10 Things to Do in Cancun in March
Is Cancun one of your next spring destinations and is this natural paradise one of your dream trips? In this article you will see what to do in March in Cancun so that you can go with all possible precautions and enjoy one of the trips of a lifetime.
Party, nature, sports and adventure. Cancun is a perfect destination for all tastes as it has a lot to do and see. In spring, the Mexican region offers even more attractions as the pleasant temperatures invite you to visit the city destined exclusively to the enjoyment of tourists.
If you travel at this time of year, you need not fear the crowds of American students and locals who flock to the city for the long-awaited spring break. But you can also take a trip to the beautiful cenotes, relax on a boat trip or get a closer look at the Mayan civilisation by visiting its museum or the incredible pyramids of Chichén Itzá, taking advantage of the equinox. Read on to discover more plans...
1. Experience the magic of the spring equinox in Chichén Itzá
At the spring equinox, the sun directly overlaps the equator, and the length of day and night are equal everywhere on Earth. This astronomical ephemeris has a special meaning in Cancun, as the descent of the God KuKulkan can be seen.
The god Kukulkan was a Mayan deity, and his cult was one of the most important in Mesoamerica. When the spring equinox arrives, the effects of light and shadow allow us to see the descent of this God, thanks to the structural designs made by the Mayas thousands of years ago.
The place to admire this event is at the pyramids of Chichen Itza. The pyramids are 24 metres high and have a rectangular base 55.5 metres wide. In addition, on each side of the pyramid there are steps of 91 steps each, except for one which has one more step, resulting in a total of 365 steps, representing one for each day of the year.
When evening falls and the sun approaches, shadows begin to appear on one side of the pyramid. Specifically, this takes place on the north side of the pyramid. Nowadays many people go to see this event, and it is still surprising how something could have been built so many years ago with such precision.
2. Explore the rainforest in an off-road vehicle
Adventure awaits you in Cancun and this is probably one of the reasons why you have chosen Cancun as your spring travel destination. The good temperatures at this time of year make it one of the best times to travel to the region because it allows you to do countless outdoor activities, such as exploring the rainforest aboard a 4x4.
There are off-road tours that include multi-adventure packs: from driving this type of vehicle through the Mayan jungle, to a refreshing swim in a cenote, to a zip-line jump. A whole circuit designed for the most adventurous tourists.
3. Enjoy St Patrick's Day in the Caribbean
Although it is of Irish origin, as it celebrates the commemoration of the death of Ireland's patron saint, the festival extends to Cancun. The celebration of this day in places as far apart as Mexico and Ireland is due to the defence made by a battalion from the European country against American troops in favour of Mexico, as they shared the same religion.
It was the so-called "St. Patrick's Day Battalion", which is the reason why, nowadays, the relationship forged on that mythical day is still preserved, in fact, there is a large Irish population that still lives in Mexico. The most representative thing about St. Patrick's Day, which is usually celebrated on March 17th, is that people wear green to commemorate it, and it is also celebrated in a popular way, in bars, restaurants, and hotels, also dyeing themselves in the typical green colour that represents the celebration, and eating and drinking in the Irish style.
4. Recharge your energy swimming in a cenote
The cenotes are deep wells whose waters are supplied by the filtration of rainfall and river currents. The temperature of its waters is approximately 24ºC, which makes it ideal for cooling off and swimming in them. For nature lovers, it is a paradise. That is why you cannot leave Cancun without going on an excursion to the cenotes.
The waters of these natural pools are so crystal clear that they are even believed to have energy-regenerating properties, as even the Mayas used them for their rituals. In many of them, various materials and even gold or textiles have been found, which are believed to have been offerings to the gods by the Mayas.
In Cancun, there are many types of popular cenotes, the most popular are:
- Dos ojos
- Casa Cenote
- Gran Cenote
- Jardín del Edén
- Yokdzonot
- Chac Moo
Each and every one of them has the common denominator of being a spectacle for nature lovers, and although they are visible and can be visited all year round, during the spring, due to the mild temperatures, they are even more special.
Moreover, in them you can practice many of the activities you can do in Cancun, such as scuba diving or snorkelling.
5. Take a trip to the paradise island of Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres is a small island very close to Cancun. Like the rest of the region, it is a major attraction for tourists who want to enjoy nature at its best as well as the Caribbean beaches. It is considered to have the best beach in the world, Playa Norte, so booking one of the organised excursions to Isla Mujeres is, without a doubt, a must on your trip to Cancun.
One particularity of this beach is that you can walk a little more than 200 metres, and the water will not go above your waist. In spring it is usually high season, so it is possible that there will be quite a few tourists. Nevertheless, it is worth enjoying the sunrise and sun set on this beach.
On the beach, you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas, as well as snorkelling equipment and even kayaks for water sports. So the experience can be unforgettable.
6. Enjoy nature to the fullest at Xcaret Park
As usual, the fauna and flora are one of the main attractions of Cancun, and Xcaret Park is not going to be less, also in spring. This park brings together all the natural attractions that can be found in Cancun: cenotes, archaeology, adventure, partying, and even enjoying the authentic Caribbean rainforest.
The park also has several trails, the main one being an underground river where you can snorkel with the company of fish.
There is also an aviary, coral reef aquarium and butterfly farm, among many other attractions. And if that's not enough, at night the park organises shows for visitors, not forgetting that admission is free for children under the age of four.
The park has so many activities, which makes it one of the top attractions for the whole family, definitely one of the top 10 things to do in Cancun with kids.
7. Discover an ancient civilization at the Mayan Museum of Cancun
The Mayan Museum of Cancun has the privilege of being the first archaeological museum in the city, which after the inclemency of hurricanes that closed the museum on several occasions, was finally opened to the public in 2012.
With its avant-garde architecture, it has one of the most significant archaeological collections in the region. It exhibits pieces found in the state of Quintana Roo, as well as objects from ancient Mayan sites such as Palenque and Chichen Itza.
The museum's open-air setting allows you to enjoy the natural surroundings and incredible views of the jungle. Admission to the museum also includes access to the archaeological site of San Miguelito.
8. Have fun in the party places with the students
If you are going to Cancun not only to connect with the oasis of nature, but also for a few days of fun, the month of March is ideal. The nightlife in the region is famously varied and promises endless partying. But if you add to that the "Spring Break" or the beginning of the students' holidays, the partying is guaranteed.
Coming from the United States, Canada, Argentina or even Mexicans themselves, university students take advantage of this break to spend a few days of disconnection in Cancun. The party spreads from the beach resorts to the macro discos, some of which can hold up to 5,000 people, such as the famous Coco Bongo.
Spring Break starts at the end of February and lasts until the beginning of April but reaches its peak in March. If you travel during these dates, be prepared to enjoy a few days of fun while meeting people from many countries. But also be warned: if you're in the bar area at this time of year, be prepared for crowds and a non-stop party atmosphere.
9. Sail the Caribbean Sea on board a catamaran
If instead of partying, or -why not- after a party, you prefer to enjoy a peaceful boat ride, Cancun has a wide range of boat trips for tourists of all ages.
Cancun's incredible beaches await you in this idyllic paradise of turquoise waters and ultra-fine sands. You can reach any of them aboard a comfortable catamaran, a boat that will hardly make you notice the waves because its structure, created for the leisure of the passengers, will make you have a very smooth and stable navigation.
There are organised excursions to suit all budgets. Therefore, boat trips in Cancun are a perfect option to relax for a few hours in the Mexican Caribbean.
10. Commemorate the birth of Benito Juárez
March 21st is a public holiday throughout the Riviera Maya as it is the birthday of one of the founders of Mexico, Benito Juárez. On this day, concerts and exhibitions are held in the city in commemoration of the man known as the "Benemérito de las Américas".
Benito Juárez was one of Mexico's most important presidents. Among other things, he separated church and state property. He also enacted the law that took his name "Ley Juárez", before he became president, a law that annulled the privileges of the military and presbyters and led to his imprisonment, along with many other citizens.
What to expect in March in Cancun
During March, Cancun enjoys sunny days, which makes it conducive to taking advantage of the beaches and long walks outside. In fact, it is unlikely to rain during this month, but even if there is any rain, it will be occasional. Temperatures in Cancun during the month of March usually range from a high of 29ºC to a low of 21ºC. These temperatures make for a pleasant stay in Cancun and you will rarely find more favourable temperatures than these!
Prices in Cancun during the month of March
Coupled with the weather conditions, and the pleasant temperatures, it is no wonder that tourists choose Cancun as one of the favourite destinations for the month of March. What does this choice bring with it? Well, as the number of tourists increases, so do the prices.
So if you choose Cancun as a destination during these months, your budget must be prepared to accompany this price increase. Obviously, the destination deserves it, and there are aspects such as the weather and the scenery that are secondary to the price for many.
Cancun also takes centre stage during "Spring Break", which coincides with the holidays of students from universities in the United States and Canada, and most of them head there to enjoy a holiday accompanied by partying.
Don't forget that Cancun is the "official party capital of Mexico" with great access to the Caribbean Sea. And although the beaches are its main attraction, there is so much more to do!