March is a strategic month. The Caribbean is still in its driest stretch, the rains haven't started in Sri Lanka, and Mexico's Riviera Maya is at its most pleasant before the spring break wave. Vietnam's central coast around Da Nang and Hoi An opens up after the winter monsoon, with calm seas returning along My Khe and An Bang. The Maldives keeps doing what it does, but March is statistically the sunniest month of the year there.
The weather, the water, the feel
Caribbean temperatures sit at 28 to 30 C. The Riviera Maya runs 28 C and dry. Sri Lanka's south coast around Mirissa and Weligama stays 30 C with sea breeze. Vietnam's central coast warms up to 28 C with the Cham Islands sea calming down enough for day trips. Maldivian sunshine peaks at around 10 hours per day this month.
Punta Cana and the Dominican north coast around Las Terrenas have warm, calm Atlantic water at this point in the year. The Caribbean side of the Riviera Maya, especially Tulum, Akumal, and Soliman Bay, is reef-protected and ideal for snorkeling. Sri Lankan south coast has small surf at Weligama and a calmer swim at Mirissa cove. The cenotes inland from Tulum stay a refreshing 24 C all year and balance hot beach afternoons.
Five destinations on the shortlist
Mexico
Riviera Maya
28 C / 82 F
Tulum south, Akumal turtles, Bacalar lagoon further south.
Caribbean
Dominican Republic
29 C / 84 F
Las Terrenas on Samana, Bayahibe for diving, Cabarete for wind sports.
South Asia
Sri Lanka
30 C / 86 F
Mirissa, Tangalle, Hiriketiya. Late March is the last clean window.
Southeast Asia
Vietnam
27 C / 81 F
Da Nang, Hoi An's An Bang Beach, Cham Islands day trip.
Indian Ocean
Maldives
30 C / 86 F
Ari Atoll manta cleaning stations are active in March.
Insider planning tips
- Avoid spring break weeks in the Riviera Maya unless you actively want the energy. Mid-March to early April is peak.
- Sri Lanka's south coast surf school season ends around early April. Book lessons in the first half of the month.
- Vietnam's Hoi An is best as a base. Da Nang for beach, Hoi An for old town, then back to the sand.
- Dominican Republic resorts vary wildly. Read recent reviews. The country is huge and one-coast advice doesn't transfer.
Where to stay
Tulum has shifted upmarket but the beach road still works if you book early. Akumal and Soliman Bay are quieter alternatives with the same warm water. Las Terrenas on Samana has French and Italian-run small hotels that beat the big chains for atmosphere. Sri Lankan boutique villas around Talalla and Dickwella are at the right price-to-quality ratio. Vietnam's An Bang Beach has a strip of family-owned homestays at half the cost of Da Nang's resorts.
Final word
March is a planner's month. The weather windows are clean if you pick the right coast on the right week.