While spring arrives in March, many places will still be dealing with ice and snow. After months of battling the cold, a getaway to a warm destination this time of year can be a great way to refresh and recharge, returning home ready to embrace the final chilly days of the season with the promise of sunshine soon on the way. There are plenty of fabulous beach destinations for soaking up some rays, but you’ll also find a wide range of options for taking advantage of warmer weather and enjoying everything from exploring rich history to wildlife watching too.
Cyprus
Cyprus typically enjoys temperatures in the upper 60s in March, with plenty of sunshine for walks on the beach and hikes in the Troodos Mountains. There’s plenty of sightseeing to enjoy as well, including medieval castle ruins along the northern coast. If you like to dive, there are some excellent sites in and around Larnaca, including one with the wreck of a ferry that sank in 1980 that’s often ranked among the top wreck dives in the world. There are also spas for pampering treatments and plenty of delicious eats with dishes blending Middle Eastern, Turkish, Greek, and African cuisine paired with Cyprus wine.
Bermuda
Bermuda is within easy reach of many U.S. and Canadian cities and enjoys pleasantly warm weather in March, with an average temperature of 70 degrees. Visitors can spend their time on pink sand beaches under bright blue skies, snorkel, dive, parasail, jet-ski, and more. There are natural wonders to discover inland too, including the Crystal Caves. Explore the nation’s rich maritime history at the Bermuda National Trust Museum and enjoy wandering the charming cobbled streets lined with well-preserved colonial architecture.
Cancun, Mexico
March is the second driest month in Cancun and days are warm, with average highs of 84 degrees. It will be comfortable for day trips to ruins and jungle parks, swimming, snorkeling, and other activities in the crystal-clear turquoise waters, and soaking up the sun on pristine white sandy beaches. While many students will be enjoying their spring break trips, if that’s not your scene, you can avoid the wild parties by choosing a higher-end resort or an adult-only property.
Miami, Florida
March is an ideal month for visiting Miami with daily temperatures in the 70s, plus Carnaval, a festive celebration with multiple events celebrating the vibrant Latin and Caribbean cultures, takes place now, featuring Latin music, art, food, sports, and fashion. It’s the perfect time to explore the Art Deco District, sample a wide range of delicious eats, watch people at South Beach, and enjoy a day trip to Everglades National Park. Just an hour’s drive away, it’s home to abundant wildlife, including crocodiles and alligators, and a wealth of bird species.
Oaxaca, Mexico
Oaxaca City is the capital of the state of Oaxaca, providing an authentic Mexican experience that includes a wealth of cultural attractions and one of the best food scenes in the entire country. It will also be quite warm in March, with the average daytime high in the upper 80s Fahrenheit. The cobbled streets are lined with centuries-old colonial architecture, while vibrant markets offer handcrafted items. No matter where you are here, you’re bound to run into a food stand serving a wide range of mouthwatering eats, yet tourist crowds are virtually non-existent. Bounded by the Sierra Norte and Sierra Madre del Sur mountains, there’s plenty to do in the surrounding area, including hiking and biking. The Hierve el Agua, a series of stunning pools and petrified “waterfalls,” can easily be reached on your own by joining a tour.
Sedona, Arizona
While it won’t be balmy in Sedona, it’s likely to be comfortably warm, around the low 70s, and the skies are nearly always bright blue, perfect for hiking the miles of scenic trails that wind through the red rocks or practicing yoga with a stunning backdrop. The area’s vortexes, swirling centers of energy believed to be particularly conducive to healing and meditative journies, draw many here. There are plenty of other things to do too, from Jeep and hot-air balloon tours to exploring art galleries, shopping, and top-notch dining.
Seville, Spain
The south coast of Spain can be unbearably hot in the summer, but in March temperatures are ideal and the crowds will be much thinner too. A light sweater or jacket is all that’s needed at most to enjoy sights like the UNESCO-listed Royal Alcazar and Seville Cathedral, the largest gothic cathedral in the world. It’s a trip back in time, following in the footsteps of everyone from the Tartessians and Romans to the Arabs, Jews and Phoenicians. It’s also a fabulous place for foodies and wine enthusiasts, with so many offerings you might want to join a guided wine and tapas tour. Reserve an evening for a night of flamenco as the city is where the dance was birthed. Many performances include dinner and a show.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Throughout the month of March there will be many local festivals hosted in New Orleans, including St. Patrick’s Day. Combined with temperatures in the low to mid-70s, it’s an ideal time for a visit. While you’re here, you can explore famous areas like the French Quarter, sample the tasty beignets at Cafe Du Monde, marvel at the magnificent mansions in the Garden District, explore museums and take a swamp tour. There are many venues hosting live jazz; a must in the place where it was birthed. Or, you might enjoy a Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise.
Sicily, Italy
March in Sicily is mild with temperatures in the 60s, ideal for climbing its active volcanoes, admiring the magnificent Sicilian baroque architecture, exploring 10,000 years of history and enjoying some of the world’s tastiest cuisine, influenced by many different cultures. While it may be a bit too chilly for a swim in the Mediterranean, the medieval town of Cefalu, set atop a rocky headland about an hour from Palermo, has been a setting for many movies with picturesque sandy beaches, a lovely seafront promenade, and glorious sunsets.
Sri Lanka
March in Sri Lanka means the peak tourist season will be winding down and the weather will mostly be dry as the last month for great beach weather. It’s also an ideal time for an overnight adventure to Adam’s Peak in the Central Highlands, a popular pilgrimage that brings the opportunity to watch a glorious sunrise. Visitors can also explore the jungle sanctuaries in Yala National Park, home to abundant wildlife that includes Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan leopards, and aquatic birds. There are plenty of man-made attractions too, including the Temple of the Tooth shrine and other sacred Buddhist sites in historic Kandy, the nation’s capital.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
If you’ve been thinking about visiting Dubai, March is one of the best times to do it with the average daytime high at 84 degrees. Shopping is a popular activity here, with the Dubai Mall one of the largest in the world housing over 1,200 shops and a massive aquarium where you can come face-to-face with sharks. With the idyllic weather, it’s also a great time to enjoy the beaches and swim in the highest 360-degree infinity pool on the planet. Set stop the Palm Tower, the AURA Skypool is more than 656 feet above ground and offers a sweeping vista of the gulf and the iconic Burj Al Arab.
Sabah, Malaysian Borneo
March is prime time for enjoying some of the world’s best wildlife encounters in Borneo. Marking the end of the rainy season, viewing will be much easier in places like the Danum Valley in eastern Sabah, a reserve with guides who can bring you into the jungle to spot orangutans in the wild. It’s also ideal for river cruises on the Kinabatangan River, where you can spot pygmy elephants, the smallest Asian elephant species known for their oversized ears and plump bellies, and the long-nosed proboscis monkeys.
Joshua Tree, California
If you don’t want to go too far from home, the artsy village of Joshua Tree, just outside Joshua Tree National Park in the Mojave Desert, enjoys idyllic temperatures that average in the low 80s in March. Plus, the wildflowers will be blooming, creating a kaleidoscope of color across the region. The 18 species of lizards that reside here are most abundant now, too, often seen basking in the sunshine about the boulders. Combined with incredible rock formations, thousands of bizarrely-shaped Joshua trees and other unusual plants, exploring the area brings countless photo-ops enjoyed under brilliant blue skies.
Placencia, Belize
While March is part of the high season in Belize, the weather will be idyllic with little chance of rain. If you want to enjoy some of the country’s best beaches, consider Placencia, which sits on a 16-mile-long peninsula boasting miles of soft sands. The small fishing village itself is home to the world’s narrowest street and offers the opportunity to delve into the rich culture of the Creole and Garifuna. It’s a cultural mosaic with a wide range of tasty eats, art and music in addition to all the usual beach activities like snorkeling and swimming. By joining a cruise on the Monkey River just 12 miles south, you can watch for birds like toucans, herons and tanagers along with howler monkeys, iguanas, and the occasional crocodile.
Oman
March is one of the best months to visit Oman, with comfortably warm, rain-free days in the upper 70s. Ranked among the world’s safest countries, the tiny nation with coasts along the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman offers everything from outstanding diving, idyllic beaches and sun-baked dunes to mountains, lush greenery and waterfalls. Plus, four species of sea turtle can be spotted in March at the fishing village of Ras al Jinz near the capital of Muscat. Visitors can also explore the Empty Quarter, the world’s largest sand desert. Camel treks, four-wheel-drive adventures and “dune bashing” (speeding through the desert on quad bikes) are all possible too.
