Where to Go in Latin America in March
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March is a month of graceful transitions. The Southern Hemisphere slides from summer into early autumn, the grape harvest gets underway in Argentina’s wine country, and Mexico and the Caribbean are still enjoying their dry season. It’s a smart shoulder-ish month with plenty to celebrate — and a few fewer elbows than February.
Mendoza
Harvest season in Mendoza generally runs from about February into April, and the Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia — the region’s grape harvest festival — usually peaks in early March with parades, the crowning of a harvest queen and a grand theatrical finale in an open-air amphitheater. Exact dates vary, so check the current program.
Harvest time is also good for outdoor adventures: rafting on the Mendoza River, horseback rides in the foothills, and the drive toward Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Americas, on the road to Chile.
Beyond the festivities, it’s a beautiful time for vineyard visits in Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, with the Andes as a backdrop and vines heavy with fruit. Our Mendoza guide has the wine-region breakdown.
Buenos Aires
By March, the worst of the summer heat has usually eased and porteños are back from their beach holidays, which means cafés, milongas and parrillas are buzzing again. It’s lovely weather for walking Palermo’s leafy streets, browsing San Telmo’s antiques and staying out for a very late dinner.
Late summer is also a fine moment for day trips — the Tigre Delta, just north of the city, is at its leafiest, and the ferry across the Río de la Plata to Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay makes an easy excursion.
Pair it with Mendoza for a classic wine-and-city trip — they’re about a two-hour flight apart. Read our Buenos Aires guide.
Riviera Maya
March is still dry season on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, with warm water and sunny days before the heavier heat of late spring. It’s a great time for cenote swimming, exploring the ruins at Tulum and Cobá, and slow beach days from Playa del Carmen south toward Tulum.
Spring break and Semana Santa (March or April, depending on the year) can bring crowds, and seaweed (sargassum) varies from year to year — check current conditions. See our Riviera Maya guide.
Galápagos
The islands’ warm season runs roughly from December to May, bringing calmer seas, warmer water for snorkeling and greener landscapes after occasional showers. March is a comfortable time to be on the water, especially if you’re prone to seasickness, and marine iguanas and sea lions are reliably good company year-round.
Warm-season sunshine also makes for inviting beaches, such as Tortuga Bay on Santa Cruz, and the highlands where giant tortoises roam are lush and green.
Visitor rules and fees are set by the national park, so confirm current requirements. Our Galápagos guide explains cruise versus land-based trips.
Paraty
As Brazilian summer winds down, Paraty’s colonial center — roughly halfway between Rio and São Paulo — starts to feel more relaxed. The water is still warm for schooner days among the bay’s islands and beaches, and the forested hills of the Costa Verde stay lush and dramatic.
The car-free historic center, with its whitewashed buildings and big uneven paving stones, is made for slow, sensible-shoes wandering. Inland, the hills hide waterfalls and cachaça distilleries worth an afternoon.
Late-summer showers are possible, so keep your plans flexible. The Paraty guide covers beaches, waterfalls and day trips.
Mexico City
Late winter into spring is jacaranda season in Mexico City, when purple blossoms line avenues and parks; timing varies a little each year but often peaks around March. It’s also the dry season, with warm, clear afternoons ideal for museums, markets and neighborhood wandering in Roma, Condesa and Coyoacán.
Spring is also an ideal time for a day trip to the pyramids of Teotihuacan, about an hour northeast of the city, before summer rains set in. Go early to beat the heat and the crowds.
Mornings can be hazy, so save rooftop views for later in the day. Start with our Mexico City guide.
Plan it
March is a flexible month, but a few things help:
- Check Vendimia and Semana Santa dates — both move around and affect availability.
- Pack for two seasons if you’re combining Argentina with Mexico or the Caribbean.
- Verify park rules for the Galápagos and other protected areas before booking.
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