Is Mexico in March A Good Idea? What to Expect, Pack and Do

I’ve visited Mexico in March more than once and at this point it’s become one of my favorite months to be there. March falls right in the dry season, so the weather is warm, predictable, and sunny across most of the country.

I’ve experienced March in Mexico City, Oaxaca City, Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita and the surrounding Nayarit region. Each place has its own rhythm, but the overall feel of March as I’ve experienced it has been consistently wonderful.

If you’re planning a trip during this time of year and want a sense of what it’s actually like on the ground, here’s what you can expect.

What the Weather Actually Feels Like Across Mexico in March

The weather shifts slightly from region to region, but the through-lines are warm and dry.

In Mexico City, March days are warm and sunny, usually landing somewhere in the 70s or low 80s Fahrenheit. Because of the elevation, mornings and evenings cool off, but not dramatically.

A woman poses next to the large black and green CDMX sign near a lake in Chapultepec Park, with trees, paddle boats, and city buildings visible in the distance. — In Chapultepec Park

You can walk around neighborhoods like Roma and Condesa comfortably for hours. The air feels dry, not humid, which makes exploring especially comfortable.

Oaxaca City is noticeably hotter. When I was there in March, afternoons regularly reached the upper 70s and 80s, and the sun felt stronger.

A quiet city street lined with historic buildings painted in warm colors, including a domed structure in the distance. Parked cars and a yellow taxi sit along the cobblestone road beneath a partly cloudy sky. — Oaxaca City

It’s the kind of dry heat where a wide-brimmed hat, breathable fabrics, and shade make a big difference.

If you’re visiting Oaxaca City this time of year, I definitely recommend staying somewhere with AC!

On the Pacific coast, in Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita and nearby towns, the weather is in classic beach mode. The sun is strong, the ocean is swimmable, and the afternoons settle solidly in the 80s. Nights stay balmy, too.

Rows of palm trees and empty lounge chairs line a peaceful sandy beach at sunset, with soft pink and blue hues in the sky and beach umbrellas folded for the evening. — Pacific Coast

What to Wear in Mexico in March

Packing for March in Mexico depends more on type of destination than on temperatures, since most places are warm. What changes is the vibe.

For Cities

Mexico City has a polished, urban feel where you’ll likely walk miles without realizing it. I felt most comfortable in lightweight long pants or jeans, simply structured tops and close-toed shoes.

Because CDMX has great restaurants, museums and shows, having a couple of slightly nicer outfits will help you transition into evening activities. For more tips on what to wear in Mexico City in March don’t miss this guide.

A woman in a black dress stands in front of the famous Casa de los Azulejos in Mexico in March, its walls covered in intricate blue and white Talavera tiles with geometric patterns. — In front of House of Tiles, CDMX

While I was in Oaxaca City, most days I wore maxi dresses and skirts with sandals and switched to lightweight pants in the evenings. Oaxaca is also a place where dressing a bit more modestly feels both comfortable and appropriate.

Hemlines are a little longer, fabrics a little breezier. If you’re embarking on day trips, cooking classes, or mezcal tours you’ll want clothes you can move around in easily.

A woman takes a mirror selfie indoors, wearing sunglasses, a white top, and a flowing red skirt with a red backpack, standing in front of a wooden-framed mirror. — Setting out for a day of strolling through Oaxaca City

For the Coast

Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita are warm enough in March that swimwear, cover-ups, and light dresses or shorts will take you through the entire day.

A light layer is helpful for potentially cooler nights, and sun protection becomes essential.

One thing I’m glad I brought on my last March trip was my personal-item-sized backpack. I traveled with only that bag for about two weeks through Oaxaca City and Mexico City, and it held so much more than I expected.

It’s since become one of my travel staples and has come with me to Japan and through multiple countries in Europe. If you’re trying to pack lighter, this is a great season to try it out since everything you need is likely lightweight anyway.

What Surprised Me About Crowds in March

Crowds vary quite a bit depending on where you go, but overall March feels lively rather than overwhelming.

A rooftop view of the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral bathed in warm sunset light, with agave plants in the foreground and long shadows stretching across the empty Zócalo. — View from Balcon de Zocalo in CDMX

Mexico City absorbs tourism well because it’s so large. Museums, parks and neighborhoods feel bustling but not packed.

The one exception is dining: popular restaurants book up fast. If there’s a tasting menu you’re dreaming about, make reservations early.

Oaxaca City felt comfortable and spacious in March, but tours and classes filled quickly. I ended up grabbing one of the last spots in a cooking class I wanted, and it made me realize how important it is to plan ahead if your dates aren’t flexible.

Colorful buildings line a cobblestone street in Oaxaca at sunset, with yellow trees and a rooftop restaurant glowing under string lights as the sun sets behind the hills. — View of Oaxaca City from a rooftop restaurant

The biggest surprise was Sayulita. My friend and I booked a last-minute weekend trip there in March and found almost no reasonably priced accommodation options available.

We ended up staying in a private room at the Selina hostel, which happened to be right next to a party that went on until the middle of the night.

Sayulita in March is fun, colorful, and lively, but if you’re not looking for a party scene, book early and stay a little outside the center.

A narrow cobblestone street in Mexico shaded by papel picado banners in rainbow colors, casting intricate shadows on the ground. The vibrant decorations hang between colorful buildings and palm leaves under bright midday sun. — Sayulita

Puerto Vallarta was also lively in March, though more spread out. It wasn’t my favorite long-term base in Mexico, but it’s still easy to enjoy for a shorter beach getaway.

Surprisingly, although March overlaps with spring break, I didn’t personally see huge spikes in crowds directly connected to it. At least, not in the destinations I visited.

The Best Things to Do in Mexico in March

In March, you could align your exact travel dates and locations within Mexico with several seasonal happenings. But there are plenty of great year-round activities to enjoy as well.

Exterior view of Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City, partially hidden by tall trees, with its brick and stone facade and a sign with entry rules near the entrance. — Chapultepec Castle

Seasonal Highlights

The spring equinox, which usually falls around March 20 or 21, brings a special energy to many archaeological sites. Places like Chichén Itzá, Dzibilchaltún and Teotihuacán see visitors gathering to commemorate the occasion together.

Early March is also the tail end of monarch butterfly season. In parts of the State of Mexico and Michoacán, millions of them gather in forest sanctuaries before migrating north.

If your timing aligns, viewing the migration could be something to cross off the bucket list.

Along the coast, March is still a great month for whale watching. In Baja California Sur, gray whales are active, and earlier in the month you can often still spot humpback whales near Puerto Vallarta.

(After feeling super nauseous during whale watching in Boston, I personally don’t plan to ever go whale-watching again! If you have a tendency toward seasickness, plan accordingly!)

Year-Round Things to do in Mexico

Add long neighborhood walks, afternoons in Chapultepec Park and adventurous day trips to your Mexico City itinerary.

Swimming at Grutas de Tolantongo with warm March air around us felt especially memorable.

People relax in tiered turquoise pools carved into a mountainside at Tolantongo hot springs, surrounded by trees and rugged cliffs under a bright blue sky. — Las Grutas de Tolantongo

Oaxaca City in March is full of flavor, literally and metaphorically. Cooking classes, markets, mezcal tours and a day trip to Hierve el Agua were some of the highlights from my own visit there in March.

A woman in a pink apron presses a yellow tortilla on a blue tortilla press during a hands-on cooking class, with white and blue papel picado banners hanging above in a shaded open-air setting. — Using the tortilla press at a cooking class in Oaxaca City

On the coast, Puerto Vallarta’s sunset boat tour was one of the most beautiful nighttime activities I’ve done.

When you go, make sure to lean over and take a look at the water after the sun sets. You might get lucky like us and see bioluminescence!

I also recommend eating at: Cafe des Artistes, Barcelona Tapas and Las Palapas.

A colorful cylindrical building adorned with geometric street art and a pixelated black-and-white portrait of a face. The structure resembles a castle turret and is part of a cafe, with umbrellas and plants surrounding the entrance. — Cafe des Artistes, Puerto Vallarta

Sayulita’s colorful streets, cafés (go to Miscelanea for breakfast!), shops and surfers created a laid-back contrast to my city-based days.

I also loved a quiet, luxurious stay in Punta de Mita, which offered a completely different pace from the rest of the coast.

Would I visit Mexico in March again?

Absolutely. March is one of the most enjoyable, reliable and energizing months to be in Mexico.

The weather is warm across nearly every region, outdoor activities feel comfortable and the seasonal experiences add something special that you won’t get year-round.