Where to Travel in March 10 Places You Can’t Afford to Skip

My boots were covered in red dust, sweat was dripping down my back, and I was absolutely miserable. There I was, standing outside the Amber Fort in Jaipur in the middle of May 2017, wondering why the hell I thought visiting India during peak summer was a good idea. The temperature gauge at our hotel lobby read 47°C (that’s 117°F for my American friends), and I swore I’d never make such a rookie mistake again.

Fast forward two years later, and I’m back in the same city – but this time in March. The morning air was crisp, the sun felt warm instead of punishing, and I could actually enjoy exploring without feeling like I was slowly cooking from the inside out. That trip taught me something every seasoned traveler eventually learns: timing isn’t just important in travel – it’s everything.

March has become my secret weapon. While most folks are either hibernating through the last bits of winter or already stressing about summer vacation planning, March sits there quietly offering some of the year’s absolute best travel opportunities. And today, I’m spilling all my secrets.

Why March Beats Every Other Month for Travel

Let me paint you a picture. It’s March, and half the world is waking up from winter’s deep sleep. Trees are budding, flowers are pushing through soil, and there’s this electric feeling in the air that only comes with spring’s arrival. Meanwhile, on the flip side of the planet, autumn is putting on its final show – painting landscapes in gold and crimson while temperatures drop to pure perfection.

But here’s the kicker that most people miss: March is still considered “shoulder season” in tons of places. You know what that means? Cheaper flights, emptier attractions, and locals who actually have time to chat with you because they’re not overwhelmed by tourist hordes.

I’ve been tracking my travel expenses for years (yeah, I’m that nerdy), and March consistently saves me 25-35% compared to peak season costs. Plus, you can actually breathe at famous spots instead of fighting crowds for a decent photo.

Ten March Destinations That Changed My Travel Game

Japan – Cherry Blossoms Without the Chaos

Everyone and their mother knows about Japan’s cherry blossoms, but most people get the timing all wrong. They rush to Tokyo and Kyoto in early April when prices are through the roof and you can barely see the trees through the crowds.

Here’s what I discovered during my March 2023 trip to Kumamoto: southern Japan starts blooming in late March, and it’s a completely different experience. I sat under blooming sakura trees with local families, sharing homemade onigiri and sake, while my friends who visited a month later sent me photos of packed parks and overpriced everything.

The weather hovers around 15-18°C during the day – perfect for walking around in jeans and a light sweater. Nights can be cool, but that just makes the hot ramen taste even better.

What makes March special:

• Southern regions bloom before the crowds arrive
• Hotel prices haven’t hit peak season madness
• Weather is mild enough for all-day exploring
• Local festivals happen without tourist chaos

India – When the Subcontinent Shows Its Best Face

After my May disaster, I gave India another shot in March 2019. What a difference proper timing makes. The post-winter air was so clear I could see the Himalayas from Delhi on a good day. Temperatures were sitting pretty at 22-28°C – warm enough for cotton clothes but cool enough that you won’t melt walking around.

I hit the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur) and every day felt perfect for sightseeing. The Taj Mahal at sunrise wasn’t just beautiful – it was comfortable to experience. No rushing through because of unbearable heat, no constant water breaks, just pure enjoyment.

Plus, if you time it right, you might catch Holi. Getting absolutely drenched in colored powder while dancing in the streets of Pushkar remains one of my top five travel moments ever.

Egypt – Desert Adventures Without the Furnace

I used to think Egypt was always blazing hot until my March 2022 Nile cruise. Waking up on the boat deck with temperatures around 20°C, watching the sun rise over ancient temples – that’s when Egypt really shows off.

The desert camps near the pyramids were actually pleasant at night. I’m talking perfect temperature for sitting around a fire, sharing stories with Bedouins, and stargazing without feeling like you’re in an oven. During the day, exploring tombs and temples was comfortable instead of endurance-testing.

Rain is basically non-existent, so you can plan outdoor activities without constantly checking weather apps.

Nepal – Mountain Views That’ll Ruin You for Other Landscapes

March in Nepal is pure eye candy. I trekked the Annapurna Circuit in March 2021, and every morning delivered crystal-clear mountain views that looked too perfect to be real. The rhododendrons were just starting their bloom, adding splashes of red and pink to already incredible scenery.

Weather-wise, it’s stable as a rock. Mornings start chilly (pack a good fleece), but by midday you’re hiking in a t-shirt. The monsoon hasn’t started, so trails are dry and safe.

Pro tip: Book teahouses ahead of time. March is getting more popular with smart trekkers who’ve figured out the weather secret.

Morocco – Goldilocks Zone in the Maghreb

Morocco in March feels like the country’s putting on its best behavior just for you. I spent three weeks road-tripping from Marrakech to the Sahara in March 2020 (right before the world shut down), and the weather was so consistently perfect I stopped checking forecasts altogether.

Desert days were warm but not brutal – around 25°C. Perfect for camel trekking and camping under stars. The Atlas Mountains still had snow caps, creating this incredible contrast with blooming almond trees in the valleys below.

Coastal cities like Essaouira were absolutely divine. Ocean breezes, sunny skies, and temperatures that made you want to spend entire afternoons in sidewalk cafes watching the world go by.

Chile – Harvest Season Magic in Wine Country

This one’s my sleeper pick. Chile in March is autumn perfection, especially if you’re into wine or just stunning landscapes. I spent harvest season in the Colchagua Valley, and watching sunrise over vineyards while tasting wine that was literally pressed the day before was pretty much my definition of heaven.

The Central Valley sits at perfect temperatures – 18-22°C during the day, cool enough at night that you actually want a light jacket. If you push south toward Patagonia, autumn colors are just starting their show.

Santiago is also at its best in March. The summer heat has backed off, but it’s not cold enough to be unpleasant. Perfect city weather.

Vietnam – The Whole Country at Its Best

Vietnam’s geography makes it tricky – what’s good weather in the north might be monsoon season in the south. But March? March is when all regions align in perfect harmony.

I did the classic north-to-south route in March 2018: started in chilly-but-pleasant Hanoi, enjoyed perfect beach weather in Da Nang, and finished in warm-but-not-overwhelming Ho Chi Minh City. Every region was at its best simultaneously.

Street food tastes even better when you’re not sweating buckets while eating it. Trust me on this one.

Myanmar – Stepping Back in Time

Myanmar in March feels like discovering a secret that mass tourism hasn’t ruined yet. The weather is absolutely flawless – cool mornings, warm afternoons, and practically zero rain. I spent a month there in March 2019, and it changed how I think about travel.

Bagan at sunrise, with thousands of ancient temples emerging from morning mist while hot air balloons drift overhead – that image is burned into my memory forever. And because tourist numbers are still recovering, you’ll often have incredible sites almost to yourself.

Israel and Jordan – Desert Spring Awakening

Middle Eastern spring is seriously underrated. I combined both countries in one March trip, and the weather was perfect for everything from exploring Jerusalem’s Old City to camping in Wadi Rum.

What surprised me most was how green everything was. Winter rains had done their magic, and there were wildflowers blooming in the desert. Petra was comfortable to explore all day, and the desert nights were cool enough for proper sleep.

Jordan’s desert camps were actually pleasant at night instead of furnace-hot. Sitting around fires under impossible star displays while temperatures hovered around 15°C – that’s travel perfection right there.

Argentina – Autumn Excellence Down South

Buenos Aires in March is like the city’s putting on its Sunday best. Summer’s oppressive heat has backed off, but it’s still warm enough for outdoor dining and evening strolls. I spent two weeks there, and every day felt perfect for exploring neighborhoods on foot.

Mendoza during harvest season is something special. Working (okay, pretending to work) at wineries during the day, then sharing huge meals with vintners at night while temperatures dropped to perfect sweater weather.

If you’re adventurous enough for Patagonia, March is when autumn colors start painting the landscape in impossible shades of gold and red.

Real Talk About March Travel Planning

Here’s what years of March travel have taught me about logistics:

Booking timing matters. For flights, I’ve found 6-8 weeks out hits the sweet spot between availability and pricing. Hotels can usually wait until a month before, except for places like Japan where cherry blossom season creates its own demand surge.

Pack for temperature swings. March weather can be moody. I always pack one warm layer even for “warm” destinations. Getting caught in unexpected weather without proper gear can ruin entire days.

Research local events. Some of March’s best experiences are tied to festivals or seasonal happenings. Holi in India, early sakura festivals in Japan, harvest celebrations in wine regions – these can transform a good trip into an unforgettable one.

The Uncomfortable Truths About March Travel

I’m not going to blow sunshine up your ass – March travel isn’t always perfect. Weather can be unpredictable. You might catch the tail end of winter in some places or hit early rainy season in others.

Some destinations are still transitioning between seasons, which means you might encounter closed attractions or limited services. And popular spots that have figured out March’s appeal (looking at you, cherry blossom season) can still get crowded and expensive.

But here’s what I’ve learned: those slight imperfections often create the best memories. Getting caught in an unexpected rainstorm in Marrakech led to sharing tea with a local family. A cold snap in Nepal meant hot dal bhat tasted even better around the lodge fire.

Why March Travel Will Change Your Perspective

The beauty of March travel is that you’re experiencing destinations during transition periods – when they’re most authentic and least performative. You’re not getting the polished, tourist-focused version of places. You’re seeing them as they naturally are.

Local people have time to actually interact with you because they’re not overwhelmed by peak season chaos. Restaurants serve food they want to make instead of churning out tourist favorites. Attractions operate at human scale instead of industrial tourism pace.

March taught me that perfect weather is overrated, but perfect timing is everything. It’s about finding that sweet spot where destinations reveal their authentic selves while still being comfortable and accessible.

These ten destinations represent years of trial, error, and occasional brilliance in timing. Each one offers something unique that you simply can’t get during peak seasons – whether it’s cherry blossoms without crowds, desert camping without heat stroke, or wine harvest experiences that most travelers never even know exist.

So here’s my challenge: stop waiting for “perfect” timing that never comes, and start looking for smart timing that actually exists. Pick one of these March destinations, book that ticket, and discover why this overlooked month might just become your new favorite time to travel.

Which destination caught your attention? Have you done any March travels that surprised you? I’m always looking for new March discoveries, so drop your experiences in the comments – I read every single one.