Mexico weather in March
| Avg. temperature: 25°C / 77°F | Sun: 8.6 hrs per day (sunshine) / 12.1 hrs per day (daylight) |
| Rain: 57 mm per month | Avg. Humidity: 48% |
Visiting Mexico in March
As the spring equinox approaches in the second half of the month, if you’re thinking about going to Mexico in March, you can expect the days to get longer and warmer and the nights shorter as the season officially changes. The weather is reliably calm and dry throughout the month of March in preparation for the summer rain to roll in over the coming months.
Mexico’s temperature in March averages at around 25°C / 77°F, with coastal regions along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts heating up beyond that. For this reason the southern coasts are getting busier as the heat rises and the dry season begins to come to a close, for beach-dwellers wanting to soak up the sun before the rainy season hits in the following months.
Even the cities experience busy tourist spells as they heat up and remain dry, with Mexico City having one of its busiest periods for tourism.
Whether you’re looking for a beach break, craving some culture or angling for adventure, if you’re visiting Mexico in March you will find plenty of activities to satisfy your vacation needs. Here are some of our top picks.
Things to do in Mexico in March
Step into Spring with equinox celebrations
The Spring equinox falls on 20 or 21 March every year and is widely celebrated throughout Mexico as day and night become equal in length. Not only does it mark the beginning of longer days, it is significant in Mexico as a sign of renewal and fertility, a kind of regeneration and, specifically in agricultural industries, it is a time for planting new crops.
Ceremonies, festivals and parades are held throughout the country to celebrate the Spring equinox. You might want to consider some of the highlights, which we’ve outlined below.
Chichen Itza
This ancient Mayan city and UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Yucatan Peninsula is one of the region’s most visited archaeological sites and tourist attractions. Just over 100 from Cancun, it is believed that Chichen Itza was built as early as the 400’s and years later it became the most powerful city in the Yucatan region after it was conquered by the Toltecs.
Today, it is home to very well-maintained and restored structures and sculptures, including the iconic 30 meter high pyramid with its serpent-headed staircase. You will notice many carvings and figures in the shape of a snake – this snake is Kulkulkhan, the serpent deity worshipped by the ancient people who comes to life twice a year during the spring and autumn equinoxes.
If you’re visiting for the equinox, you’ll see how the corners of the pyramid were carefully constructed to create a serpent-like shadow (said to be that of Kulkulkhan) on the sides of El Castillo’s staircase. The site gets extremely busy on this date as visitors come in their thousands to witness the spectacle in awe, so we recommend planning your day and booking in advance to avoid disappointment.
Teotihuacan
The Teotihuacan archaeological site, just north of Mexico City, is one of the world’s most impressive, housing a 65 meter tall Pyramid of the Sun and a 43 meter tall Pyramid of the Moon, amongst other smaller temples that line the Avenue of the Dead at the heart of the city.
Given the two most significant and prominent structures located in the ancient city, you can probably already see why it is such an important and popular site to visit on the day of the equinox. Visitors scramble to the top of the temples of the Moon and the Sun, often dressed in all white or all red, and perform rituals and sun salutations to welcome the sun and absorb its energy.
Expect to see dancing, incense burning and chanting in this celebration, and to leave feeling invigorated.
Celebrate the music, theatre and culture in Mexico City
During the month of March the Festival del Centro Histórico runs for two weeks in Mexico City, and it’s the city’s biggest party of the year. It focuses around Mexico City’s historic centre and offers special stagings of various theatrical performances, concerts and musical performances, art exhibitions, dance productions and more. It’s the ideal time to immerse yourself into Mexican culture – and cuisine – as artists of every kind come together to stage this spectacular event every year.
See the jaw-dropping Jacarandas in full bloom
While you’re in Mexico City in March, it will be hard to miss the jacaranda trees that line the streets of the Mexican capital. Reminiscent of cherry blossoms in Japan, in March they come into full bloom with lovely lavender coloured petals as they impose beautifully on the streets and form a covered archway over many roads throughout the city. Definitely a photo opportunity you don’t want to miss!
Best Places to Visit in Mexico in March
For city-dwellers wanting a break from the norm, Malinalco and Chihuahua are great alternatives to Mexico City
Both have plenty of history and culture and experience great weather in March, but there’ll be significantly fewer tourists so you won’t need to battle the crowds.
West of Mexico City, Malinalco is a beautiful and charming town filled with ancient history and begging to be explored. It is known in Mexico as a “Magical Town” for its quaint beauty as it sits against a mountainous backdrop and offers peace and tranquility to its visitors. There’s an archaeological site set high above the hills, a 16th century Augustinian Convent right in the heart of the zocalo, plenty of independent, unique stores in the town and lots of local cuisine to be enjoyed in one of many restaurants on offer.
Chihuahua is a larger city in northern Mexico filled with colonial buildings and mansions and palaces that are open to the public. It has plenty of museums, a stunning cathedral that overlooks the main square and a striking Government Palace with an impressive courtyard. The city is filled with history and culture, while the outskirts of town are dotted with ranches in what is known as “Mexico’s cowboy country”. A great alternative to Mexico City, Chihuahua has plenty on offer for those looking for a city escape.
For spa-lovers seeking a relaxing retreat, head to the Tolantongo caves for the ultimate hot spring experience
Las Grutas Tolantongo in Mexico’s Mezquital Valley are best visited in March as the weather is perfect to enjoy this incredible array of hot springs that have been built into the natural landscape. Located in a canyon a few hours from the Mexican capital, the many pools sit in the cliffside and are filled with natural mineral water that is heated by the surrounding volcanoes. With waterfalls, hot springs, rivers and waterslides this is a truly mesmerising experience set in the heart of paradise, and the ideal retreat for relaxing in the wonder of nature.
The Pacific Coast is the best place to visit in Mexico in March for beach-goers
Puerto Vallarta is the Pacific Coast’s answer to Cancun, boasting miles of white sandy beaches and plenty of boutique hotels and luxurious all inclusive resorts. The Pacific ocean of the coast of Mexico is a popular spot for swimming, snorkelling and sea sports during March and the beaches are truly beautiful. Nuevo Vallarta is a little further north and features a stylish marina and lush beaches, with plenty of impressive resorts with every amenity imaginable.
Best time to visit Mexico • Jan • Feb • Mar • Apr • May • Jun • Jul • Aug • Sep • Oct • Nov • Dec