Where's Hot in March?
By March, the novelty of woolly hats and rainy days has well and truly worn off, so you’re not alone if you’re thinking about seeking sunnier climes at this time of year. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. From inviting seas in the Maldives to wine and wildlife in South Africa, read on to find out where’s hot in March…
- Jamaica (27°C)
- The Maldives (29°C)
- Morocco (18°C)
- Sri Lanka (28°C)
- Florida (24°C)
- Vietnam (28°C)
- South Africa (22°C)
- Madeira (17°C)
1
Jamaica
Average March temperature: 27°C
Average daily sunshine hours: 12 hours
Flight time from the UK: nine hours and 50 minutes (to Montego Bay)
Jamaica holidays have our vote all year round, but particularly in March. With the promise of little rainfall, sunny skies and balmy evenings, this Caribbean gem is the ultimate springtime retreat. Retrace Bob Marley’s footsteps in the country’s charming yet chaotic capital of Kingston, escape from it all in the misty peaks of the Blue Mountains, or find a quiet spot on the silky sand of Doctor’s Cave Beach.
Fancy tapping along to the country’s soundtrack of rum-infused reggae? Head down to Tuff Gong Recording Studio for a private tour or grab a table at Escape 24/7 Bar and Grill to hear the latest beats. A couple of rum punches and Red Stripes in, and you’ll see why Kingston is one of UNESCO’s Cities of Music…
Find out more about our tailor-made trips to Jamaica.
2
The Maldives
Average March temperature: 29°C
Average daily sunshine hours: nine hours
Flight time from the UK: ten hours and 20 minutes (to Male)
Oh, the Maldives – one of the only places where you’re likely to forget that winter is even a season. Home to perhaps the most beautiful beaches in the world, this sun-soaked archipelago scores highly when it comes to climate consistency.
Spend your days lounging under coconut trees, cycling around azure atolls and diving down to dazzling coral reefs and mysterious underwater caves. The Maldivians are a friendly bunch, too – take a day trip to Hithadhoo or Keyhodoo, where tourism is surprisingly sparse, and you'll see why the Maldives hold such a special place in many travellers’ hearts.
Find out more about our tailor-made trips to the Maldives.
Image by Carlota Weber Mazuecos.
3
Morocco
Average March temperature: 18°C
Average daily sunshine hours: eight to nine hours
Flight time from the UK: four hours (to Marrakech)
For a warmer-than-home shoulder season escape, look no further than Morocco. Okay, okay, so it’s not quite the 30°C heat of the Maldives, but Morocco in March offers average highs of around 24°C, sunny days and is just a hop, skip and a four-hour flight from the UK.
Finally ready to let go of the post-Christmas cutbacks? Head to Marrakech’s main square, Djemaa el-Fna, for an all-day spending spree, stopping only to indulge in maakouda (deep-fried potato balls) under the blue skies. Or, if you’d prefer an active adventure, head to the slightly cooler Atlas Mountains, where you’ll find verdant valleys perfect for hiking.
Find out more about our tailor-made trips to Morocco.
Image by Ahmed/Unsplash.
4
Sri Lanka
Average March temperature: 28°C
Average daily sunshine hours: nine hours
Flight time from the UK: ten hours and 30 minutes (to Colombo)
Where’s hot in March, you ask? Why Sri Lanka, of course. Even with average spring temperatures of 28°C, the ‘Island of Serendipity’ is still relatively overlooked by even the most intrepid travellers. With treetop safari stays in Wilpattu National Park, beachfront bolt holes on Mirissa’s crescent coast and scenic train rides through hillside cities and dense paddies, Sri Lanka is simply irresistible. And given that the country is so accessible, you don’t have to pick just one side of its cultural triangle to explore – you can do it all. Did we mention they produce oh-so-tasty tea, too?
Find out more about our tailor-made trips to Sri Lanka.
5
Florida, USA
Average March temperature: 24°C
Average daily sunshine hours: eight hours
Flight time from the UK: nine hours and 50 minutes (to Miami)
There’s a reason why Florida is nicknamed ‘The Sunshine State’. Need a hint? Look up and you’ll see – the sun shines all year round.
While many flock to Miami’s chalk-white shores and beachfront bars, this coastal corner of the USA is much more than a student spring break destination in March. Wynwood is the hippie hub and birthplace of Miami’s contemporary art scene, Key Biscayne offers dreamy subtropical solitude amd Ocean Drive is the quintessential 1980s Art Deco boulevard, complete with an Instagram-worthy pastel trim.
Find out more about our tailor-made trips to Florida.
Image by Jérôme Galland.
6
Vietnam
Average March temperature: 28°C
Average daily sunshine hours: seven hours
Flight time from the UK: 11 hours and 45 minutes (to Hanoi)
Vietnam is our next answer for a March hot holiday – it’s the start of the warmest season, and sunny skies promise temperatures up to the mid-30s throughout the country.
While it’s hottest in southern Vietnam, we’d recommend avoiding the scorching temperatures of Ho Chi Minh City for the slightly cooler interior, where spots like Hoi An and Danang steal the show with beautiful beaches and crystal-clear water. If you can drag yourself away from the shore, there are temples to explore, night markets to mooch around and boat trips to enjoy.
Find out more about our tailor-made trips to Vietnam.
Image by Quang Tran/Unsplash.
7
South Africa
Average March temperature: 22°C
Average daily sunshine hours: nine hours
Flight time from the UK: 11 hours and 30 minutes (to Cape Town)
If it’s wildlife, wine and wonderfully warm weather you’re after, South Africa delivers in March. As it’s in the Southern Hemisphere, their March is the equivalent of the UK’s September – in Cape Town, you can expect thinning crowds and sunny (but not scorching) conditions. March highlights here include the renowned Cape Town Festival, which celebrates the city’s culture with elaborate floats and costumes.
In other areas, like the coast and Kruger National Park, March marks the end of the heavy summer rains, bringing perfect weather for spotting the ‘Big Five’ on a safari. It’s also the harvest season, so there’s no better time to clink glasses in the sunny Cape Winelands – our South Africa specialist, Jamie, recommends Babylonstoren, a scenic wine estate set in one of the oldest Cape Dutch houses in the country.
Find out more about our tailor-made trips to South Africa.
Image by Olivier Romano.
8
Madeira
Average March temperature: 17°C
Average daily sunshine hours: six hours
Flight time from the UK: four hours
Last (but definitely not least) on our list is Madeira.
Fittingly nicknamed the ‘Island of Eternal Spring’, Madeira is the perfect March destination for those who want a middle ground between the chilly temperatures in the UK and the intense heat found in the Caribbean and Asia.
Fly into Funchal, where daytime highs of 20°C are perfect for sightseeing strolls and al fresco lunches (washed down with a glass of authentic Madeira wine, of course). Then, once you’ve satisfied your city break cravings, pull on your hiking boots and wind your way along the trails that line Madeira’s picturesque north coast, stopping along the way to cool off at crystal-clear natural pools. Golden sunshine without the risk of overheating? That’s a win for us walkers.
Find out more about our tailor-made trips to Madeira.
Image by Georg KNOLL/LAIF-REA.
For more winter sun hot spots, check out our guide on where to go in winter.
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