March is one of the best months for budget traveling since it is well before the summer season and the winter crowds in the tropical areas begin to thin out at the same time. Through much of Latin America you can find perfect weather with off-peak hotel prices. For travelers starting in North America and Europe you’ll discover that most of these places require long flight to get there, but that’s the price you pay for warm weather in March, and those travelers who stay for at least two weeks can easily justify the airfare by cheap prices they pay in a place they have arrived.
The Caribbean
If you are looking for relaxation on a beach in the warm weather then the Caribbean is your best choice in March. Obviously most of its islands are rather expensive, but others continue to be great bargains. Jamaica and the Dominican Republic are rather cheap in general, with several resort areas being surprisingly inexpensive.
You won’t believe this but the cheapest option for most tourists is going to be an all-inclusive resort. Most of them have competitive rates so they often cost a little more than resorts where everything is sold separately. Specifically in Mexico near Cancun and on the Dominican Republic, you can afford an all-inclusive room for two beginning not much over $100 per night in March. Nicer prices begin closer to $200 per night for two travelers, which is still rather cheap as it includes all food and alcohol.
Ambergris Caye, Belize
- March avg high: 79F/26C
- March avg low: 74F/23C
March is definitely part of high season in Belize, so it’s so nice that even during this period it’s quite cheap. The weather keeps perfect day and night with almost no raining days. Keep in mind that San Pedro on Ambergis Caye is the most expensive part of the island so budget travelers and backpackers must go to Caye Caulker very nearby for lower prices and similar conditions.
Belize is one of the cheapest Caribbean places to visit, and the offshore islands have quite a Caribbean feel in spite of being surrounded by Latin America. There are awesome resorts for tourists willing to spend more, but even the cheaper hotels are decent, and very nice bargains even during high season.
San Jose, Costa Rica
- March avg high: 79F/26C
- March avg low: 59F/15C
While the capital of Costa Rica isn’t that special on its own, San Jose is where most travelers will be landing first and the weather there is a bit cooler than most beach cities. All of Costa Rica is still on high season in March, but is still rather cheap by most standards so it’s worth visiting for sure.
The beaches, especially those on the Pacific side, are perfect for surfing and the entire country is filled with canopy tours and adventure activities, so it’s a rather big with the Spring Break crowd as well as before and after. Still it’s difficult to find this perfect weather and more to like in such a cheap country so close to the USA in March.
Mexico City, Mexico
- March avg high: 78F/26C
- March avg low: 49F/9C
Due to its elevation, Mexico City is cool in winter, but by March the days get warmer enough that it will feel great when visiting this place. It’s underrated as a cultural destination by tourists who might be afraid of the worst, and the city center is very safe by almost all standards.
The meals, the nightlife and the shopping are good reasons to visit Mexico City at any time of the year. Probably best of all, it’s all very cheap in comparison with most of Latin America so you can splurge a little while still keeping on budget traveling.
Lima, Peru
- March avg high: 80F/27C
- March avg low: 69F/21C
As a very popular summer destination for Americans, Lima can be rather crowded from December to February, but in March the crowds are disappearing and hotel prices are getting lower, in spite of the continuing perfect weather. This is a historic colonial city that also has very bright nightlife and delicious meals at very good prices.
Most tourists who go to Lima from far away will do it as a part of a tour of South America, and it’s a perfect stop for at least a few days. Remember that the rainy season in Cusco starts in March, so the trails can sometimes be cut off, though lots of travelers go anyway.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
- March avg high: 84F/27C
- March avg low: 63F/17C
Despite March is actually the wettest month in Buenos Aires, travelers notice that rainfall is fairly consistent all year round. The temperatures in March are rather perfect and lots of South American tourists have come back home by this time so hotel prices are lower.
Buenos Aires looks a bit expensive by South American standards, but it’s really can be compared to Europe since that’s how it looks and feels; which still makes it an awesome bargain. Meals and drinks are good and cheap so you will feel like splurging even keeping your budget low.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- March avg high: 90F/32C
- March avg low: 73F/23C
With Carnival that takes place in the middle to late February, March is a perfect time to visit Rio de Janeiro while the crowds have disappeared and the weather is a bit more bearable as well. It will be raining, but Rio is in the Tropics so it tends to come and go fast, usually in the late afternoon.
Rio de Janeiro has increased in price in recent years so it isn’t the bargain it once was. Budget travelers can still go there if they stay inland from the beaches or even in the city center area, but those tourists who wish to take part in the good life in Copacabana and Ipanema most days will pay more for it.