate costs on the ground in March, at roughly $40 to $65 per person per day (excluding flights), with fewer crowds in Thailand. If possible, avoid the last week of the month in 2027, which coincides with Holy Week and Easter.
Our sources
- Official climate normals: IBST (Vietnam), standard QCVN 02:2022/BXD, 1991-2020 normals (Hanoi); Thai Meteorological Department, 1991-2020 normals (Bangkok); PAGASA, 1991-2020 normals (Manila, Port Area); WMO, 1991-2020 normals (Malé); Sri Lanka Department of Meteorology, via the WMO, 1991-2020 normals (Colombo); Costa Rica’s Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (Liberia); Servicio Meteorológico Nacional, 1991-2020 normals (Cancún); Météo-France, 1991-2020 normals (Fort-de-France); Autorité météorologique égyptienne, via l’WMO (NOAA archive), 1991-2020 normals (Luxor); Japan Meteorological Agency, 1991-2020 normals (Tokyo); AEMET via l’WMO (NOAA archive), 1991-2020 normals (Santa Cruz de Tenerife); Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), 1991-2020 normals (Rovaniemi)
- Cuba: Instituto de Meteorología de Cuba, 1961-1990 normals published by the WMO (Havana), figures taken from our guide
- For destinations that already have a guide on our site, figures taken from our « when to go » pages, which cover all 12 months
- Indicative budgets: practical fact sheets in our country guides, linked from each destination, converted at the European Central Bank reference rate of 23 October 2026
- UK FCDO foreign travel advice (GOV.UK): Philippines (updated 15 July 2026), Egypt (4 August 2026), Indonesia (18 September 2026), Mauritius (19 October 2026), Cuba (updated 25 September 2026)
- How we select and verify destinations: see our page Our methodology
Updated November 2026.