Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Panama Canal & Central America cruises in March
March is dry, hot and sunny, and the last full month of high season. Spring repositioning begins as some ships transit westbound toward Alaska. Lenten processions in Antigua Guatemala, famous for carpets of colored sawdust and flowers laid across the cobblestones, take place most weekends, a highlight if your ship calls at Puerto Quetzal.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 87°F
- 12 hrs daylight
Photo: User:Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Panama Canal & Central America in March: Best time to go
March is dry, hot and sunny, and the last full month of high season. Spring repositioning begins as some ships transit westbound toward Alaska. Lenten processions in Antigua Guatemala, famous for carpets of colored sawdust and flowers laid across the cobblestones, take place most weekends, a highlight if your ship calls at Puerto Quetzal.
Across Panama Canal & Central America cruise ports, March brings average highs around 87°F (30°C) and lows near 77°F, with about 1.5 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Best time to go
- Season
- Mainly October to April; driest mid-December to April. Few sailings in summer.
- Average high / low
- 87°F / 77°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 1.5 in
- Daylight
- About 12 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 10 to 11 nights for a partial transit; 14 to 18 nights for a full transit
What to pack: light, breathable clothes, swimwear, a sun hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen, plus a light layer for air-conditioned rooms.
How March compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: Best time to go
- Feb: Best time to go
- Mar: Best time to go
- Apr: Good time to go
- May: Good time to go
- Jun: Shoulder season
- Jul: Shoulder season
- Aug: Shoulder season
- Sep: Good time to go
- Oct: Good time to go
- Nov: Good time to go
- Dec: Best time to go
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Panama Canal & Central America weather in March
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 8429 | 8530 | 8730 | 8731 | 8731 | 8630 | 8730 | 8731 | 8730 | 8630 | 8530 | 8529 |
| Low °F (°C) | 7624 | 7625 | 7725 | 7926 | 8027 | 8027 | 8127 | 8127 | 8127 | 8027 | 7926 | 7825 |
| Rain in (mm) | 1.641 | 1.026 | 1.538 | 3.077 | 7.1181 | 8.8223 | 7.1180 | 7.6193 | 8.3211 | 8.7220 | 6.9175 | 2.870 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
March weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colón | 84°F | 80°F | 1.5 in | 12 h |
| Fuerte Amador (Panama City) | 89°F | 78°F | 1.3 in | 12 h |
| Cartagena | 87°F | 80°F | 0.7 in | 12 h |
| Puerto Limón | 84°F | 76°F | 7.6 in | 12 h |
| Puntarenas | 95°F | 78°F | 1.5 in | 12 h |
| Puerto Quetzal | 94°F | 79°F | 0.9 in | 12 h |
| Puerto Chiapas | 85°F | 82°F | 0.8 in | 12 h |
| Huatulco | 100°F | 75°F | 0.3 in | 12 h |
| Cabo San Lucas | 80°F | 68°F | 0.1 in | 12 h |
| Aruba | 82°F | 79°F | 0.9 in | 12 h |
| Curaçao | 81°F | 79°F | 0.5 in | 12 h |
| Fort Lauderdale | 78°F | 72°F | 1.7 in | 12 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in March
Panama Canal & Central America in March: FAQs
Is March a good time to cruise Panama Canal & Central America?
Yes, it's one of the best months. March is dry, hot and sunny, and the last full month of high season. Spring repositioning begins as some ships transit westbound toward Alaska. Lenten processions in Antigua Guatemala, famous for carpets of colored sawdust and flowers laid across the cobblestones, take place most weekends, a highlight if your ship calls at Puerto Quetzal.
What is the weather like on a Panama Canal & Central America cruise in March?
Across Panama Canal & Central America cruise ports, March brings average highs around 87°F (30°C) and lows near 77°F, with about 1.5 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Panama Canal & Central America cruise in March?
Pack light, breathable clothes, swimwear, a sun hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen, plus a light layer for air-conditioned rooms. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Panama Canal & Central America?
Mainly October to April; driest mid-December to April. Few sailings in summer.. The best months are usually January, February, March, December.
Where else can I cruise in March?
March is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Bahamas.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.