Where's hot in March?

Are you desperate for a hot beach holiday in March? Although spring is just around the corner across Europe, it's still too cold for a holiday that purely consists of lounging around on beaches or diving into your hotel's outdoor swimming pool.

*Average temperature and sunshine in March

Average temperature in March - 27C

Average hours of sunlight in March - 9 hrs

March is the end of Bali’s wet season. And, although it’s very much a transitional month in terms of weather, generally, it gets sunnier and warmer as March goes on. Expect average temperatures around 27°C and around nine hours of sunshine a day.

A diverse and complex island, which part of Bali you visit really depends on what you’re after. Ubud, with its temples, traditional dances and rice paddies, is considered the cultural heart of the island, while Seminyak is known for luxury by the beach. Surfers tend to congregate in Uluwatu and the Bukit peninsula, while the party set flock to Kuta.

One thing to note about March holidays in Bali is Nyepi Day. This religious holiday is observed by Hindus across the island and involves staying silent and indoors.

Beaches, streets and the main airport will be closed and most outside activity is put on hold – tourists are not exempt from the festival so be aware, if you’re in Bali during Nyepi Day, you’ll be confined to your hotel. In 2024, this will be March 11.

Average temperature in March - 23C

Average hours of sunlight in March - 9 hrs

A tiny cluster of islands located off the coast of West Africa, Cape Verde feels like a million miles away – even if it’s not that far on the plane!

Part of Cape Verde’s unique allure is its cultural complexion, which is derived from African, Brazilian and Portuguese influences and its laid-back way of life – the islands live by the wonderfully chilled mantra of “no stress”.

Cape Verde is slowly but surely gaining pace in the UK market and is being developed more and more as a mainstream tourist destination due to its reliable weather and relatively short flight time (it takes around six hours to get there and there’s no jet lag!).

Most people come for the long, white-sand beaches of Sal and Boa Vista, which are relatively unspoilt and you will find them very quiet compared to other popular winter sun hotspots. These two island are the main hubs for dedicated sun seekers.

Intrepid travellers can take internal flights and ferries over to some of the other islands, such as Fogo, a rugged volcanic island, and Sao Vicente, the cultural centre of the archipelago.

Average temperature in March - 27C

Average hours of sunlight in March - 8 hrs

March is a wonderful time to visit the blissful beaches of the Caribbean, with average temperatures across the region hovering in the high-20s.

Although it’s slightly cooler in the north (Cuba, and Turks and Caicos) and a bit hotter in the south (Barbados, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago), generally, you’re guaranteed good weather.

It’s also well within the dry season, so rain showers are at a minimum and humidity is also quite low. You’ll find that, although March is in the Caribbean’s peak period, it falls in between the busier periods of Christmas and Easter. Expect it to be busy, but much less crowded.

Even during busy periods, excellent value package deals are available, especially to Spanish Caribbean islands such as Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Don’t be tempted to book on price alone, however.

The Caribbean is a varied region, both culturally and geographically. Each island has its own character, quirks and reasons for visiting so make sure you take the time to research your destination carefully.

Average temperature in March - 23C

Average hours of sunlight in March - 8.5 hrs

Dubai has a hot and arid desert climate but this ensures hot and sunny weather all year round. In fact, it's almost too hot in the summer months with temperatures reaching over 40°C.

A much more pleasant time to visit Dubai is from November to March when temperatures tolerable for sun seekers. Beautiful beaches line Dubai's coastline such as Jumeirah Beach, home to Dubai's swankiest holiday clubs and hotels.

Dubai is popular for it's local markets or Souks as they are referred to locally, there is a whole host of different souks selling the a wide range of Arabian themed produce - the Spice Souk, Perfume Souk and Fish Souk are well worth a visit purely for the experience if not to purchase anything!

Recently opened, the Dubai Mall has the world's largest number of retailers in one mall with 1,200 shops, housed in salubrious surroundings in air-conditioned bliss.

Outside of Dubai's city limits thrill seeking visitors should try a 4X4 desert safari which takes you on a tour of the awe-inspiring dunes, you can also stop at local Arabian settlements and even try your hand at sandboarding!

Average temperature in March - 26C

Average hours of sunlight in March - 9 hrs

Tiny Gambia is often overlooked by UK holidaymakers seeking winter sun, who tend to flock to the Canaries, Balearics, Greece and Turkey instead. However, with average temperatures in the high 20s and more than 10 hours of sunshine a day, Gambia is the ideal place to escape the British cold in March.

Blessed with a sub-tropical climate and a coastline fringed with idyllic, sandy beaches, Gambia ticks most of the boxes sun-starved Brits seek in a winter sun escape. March is well within the dry season, so rain needn’t be a worry either.

A diverse country teeming with wildlife, Gambia has seven national parks where you can see all kinds of fascinating creatures up close. Crocodiles, hippos, monkeys and more – you won’t get that in Majorca!

A holiday to Gambia comes with a bit more prep though as you’ll need to visit your GP about the injections you may need. Malaria tablets are also a necessity for holidays in Gambia.

Average temperature in March - 29C

Average hours of sunlight in March - 9 hrs

Thailand is a country scattered with tropical islands such as Ko Phi Phi, Ko Chang, Ko Samui and popular resorts such as Pattaya and Phuket, all conjuring up typical picture postcard scenes of white sands, turquoise seas and palm fringed beaches.

Although flights to Bangkok may be more expensive than the usual fortnight in Spain, the costs when you're there are very low indeed, a top quality meal in a restaurant with a couple of drinks will set you back the equivalent of £10, perfect if you're a big fan of hot Thai cuisine and genuine Thai hospitality.

The cost of accommodation is also very competitive from air conditioned beach bungalows to 5 star resorts for a fraction of European prices.

The March climate is perfect too, the bustling and popular resort of Phuket has average temperatures of 29°C and enjoys 9 hours of sunshine. As Thailand is sub tropical in the heart of South East Asia it has very high humidity in March so the monthly 60mm of rain is most welcome as evening descends, cooling things down to a still balmy 24C at night.