With the United States and Canada either being frozen or expensive (south Florida) this time of year, you’ll want to head to Latin America or the Caribbean for the best bargains with sunny and warm weather.
>>>19 Cheap and warm Easter and Spring Break destinations around the world
The Caribbean
For Americans, Canadians, and Europeans, the closest and best place to find a beach to relax on in March is in the Caribbean and we discuss the most popular options below. All-inclusive resorts are continuing to gain in popularity and are a great choice for those who like to have more than a drink or two each day.
Easter Week is March 24 to 31 in 2024 and those are popular dates in the Caribbean, but the two weeks before that are also popular for Spring Breakers from North Americans schools, so the whole month is going to be reasonably crowded in 2024.
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Cancun, Mexico
- March avg high: 86°F/30°C
- March avg low: 71°F/22°C
- March avg precip: 2.1″/5.3cm
March is still part of the high season in Cancun and all over the Caribbean, but it’s still very good value and prices are lower than during the Christmas weeks. The middle two weeks of March are very popular with Spring Break crowds in Cancun, so it’s best to book early if you want to visit in that period. Easter is March 31 in 2023, but most Spring breakers still come in the middle of March, so take that into account when you book. Aside from that, you can still find pretty good deals to Cancun as well as nearbyPlaya del CarmenandCozumeleven a few weeks out.
Cancun is one of the best places to travel in March because the airport is the busiest in the entire region so it has more direct flights in from key hubs in North America and Europe than any other destination nearby. This keeps flights cheaper than to most islands, and easier to find as well. There are also some good all-inclusive resorts in the Cancun area, though they don’t offer quite the great value that those in Punta Cana (below) do.
Since Cancun is so popular and such a large area I have put together a guide to choosing where to stay in the Cancun area, which should be helpful. There are 7 different areas to choose from and depending on your tastes, some are much better than others. The room rates quoted below are for the Downtown Cancun area, which does actually have some small resorts with rooftop pools and such along with good restaurants and affordable nightlife. The other areas are at least a bit more expensive, and many are MUCH more expensive.
- 3-star hotels from: US$36 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$112 per night for two people
- 4-star all-inclusive hotels from: US$222 per night for two people
>>Cancun prices
>>>Check current Cancun resort and package deals
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
- March avg high: 85°F/29°C
- March avg low: 72°F/22°C
- March avg precip: 1.0″/2.5cm
Again, March is part of the high season in Punta Cana and the middle weeks of the month are very popular for Spring Breakers, but still Punta Cana is the best-value destination in the Caribbean for larger resorts and especially for all-inclusive resorts. The rates drop down in summer but then it’s also hotter with some chance of rainfall, so March really is an ideal month to take advantage of the perfect dry weather and reasonable prices.
The resort hotels along the stretch of Punta Cana beaches tend to be large, with many having well over 500 rooms to go along with multiple pools and extensive recreational facilities. Many resorts here are also very family oriented so they could be ideal for a holiday with the kids or even the extended family. Flights into the Punta Cana airport are also among the cheaper fares into the Caribbean, with many direct flights from large hubs, so this is a good choice for many types of travelers.
Honestly, the best deals in Punta Cana are at the all-inclusive hotels, many of which are run by large Spanish resort chains. Even in March you can find places starting around US$200 per night for two people, including tax. If you don’t drink alcohol you can save a bit at one of the resorts that only includes breakfast, but the all-inclusive places are so efficient that you won’t save much anyway. We also rank Punta Cana tops on our list of the best family-friendly destinations in the Caribbean for kids.
- 3-star hotels from: US$53 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$129 per night for two people
- 4-star all-inclusive hotels from: US$239 per night for two people
>>Check current Punta Cana resort and package deals
Montego Bay, Jamaica
- March avg high: 85°F/29°C
- March avg low: 72°F/22°C
- March avg precip: 0.8″/2.0cm
Montego Bay is along the northern coast of Jamaica, which is a long way from the capital, and this is the major hub for all foreign tourists. The large and busy airport here has direct flights in from many destinations in North America and Europe, so fares tend to be reasonable, even for a trip of just a long weekend. The greater Montego Bay area has hundreds of hotels in all price ranges, from modest places a few blocks off the beach up to luxury resorts that you’ll never want to leave. In fact, Jamaica has 2 of our 11 most luxurious all-inclusive resorts in the entire Caribbean, including one in Montego Bay itself.
If Montego Bay itself doesn’t sound perfect then you might instead considerNegrilorOcho Rios, both of which are about 90 minutes from the same airport and each has a different feel. All combined there are about 500 hotels to choose from, including many all-inclusives, so it can be worth checking each of the 3 areas (that are all served by the same airport) and picking the deal that suits you best. If you want to stay in a large resort then the northern coast can be a great choice, but if you want to stay in a smaller hotel and sample some Jamaican culture, then Negril is by far the best choice of the three.
- 3-star hotels from: US$83 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$197 per night for two people
- 4-star all-inclusive hotels from: US$414 per night for two people
>>Check current Montego Bay resort and package deals
Los Cabos, Mexico
- March avg high: 80°F/27°C
- March avg low: 56°F/14°C
- March avg precip: 0.1″/0.2cm
For those in the western half of the US or Canada, Puerto Vallarta (see below) has long been the best choice of a Mexican resort town, but Los Cabos on the southern tip of Baja California is also definitely worth considering. Los Cabos is actually the name of the twin towns of Cabo San Lucas, which is built around a busy and gorgeous marina, and San Jose del Cabo, which is mostly newer and close to the airport. There are also dozens of great beach resorts on the southern coast between them as north of Cabo San Lucas as well.
Even though Cabo is in the Tropics, the March weather is still fairly mild. The days are pleasantly warm and perfect for the beach, while the evenings are a bit chilly and you’ll want to bring a jacket or sweater. This is perfect for those of us who don’t like to sweat in the tropical evenings in the Caribbean.
If you are interested in shopping and the party scene then you’ll feel most at home near the marina in Cabo San Lucas, but if you want something quiet on an uncrowded beach, you’ll be better off almost anywhere else in the area.
- 3-star hotels from: US$79 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$227 per night for two people
- 4-star all-inclusive hotels from: US$365 per night for two people
>>>Check current Cabo resort and package deals
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- March avg high: 85°F/29°C
- March avg low: 62°F/17°C
- March avg precip: 0.1″/0.3cm
The Caribbean destinations listed above are ideal for most people in the eastern half of the US or Canada, as well as those in Europe. But anyone starting in the western half of the US or Canada should consider Puerto Vallarta as a probable first choice. Flights will be shorter and cheaper, and PV has many benefits over the others as well.
Among the great things about Puerto Vallarta is that it has a real historic town at its core so there are good sights, interesting restaurants, and great shopping there. Hotels are spread all up and down the coast, with a new area of posh hotels well north of the airport. As you can see by the hotel prices below, there is a huge difference between a 3-star, which is often an older traditional hotel, and a 4-star, which is usually a modern chain hotel on its own section of beach. The area has an increasing number of fully all-inclusive hotels as well, some starting at very affordable rates. The Puerto Vallarta area is fun to explore and generally very safe, but all-inclusive resorts can be a great choice for many travelers as well.
- 3-star hotels from: US$44 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$159 per night for two people
- 4-star all-inclusive hotels from: US$156 per night for two people
>>Check current Puerto Vallarta resort and package deals
Ambergris Caye, Belize
- March avg high: 79°F/26°C
- March avg low: 74°F/23°C
- March avg precip: 1.9″/4.8cm
March is definitely part of high season in Belize, so it’s a good thing that even during this period it’s fairly cheap by most standards. The weather is perfect – day and night – with almost no chance of rain. San Pedro on Ambergris Caye is the most expensive part of the country so backpackers and budget travelers are advised to head to Caye Caulker, very nearby, instead, for lower prices and a similar vibe.
Belize is definitely one of thecheapest Caribbean destinations, and the offshore islands actually do have quite a Caribbean feel in spite of being surrounded by Latin America. There are wonderful resorts here for those willing to spend more, but even the cheaper hotels are decent, and very good bargains even in high season.
- 3-star hotels from: US$120 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$191 per night for two people
>>Ambergris Caye prices
>>>Check current Ambergris Caye/San Pedro hotel and package deals
Guanacaste, Costa Rica
- March avg high: 96°F/36°C
- March avg low: 71°F/22°C
- March avg precip: 0.2″/0.5cm
We used to list San Jose, Costa Rica on this list, but the capital isn’t all that charming and those coming in March are probably more interested in a beach vacation than an adventure trip anyway. The Liberia Airport is very close to the Guanacaste beach resort communities, so it’s far more convenient than flying into the capital as well.
Hotels here run the gamut of prices, from simple and traditional beach shacks all the way up to posh chain hotels with all the luxuries. You don’t have to spend much to enjoy the friendly towns and great March weather, but the top places are good value even at the higher rates. Like so many other places, you pretty much get what you pay for in Guanacaste. In other words, a US$200 per night resort is going to be WAY nicer than a US$95 per night hotel a couple blocks inland. The area now has quite a few all-inclusive resorts at very tempting prices, although rates seem quite high in March, 2024 for some reason.
- 3-star hotels from: US$67 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$190 per night for two people
- 4-star all-inclusive hotels from: US$522 per night for two people
>>Guanacaste prices
>>>Check current Guanacaste and Tamarindo hotel and package deals
Mexico City, Mexico
- March avg high: 78°F/26°C
- March avg low: 49°F/9°C
- March avg precip: 0.4″/1.0cm
Due to its elevation, Mexico City is fairly cool during winter, but by March the days have warmed up enough that it will feel great when arriving from a cold climate. This city is routinely underrated as a cultural destination by those who might fear the worst, and the city center is very safe by almost any standard.
The food, the nightlife, and the shopping are other great reasons to visit Mexico City at any time of year. Perhaps best of all, it’s all very cheap compared to most of Latin America so you can afford to splurge a bit while still keeping costs down. If you know how to speak at least some Spanish you’ll be even better off because English isn’t widely spoken outside of larger hotels and restaurants. Hotel rates in March of 2024 are looking very reasonable so this could be a great year to visit.
- 3-star hotels from: US$37 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$59 per night for two people
>>Mexico City prices
>>>Check current Mexico City hotel and package deals
Cartagena, Colombia
- March avg high: 86°F/30°C
- March avg low: 77°F/25°C
- March avg precip: 0.1″/0.3cm
Cartagena is an excellent choice for a late-winter vacation as the weather is still pretty much perfect and yet hotel prices are starting to ease off of their high-season levels. There are great deals on beach hotels in this city from 2-star all the way up to 5-stars, and airfare prices are often cheaper than you’d expect as well.
Another key feature about this city is that it’s a cultural destination in addition to being a great beach spot so you can explore the historic city center and include some culture on an otherwise hedonistic getaway. The beaches in the city aren’t the fluffy white sand you might dream about, but there is so much to see and do in this place that you might not notice. As long as you can get an affordable flight, Cartagena could be the cheapest beach destination in the Caribbean, at least as long as you don’t need a high-rise hotel on the sand. There are some really nice all-inclusive resorts at good prices, but overall Punta Cana is similar in price and probably better value.
- 3-star hotels from: US$44 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$100 per night for two people
- 4-star all-inclusive hotels from: US$260 per night for two people
>>Cartagena prices
>>>Check current Cartagena hotel and package deals
Lima, Peru
- March avg high: 80°F/27°C
- March avg low: 69°F/21°C
- March avg precip: 0.0″/0.0cm
As a very popular summer destination for South Americans, Lima can be quite crowded from December through February, but by March the crowds are thinning out and hotel prices are falling a bit, in spite of the continuing perfect weather. This is another historic colonial city that also has very good nightlife and excellent food at very good prices.
Most people who visit Lima from far away will do it as part of a tour of South America, and in that context it’s a great stop for at least a few days. By the way, the rainy season inCuscogoes on in March, so the trails can sometimes be cut off, although many people go anyway. Hotels in March of 2024 are great bargains compared to previous years so this could be a great time to include Peru in a trip of South America.
- 3-star hotels from: US$35 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$58 per night for two people
>>Lima prices
>>>Check current Lima hotel and package deals
Santiago, Chile
- March avg high: 80°F/27°C
- March avg low: 51°F/11°C
- March avg precip: 0.1″/0.3cm
Santiago is far enough south that it’s starting to cool off just a bit by March, which is a good thing because it’s even more pleasant. This is another city that is popular with South Americans during their summer so hotel prices start coming down and crowds start thinning out by March, making it an ideal time to come. There’s almost zero threat of rain, and evenings are pleasantly cool.
Another feature of Santiago is that it’s the gateway to several different other destinations within Chile so many people come and stay for just a few days before heading on to a mountain resort or the colonial city ofValparaiso.
- 3-star hotels from: US$54 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$75 per night for two people
>>Santiago prices
>>>Check current Santiago hotel and package deals
Buenos Aires, Argentina
- March avg high: 84°F/27°C
- March avg low: 63°F/17°C
- March avg precip: 5.3″/13.3cm
Though March is actually the wettest month in Buenos Aires, visitors are unlikely to notice because rainfall is fairly consistent through the year. Again, the temperatures in March are pretty much ideal and many South American tourists have gone back home by now so hotel prices are a bit lower.
As of late 2023, Argentina is once again in the throes of a financial and currency crisis with prices shooting up and the currency going down by just as much every month. The great news for international visitors is that Buenos Aires is now insanely cheap, especially if you bring US currency or Euros and exchange money at the “Blue dollar” when you arrive. It sounds sketchy but it’s actually just part of life in Argentina these days. Still, do some research on changing money at the blue rate and you’ll be in for one of the cheapest holidays of your life.
- 3-star hotels from: US$56 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$82 per night for two people
>>Buenos Aires prices
>>>Check current Buenos Aires hotel and package deals
Bariloche, Argentina
- March avg high: 66°F/19°C
- March avg low: 39°F/4°C
- March avg precip: 1.0″/2.5cm
If you are flying in from a long distance to visit Buenos Aires then you’ll probably also want to include a side trip to Bariloche. This is a mountain resort that is popular all year round since the water activities morph into ice and snow activities in the winter (June through August). March is actually a shoulder-season month here, so room rates will be even lower than they are in summer and winter.
Bariloche is also unusual in that it was once a German community and there are still many chocolate shops around town as a reminder. The value here is excellent and it will provide a nice contrast from your other stops in South America.
You might also consider includingMendozaon your trip, which is the main wine region of Argentina, and also good value. A short side trip (by air) to Iguazu Falls can be wonderful if you’ve got at least two extra days. Nominal hotel rates in 2024 are looking pretty high in March so remember that if you pay in cash after you’ve exchanged it in Argentina you can basically be paying half the prices mentioned below.
- 3-star hotels from: US$95 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$167 per night for two people
>>Bariloche prices
>>>Check current Bariloche hotel and package deals
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- March avg high: 90°F/32°C
- March avg low: 73°F/23°C
- March avg precip: 5.1″/12.8cm
With Carnival going on in mid February in 2024, Rio de Janeiro will be much less crowded in March. There will be some rain, but Rio is in the Tropics so it tends to come and go quickly, usually in the late afternoon.
Rio de Janeiro seems a bit cheaper in 2024 than it had been in the last few years as hotel deals seem easy to find. Budget travelers can still do well here if they stay inland from the beaches or even in the city center area, but those who want to participate in the good life in Copacabana and Ipanema most days will be paying more for it. On the other hand, petty crime is an issue in this city and tourists can be targeted so do a bit of research and be alert in order to stay safe.
- 3-star hotels from: US$51 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$72 per night for two people
>>Rio de Janeiro prices
>>>Check current Rio de Janeiro hotel and package deals
