Where it's hot in March

Top 10 destinations in March

1. 1.Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

   30°1 rain dayluxury

   One of the warmer options in this selection, with little rain in the ten-year March record. Open its yearly weather view to compare March with the much hotter summer months.

2. 2.Cape Town, South Africa

   26°couples

   Late summer transitions towards autumn. Use the measured daily high and rain-day count below to compare Cape Town with the other March picks; air temperature does not describe sea temperature.

3. 3.Todos Santos, Mexico

   27°0 rain dayscouples

   Grey whales are in Magdalena Bay through early April. Onshore average is 27°C with minimal cloud. Surf at Cerritos is manageable for beginners. Rainfall is close to zero across the month.

4. 4.Luxor, Egypt

   30°0 rain daysculture

   A hot, dry option in the ten-year March record. The monthly average is not a forecast: check conditions for your dates and plan outdoor sightseeing around the cooler parts of the day.

5. 5.Marrakech, Morocco

   23°couples

   A milder option than the Gulf destinations. Compare the rain-day count and daily range alongside the average high; warm afternoons do not mean every day will feel the same.

6. 6.Seville, Spain

   20°culture

   A milder city-break option. Allow for rain and cooler evenings; the average daytime high is lower than the beach and pool-weather options above.

7. 7.Costa Rica, Pacific Coast

   32°families

   The final reliable month of the dry season. Average 32°C, consistent surf on the Nicoya coast, leatherback nesting on Playa Grande, and cloud forest trails still passable. Rainfall increases sharply from May onwards, so timing before that shift matters.

8. 8.Ko Lipe, Thailand

   34°4° daily spreaddiving

   Andaman visibility peaks in March, which is why dive operators are heavily booked. Average 34°C, moderated by sea breeze on a small island. The ferry service and most accommodation close from mid-May with the arrival of the southwest monsoon.

9. 9.Rajasthan, India

   33°culture

   Holi falls in March and is worth planning the trip around. Average 33°C, hot but workable if forts and outdoor sites are done before 10am. This is the last month before pre-monsoon heat sets in; by May daily highs commonly exceed 40°C.

10. 10.Tokyo, Japan

    15°couples

    A cooler sightseeing alternative to the warm-weather picks above. Compare its average high and daily range before packing for mornings and evenings.

March picks by traveller type

• Costa Rica, Pacific Coast

  Dry season, calm sea, and leatherbacks nesting on Playa Grande. Average 32°C, moderated by Pacific breeze. A hotel with a pool is worth prioritising for the early-afternoon window.

• Gran Canaria

  Four hours from the UK at 22°C, with a resort infrastructure aimed at families. Shoulder-season pricing is roughly half the Easter rate. The south of the island records the fewest rain days.

• Abu Dhabi

  Average 28°C, suited to pool use, with indoor museums and attractions available for the hotter hours. By July the average is 42°C, at which point outdoor activity with children becomes impractical.

March by region

Average temperatures by destination

Readings come from the last ten years of daily weather data, so they reflect the climate as it is now, not as it was decades ago. Data: Visual Crossing global historical archive. How we compute this

What to pack for March

March covers a wide temperature range. Tokyo and Kyoto require a mid-layer and a rain shell for 14°C days and colder mornings. The Gulf and North Africa need linen and one light layer for air-conditioned interiors. India and the Middle East require covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques. SPF 50 is advisable south of the Mediterranean. A compact umbrella is useful in Marrakech and on the Costa Rican coast.

Where to avoid in March

Several hot-in-March destinations are not worth the trip. The equatorial west coast of Africa (Grand-Bassam, coastal Cameroon) records 33°C with rain chance above 85 percent. Northern Australia, including Kakadu, remains in the wet season with flooded roads and access closures. Northern Thailand and northern Myanmar are in burning season, with agricultural haze affecting visibility and air quality through most of March. Chiang Mai is better visited in November.

Frequently asked

Where is the hottest place on earth in March?

The Sahel. Zakouma in Chad averages 41°C, N'Djamena 40°C, with cities across Burkina Faso, Mali and northern Cameroon in the same band. These readings represent extreme heat rather than comfortable travel conditions. They are included because the dataset covers every destination, not only those recommended for travel.

Where is warm in March without being punishing?

The Gulf and North Africa. Abu Dhabi averages 28 to 29°C with negligible rainfall, suitable for both pool use and sightseeing. Luxor averages 30°C with similarly low rain chance. Tenerife and Gran Canaria average 22°C, warm enough for walking but not for extended swimming. The Gulf is the pick if consistent swimwear temperatures matter.

Where is the best beach holiday in March?

Ko Lipe. Andaman visibility peaks in March and diving is at its annual best. Booking before the May monsoon closure is essential. For a shorter flight, the Canaries average 22°C reliably. For higher heat within a longer flight, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the main options.

When exactly do the cherry blossoms bloom in Japan in March?

Tokyo blossoms typically open in the final week of March and peak around the end of the month or the first days of April. Kyoto tracks one to two days behind. The front shifts by around a week from year to year. The Japan Meteorological Corporation publishes its forecast each January.

Is Europe worth visiting in March?

Yes, for specific trips. Seville at 21°C suits a city break. Athens allows Acropolis visits without peak summer volumes. The Canaries provide 22°C beach warmth. Evenings are cool across the region. For sunbathing conditions, destinations further south (Egypt, the Gulf) are more reliable.

Where is it reliably dry in March?

Four options. Luxor averages under one rain day for the month. Marrakech records around four, with a tight temperature swing. Abu Dhabi and the wider Gulf record close to zero rain. Tenerife and Gran Canaria average three to four rain days at 22°C. These are the picks when dry conditions matter more than heat.