Best Countries To Visit In March

The run of winter comes to end in most of the world and spring blooms, this is the happy month of March. With some major holiday goals and chill vibes coming off places like Maldives, Singapore, Dubai, Bhutan etc, March becomes a great time to explore one of these countries. The Southern Hemisphere sees summer’s end at this time and the mercury levels dip to make way for autumn, hence New Zealand and Australia become highly touristy without the added crowds in March. Here is a list of some of the best countries to visit in March, to help you plan your spring/autumn vacation.

Bhutan

Bhutan, a tranquil land of mountains and prayer flags, monks and monasteries, is also an exceptional landscape for trekkers. It is said that this piece of land was once bloodied so badly by war that it became impossible to live here. Then a few Buddhist monks came to these hills and meditated for decades together in order to bring Bhutan to peace again. The country today is so self-content that it considers its Happiness Quotient above its GDP. Bhutan is great for most of the year, but March especially becomes the gateway into a pleasant spring here, with flowers blooming and sun streaming. Temperatures reach up to a pleasant 20°C almost in all parts of the country. The dance festival of Paro Tshechu is also celebrated.

Things to Do:

Visit the Paro Taktsang Monastery, also called the Tiger’s Nest. The Paro Valley surrounding this monastery is home to spectacular views, gentle hiking routes and some lovely blooming flora and fauna. For trekking you can try the Nabji Korphu Trek, Snowman Trek, Jomolhari, Druk Path Trek etc. There is also rock-climbing in Thimphu and river rafting in Po Chu river. Bhutan also hosts numerous hot springs like Gasa Tshachus and Gelephu Tshachu. Bird watching is particularly famous at Trongsa, Bumthang, Bomdeling, Phobjikha Valley and Punakha. While here, you must also take some time out to enrolling in yoga and meditation sessions (guided courses offered by most hotels and resorts). Massages are also quite good, as are spas in the mountains.

How to Reach:

Paro International Airport of Bhutan is your major landing point in this country when flying from abroad. Kolkata, Guwahati, New Delhi and Bagdora operate direct flights to Bhutan, while Kochi, Bangalore and Mumbai have one-stop flights. You can also take a train to Bagdora or Jalpaiguri station and then cross the border by hiring a cab.

Maldives

A collection of horse-shoe shaped islands, the Maldives atoll is renowned worldwide for its pristine beaches, azure waters and plush resorts. A coveted honeymoon destination, Maldives is also very famous for family holidays, given its host of beaches, adventure sports, shopping and dining opportunities. March marks a great month to visit Maldives. The average temperature is to be around 29°C at this time, while the nights can be cooler. The National Day or the first day of Rabee-ul Awwal is also celebrated in the end of Feb or beginning March. Hence prepare yourself for parades, marches and festive revelry here.

Things to Do:

Spend a day or two in the capital city of Male, a town that literally throbs with electrifying tourist energy. Home to cool bars, cafes and lounges, the town gives you beaches and sightseeing too, like the Grand Friday Mosque, National Museum, fish markets etc. Next, head to the paradise that is Meera Island, suffused with long beaches, ultramarine tinted lagoons, corals and pristine white sands. If you feed on adrenaline then go underwater diving, swimming or snorkelling to Biyadhoo Island. For luxury cravers, Kaafu Atoll is the destination of your dreams, managed by the Taj Group. Another unique feature here is the Raa Atoll, known for its glowing bioluminescent waters due to phytoplanktons. Do not miss this.

How to Reach:

Reach the Malé International Airport by direct flights from Kochi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi or Bangalore. Major carriers on these routes include Air India, Indigo, Jet Airways, Spice Jet, Sri Lankan Airlines etc. You can also take a cruise ship from Mumbai or Kochi to Maldives. The Costa neoClassica, a cruise ship, sets sail from Kochi (3 nights) as well as from Mumbai (7 nights) for Maldives.

Sri Lanka

A tourism hub and tea paradise, Sri Lanka is that same fabled land where once the Demon King Raavan has said to have ruled. It’s a shame the country is not made of gold anymore, however, its natural delights, mountains, beaches and tea gardens are no less valuable than the gold itself. With its scores of Buddhist monasteries and hiking trails, Sri Lanka offers much to each type of traveller. March, especially is a month that is drier here, with temperatures hovering in the 20s. Kandy becomes specially beautiful through March and must visit for its weather and sunshine.

Things to Do:

Start with the marvellous tea gardens of Ceylon and Nuwara Eliya. These offer some great tours, tea-tastings and souvenirs. Midigama, Weligama Beach, Mirissa and Hikkaduwa are particularly renowned for kite surfing and surfing. Sri Lanka also offers many trekking routes, like the Adam’s Peak, Horton Plains and Ella Rock. Temples are also abound here, from the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy and Dambulla Cave Temple to the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple. Sri Lanka is also rich in flora and fauna, as seen in the Udawalawe (Kandy) and Yala National Parks, home to wild elephants and leopards among many others. Sightseeing includes Sigiriya Fortress, Galle Fort and Star Fort. But the best town at this time to explore is Kandy, for its botanical gardens, lakes and serenity.

How to Reach: 

Bandaranaike International Airport of Colombo is the main International airport of Sri Lanka. You can board a flight from Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi or Delhi on carriers like Air India, Sri Lankan Airlines and Jet. Cruises from Mumbai are also an option but highly expensive and much, much slower. Internally in Sri Lanka, you have cars on hire, the picturesque rail services as well as domestic flights.

Vietnam-Cambodia

Vietnam and Cambodia have been the budget traveller’s delight in the recent years, a pair of countries in the Indo-China stretch that brim with beaches and shrines and shores and heritage towns. In the month of March, the area of Vietnam as well as Cambodia experiences the least rainfall and therefore make for the best time for an outdoorsy holiday. The temperatures are pleasant and remain in their 20s, making it all the more soothing for long leisure explorations, hikes, treks and heritage walks.

Things to Do:

For Vietnam, start with the capital city Hanoi, with its magnificent marble mausoleum of their Communist-era leader. The Ho Chi Minh City, named after the same leader, is home to chic French colonial buildings, museums of Vietnamese wars and the iconic Củ Chi tunnels (a major attraction) that were used by Viet Cong soldiers. Take a cruise down Halong Bay, visit Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh city and lose yourself in the uptown nightlife and pub-crawls of Vietnam.

In Cambodia, the ancient city of Angkor Wat and its ruins are the highlight, while the bustling streets of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap bring the contemporary Cambodia to life. Take a tour of Bayon which is the centre of Angkor Thom. Plan a temple run of monasteries like Phnom Penh Royal Palace, Ta Promh, Tonlé Sap Lake and Silver Pagoda. The Apsara Dance performances of this place are very famous. Also visit the Koh Rong Beach, which is a white sandy delight.

How to Reach:

You can reach Vietnam by flying to Ho Chi Minh or the Hanoi-Danang Airports of Vietnam from India. Cruises via the Mekong Delta and Cambodia are also available. Trains from Beijing leave for Vietnam regularly and make for a fast and cheaper option. For Cambodia, you have the Phnom Penh International Airport and Siem Reap International Airport as major hubs, for international flights. Some major players like Malaysian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Air Asia, Thai Airways etc operate regularly on these routes. Buses between Bangkok, Vietnam and Cambodia are also quite common.

Malaysia

Home to the ‘futuristic’ city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is a beautiful getaway for beach babies, shoppers, luxury tourists and travellers alike. With islands like Langkawi for long, leisure idyllic beach holidays, Kuala Lumpur for city seeing and shopping, as well as the many natural trails and natural parks for wildlife lovers, Malaysia is a delight in the month of March. In this month, the hotspot for diving called Tioman blooms in full spring, while sandy beaches of Perhantians become most coveted. 

Things to Do:

Start with Kuala Lumpur, a stunning city of skyscrapers and sky-high bridges, metro trains and expansive views of the mountains. Explore Petronas, one of the tallest man-made tower, shop in the many malls and scourge the street for local food as well as gourmet restaurants. Head to Langkawi for a beach holiday weekend and while there, check out the Langkawi Square. Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park is great for a wildlife safari, while the ancient town of Malacca for its stunning architecture, old houses and streets that are a Portuguese colonial hangover. Go diving to Tioman and spend a relaxing day at Perhantians’ sandy beaches, while some beautiful mosques await you in Kuala Terengganu

How to Reach:

Fly into the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Malaysian Airlines, Jet Airways or Sri Lankan Airlines from major Indian cities. You can also drive into Malaysia from Singapore. In Malaysia, you can take the Malaysian railways or KTM for domestic rail travel; as well as buses and hired cars for internal commute.

Dubai

The land of Sheikhs as modern as Bhurj Khalifa, Dubai is a business hub as wells as a shopping paradise. But foremost, it is a coveted holiday haven. It has a pulsating nerve for those seeking city fun as well as plenty adventure for those who live off adrenaline. With its line of shopping malls and rows of sand dune deserts, plush islands and diners by the marina, Dubai lives to stun. March is a pleasant dry month in Dubai, with temperatures hovering between 18° and 29°C. The month is also known for hosting a few events, such as Art Dubai and the annual Dubai World Cup (horse racing) at Meydan.

Things to Do:

When in Dubai, start your tour with Bhurj Khalifa, the tallest structure in this world. Bhurj Khalifa is an iconic sight, a business centre, home to a few world class restaurants as well as a tourist attraction. The Dubai Fountain nearby comes alive with the world’s biggest choreographed show and lights and sound every evening. This sight is spectacular from the top of Bhurj Khalifa. Dubai is also synonymous to shopping, be it gadgets or high street fashion brands or the haute couture labels. Head to Dubai Mall for all this and more. If you are ready to splurge for a weekend then head to the Palm Jumeirah Islands for lots of pampering. Within Dubai, you also have Kite Beach to pursue water sports, JBR Beach, the Dubai Creek and Dubai Marina. Last but not the least, take a day out for the Arabian Desert Safari with camel rides, quad biking and al-fresco barbecues.

How to Reach:

Direct Dubai flights from India are very frequent and regular. Flights from Mumbai, Goa, Jaipur and Delhi take off for the amazing Dubai International Airport, which is the busiest in UAE. Some major players on this route are Etihad, Lufthansa, Air India, Jet and Emirates. Self-drive option is only available from Oman, while coaches can be boarded from Abu Dhabi, Ajmah or Sharjah (UAE).

Singapore

Singapore is a pure magical experience, from its clean state-of-the-art city roads housing such well maintained colonial era buildings to rising chapels and churches amidst huge, green gardens full of small waterfalls; and of course, a very strict code of conduct, to such an extent that if you leave your bag in the middle of the road, you are sure to find it there even after 6 hours. Untouched. That is how safe Singapore is. It is a global business hub in spite of being a small island, has some of the best amusement parks in Asia, amazing shopping experience and attracts tourism like bees to nectar. March is one of the best times to visit Singapore, what with very few rainy days (only 9) and bright sunny time with temperature between 25 and 32°C. 

Things to Do:

Go for an insanely coveted Night Safari, one of the first of its kind. The tour starts with a fire show by the native tribes and proceeds to a toy train ride through the nocturnal zoo, followed by animal shows. The Sentosa Island is another marvel of insane fun, with its collection of beaches, resorts, clubs and wonder shows, 'Wings of Time' being particularly famous. Bird lovers must visit the Bird Park while nature lovers can explore the many gardens of Singapore - Cloud Dome and Forest Dome being exceptional. Also, do book yourself for a ride in the world’s largest Ferris wheel and spend a sunset at the Marina Bay Sands for tower-top views of the Singapore skyline and fountain show.

Universal Studios coupled with its childhood charms, fairyland castles, thrilling rides and aqua park is a must-must-visit. While shopping is great at Victoria Street and Bugis Street.

How to Reach: 

Changi International Airport of Singapore is one of the biggest and most luxurious airports of the world. It caters to most International flights. Regular flights from Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Bangalore or Kochi take off for Singapore everyday. You can also drive to Singapore from Malaysia, just like the many Malays do as they work in Singapore all week and travel back home for weekends. Trains between Malaysia and Singapore are also available. For internal transport, you can just hail a cab or pre-book a car.

U. S. A.

Known as the free world and the greatest democracy known to contemporary mankind, the United States of America is a beautiful diverse country that has monopolised the world’s attention for as long as we can remember. With its amazing cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Las Vegas etc, USA becomes a great destination for your March holidays. Spring season brings its faint flutters to the States in March and while many places might still not be completely thawed, there are others like Nevada (think Vegas), Arizona (Scottsdale), Florida (Miami, Orlando etc) and California (HOLLYWOOD, Santa Barbara) become extremely beautiful. Miami sees an average temperature of 27°C, with its golden beaches and clear skies ready for tourists!

Things to Do:

The United States is a pretty big country, almost half of a continent. Hence you cannot cover all the places at once. In the month of March, we recommended you cover states like Florida (Miami, Orlando) for its beaches, drive throughs and promenades, as well as theme parks like Disney Land and Universal Studios of Orlando. Other states that you can cover on this trip include Nevada (yes, the 'infamous' Las Vegas), California (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Barbara and HOLLYWOOD), North Dakota (Fargo and its beers and bacons), Texas (Houston) and Arizona for its baseball leagues. Santa Barbara is especially renowned for its whale sightings on the coast in this season and Houston for its rodeo shows. Hawaii, South Dakota and Colorado are also quite good during this time of the year.

How to Reach:

Loads of connecting flights operate from Mumbai to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vegas, New York, Chicago etc. Other cities like Delhi, Ahmedabad and Bangalore also have quite a few daily flights to the States. Once in America, you can use domestic flights to fly cross-state and city or use their drive options if road trip is your idea. Trains are not very popular here so you can give it a miss. Buses are available in its stead, as are hired chauffeur driven cars (costly).

Iceland

The land of Northern Lights and Vikings, Iceland also happens to be the country that has hosted the Game of Thrones cast for a long shooting schedule. GOT Fans, this place is a must visit. It is not called the land of fire and ice for nothing; after all, it's got hot springs and volcanoes as well as ice caves and glaciers within close vicinity. In March, Iceland is seeing the last of its winter and hence the last of its Northern Lights before they completely disappear at the onset of summer. With average lows of -2.2°C and highs of 3.3°C, it is not much change from February weather-wise, but the days have begun to have more light and longer days prevail. By the end of March, the mercury has risen quite extensively.

Things to Do:

Visit some protected glaciers, some beautiful national parks (Snæfellsjökull and Vatnajökull National Park), and Thingvellir i.e. the location where Game of Thrones was shot. Half a mile off the capital city Reykjavik is Puffin Island, a colony of cute little puffins. You must also go up to the Dynjandi Waterfall, Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, Peace Tower and Valley of Thor for sightseeing. Faxaflói Bay is particularly famous for its whale and dolphin sightings. You must also try the many geothermal pools, ice caves and explore natural hot springs. Finally, for the highlight of your holiday - the Northern Lights, head to Faxafloi Bay or Seltjarnarnes, which are both known for very less city lights and close to zero pollution.

How to Reach:

Iceland’s major airport is the Keflavik International Airport for International flights, with Iceland Air and Iceland Express as their most significant airlines. From India, you have options of one-stop fights from Delhi, Mumbai or Bangalore. Ships or cruises also sail from Northern Europe for Iceland, but airways are considered the best.

Australia

That country we all memorised in the geography class as ‘rabbit shaped’ continent, Australia is a great holiday destination too. With its modern cities and native aborigines, kangaroos and colonial buildings, Australia is a great paradox. March here brings forth autumn, and that means dropping temperatures (not as cold as winter yet). With average temperature of 22°C in Sydney, the weather is lovely and makes for the most ideal time to visit. 

Things to Do:

Go city-hopping in Australia, from Sydney to Melbourne to Perth to Gold Coast. Each city has something unique, either a colonial charm or a string of beaches, some great amusement parks or national parks. When in Sydney, you should visit the Bondi beach for all the sun, sand and fun, while tour the Sydney Opera House for its classic structure. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a great parade here in the month of March, not to be missed. Head to the Great Barrier Reef for swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving to explore the spectacular corals, marine and underwater life here. Other coveted holiday spots here are the Warner Bros Movie World, Philip Island, Whitsunday Islands and the drive through the Twelve Apostles. Hunter Valley is a very famous place for exploring vineyards and tasting wines while if you want to see kangaroos, there is Murramarang National Park as well as Lucky Bay to visit.

How to Reach:

Australia boasts of International airports in 5 major cities; Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne. Direct and connecting flights from Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi etc are available. You can also board a cruise from New Zealand but it is a more expensive option and takes much longer. For internal commute, you can hire cars, use buses or take domestic flights. The rail network of Australia is also quite well developed and scenic, if we may add.

New Zealand

New Zealand is a country in the Southwest Pacific of the Southern Hemisphere that is renowned for kiwis (both animals and fruits) as well as its beautiful landscapes, glaciers and volcanoes. In March, New Zealand experiences its autumn and the weather gradually cools down as the month progresses. This is by far the best time to visit New Zealand as the temperatures are anywhere between 25°C-27°C in the Northern Islands and crowd has thinned considerably after summer. 

Things to Do:

Visit cities like Auckland, Wellington, Gisborne, Christchurch etc, for touring their charms. The capital city of Wellington is known for its Wellington Botanic Garden, Zealandia, National Museum and Weta Cave that houses the props from ‘Lord of the Rings’ movie shoot too. Auckland comes with Sky Tower, Auckland War Memorial and SkyCity Auckland while Queenstown is great for adventure. Go bungee jumping to Kawarau Bridge, cruising to Milford Sound, taste wines at Amisfield Bistro and explore Lake Wakatipu and Lake Wanaka. Relax with a dip in the thermal wonderland of Wai-O-Tapu and swim with the dolphins while in Bay Island. You can also go stargazing by Lake Tekapo and catch sight of the Southern lights if you are in luck. This is also a good time to go hiking. To explore the native tribes of New Zealand, catch hold of a good tour guide and drive up to Tamaki Maori Village in Rotorua. 

How to Reach:

Regular stop-over flights from Indian cities like Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Hyderabad fly to New Zealand; the majority of those landing in Auckland. For internal commute, there are connecting domestic flights, buses, hired cars as well as trains in New Zealand. If you want to take the sea route, head to Australia and take one of the luxury cruises that depart from there.