Best Places to Travel in March

1. Panama

Panama can sometimes be overlooked by other destinations in Central America, but it has so much to offer - especially during the dry season of March. It's an easy destination to travel to (you can take a direct flight from some U.S. cities) with warm weather, rainforests full of diverse animal life and delicious cuisine for a reasonable price. No need to exchange money as Panama’s local currency is the U.S. Dollar. Enjoy your resort pools, the beach or partake in a few of the recommended tours below.

What to do:

• Panama Canal Partial Tour: Northbound or Southbound direction

• Lake Gatun Wildlife Tour from Panama City

• All-Inclusive Full-Day Taboga Island Catamaran Tour from Panama City

Where to stay:

• Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo

• American Trade Hotel

• Nayara Bocas del Toro (adults only)

2. Ireland

Having been to Ireland in March, it’s truly a bucket-list-worthy addition to experience the St. Patrick’s Day celebration abroad. Check out the biggest parade ever and the Dublin festivities, including Irish step dancing, pints of Guinness and the holiday cheer before moving on to explore other areas in beautiful Ireland. Top attractions include Cliffs of Moher, Blarney Castle, Kilkenny and Galway.

What to do:

• Take a Northern Ireland Highlights Day Trip Including Giant’s Causeway

• Try a Cliffs of Moher, The Burren, Wild Atlantic and Galway Tour

• Take a Book of Kells, Guinness Distillery and Castle Tour

Where to stay:

• The Westbury

• Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin

• The Dean Galway

3. Savannah, Georgia

A beautiful coastal city and the perfect spot for a family getaway, Savannah gets a spot on the list for being one of the best travel destinations of March! Put on your comfy pants and head to Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room (get in line early) or Paula Deen’s The Lady and Sons for the most delicious Southern comfort food. Head to Tybee Island for a relaxing day at the beach, or wander through Forsyth Park to see the picturesque, shaded oak trees covered in Spanish moss. Savannah is a wonderful city with delicious food and plenty of activities for the family to enjoy!

What to do:

• Head out on a 2-Hour Explore Savannah Bike Tour

• Try a Historic Savannah Theater 3-Hour Investigation

• Take a Bonaventure Cemetery Tour

• Head to Tybee Island for some relaxing beach time.

Where to stay:

• Andaz Savannah

• Kimpton Brice Hotel

• Hyatt Regency Savannah

4. Japan

Head to Japan in March to see the iconic cherry blossoms. You’ll enjoy comfortable Spring weather and still have the opportunity to ski if you desire. Japan is wonderful year-round, but in early March you may be able to avoid some of the crowds and have the opportunity to experience both Winter and Japanese Spring. If you plan a visit during early March, you’ll be in season for the Inabe Plum Festival and Omizutori, a festival to welcome spring.

What to do:

• Head out on a 1-day tour of Mt. Fuji and Hakone

• Enjoy a private Japanese cooking class with a local

• Head to Kyoto to explore the temples, shrines and cultural attractions

• Visit teamlab Planets

Where to stay:

• The Peninsula Tokyo

• Hyatt Centric Ginza Tokyo

• Hyatt Regency Kyoto

5. Phuket, Thailand

Phuket is incredible and a bucket-list destination for many. While it does take effort to travel there, Phuket is well worth it and full of relaxation, adventure and valuable experiences. Visiting Phuket in March is the start of the hot season and you’ll be greeted with sunshine and ideal conditions for water activities. March will also be slightly less crowded than during the winter months. I truly enjoyed my time there and only wish I had the opportunity to stay on the island a bit longer!

What to do:

• Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip from Phuket

• Phang Nga and James Bond's Island from Phuket

Where to stay:

• Rosewood Phuket

• InterContinental Phuket Resort

• Twin Palms Phuket

6. Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Fly into Cancun and hop on a brief 30-minute ferry over to the beautiful island of Isla Mujeres, the “Island of Women”. With amazing beaches, snorkeling and scuba diving, this is a great place to warm up in March with temperatures in the mid-80s throughout the daytime. Beautiful coral reefs, crystal blue water and a quiet alternative to Cancun, you won’t regret this pick! Isla Mujeres is also a great option for families as it is a relatively quick flight to Cancun from most major U.S. cities.

What to do:

• Take an Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Tour Adventure

• Experience a Manatee Encounter at Dolphin Isla Mujeres

• Try a Reefs of The Island Clear Boat Tour

Where to stay:

• Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets

• Zoetry Villa Rolandi, Isla Mujeres Cancun

• Izla Beach-Front Hotel, Isla Mujeres

7. Vietnam

An incredibly unique country with a rich cultural experience, I cannot say enough good things about Vietnam. Spend a night on the water in breath-taking Ha Long Bay and experience magical Sapa or trek through terraced rice fields (only recommended for those in decent physical shape). These were two of my favorite excursions! Enjoy the delicious Vietnamese cuisine and pick up some North Face gear for a fraction of the price. In March, the temperatures will be a comfortable mid-70s, low rainfall and perfect for sightseeing and exploring this beautiful country.

What to do:

• Take a two-day and one-night Ha Long Bay Pandora Luxury 5-Star Cruise

• Take a two-day and one-night Sapa hiking tour, visiting beautiful landscapes and terraced fields

• Take a full-day Ninh Binh Highlights Tour

Where to stay:

• Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

• Capella Hanoi

• Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi – MGallery

8. Lisbon, Portugal

Finally, making the list for the Best Places to Travel in March is Lisbon! As temperatures are in the comfortable mid-60s, you’ll likely be doing a lot of walking (every day is leg day in Lisbon). Lisbon is a beautiful, hilly city with delicious food, pretty architecture and coastal vibes. It's one of my favorite European cities and a great option for families as it is a relatively "quick" flight from many East Coast cities.

What to do:

• Take a half-day Tuk-tuk Tour of Lisbon

• Head to Sintra and Pena Palace on a full-day trip to visit Sintra’s UNESCO-listed highlights

• Try a Private Wine Tasting Tour to the Setubal Wine Region

Where to stay:

• AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado

• The Lumiares Hotel and Spa

• Bairro Alto Hotel

All of the above are fantastic picks for a March itinerary. Having been to every one of these destinations, I can provide insider tips and curate an amazing itinerary for you!

In need of further inspiration? Check out Lee Elkins’s trip report, Best Ski Resorts in America.