Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Western Caribbean cruises in March
Around the March equinox, the late-afternoon sun throws a serpent-shaped shadow down the steps of El Castillo at Chichén Itzá, drawing big crowds to the site. Spring break fills Texas and Florida departures, and inland ruins start to feel properly hot by midday. Seas calm down as the winter fronts fade.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 82°F
- 12 hrs daylight
Photo: AMAPO, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Western Caribbean in March: Best time to go
Around the March equinox, the late-afternoon sun throws a serpent-shaped shadow down the steps of El Castillo at Chichén Itzá, drawing big crowds to the site. Spring break fills Texas and Florida departures, and inland ruins start to feel properly hot by midday. Seas calm down as the winter fronts fade.
Across Western Caribbean cruise ports, March brings average highs around 82°F (28°C) and lows near 77°F, with about 2.5 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Best time to go
- Season
- Year-round; driest December to April. Rainy season and hurricane risk June to November, peaking August to October.
- Average high / low
- 82°F / 77°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 2.5 in
- Daylight
- About 12 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 4 to 5 nights for short trips; 7 nights for the classic route
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: Best time to go
- May: Good time to go
- Jun: Good time to go
- Jul: Good time to go
- Aug: Shoulder season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Good time to go
- Dec: Best time to go
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Western Caribbean weather in March
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 8027 | 8127 | 8228 | 8429 | 8530 | 8530 | 8630 | 8630 | 8630 | 8529 | 8328 | 8228 |
| Low °F (°C) | 7624 | 7625 | 7725 | 7926 | 8127 | 8228 | 8228 | 8228 | 8328 | 8228 | 7926 | 7825 |
| Rain in (mm) | 3.897 | 2.358 | 2.565 | 2.769 | 5.5140 | 9.1231 | 6.0151 | 6.8172 | 7.0177 | 9.1231 | 8.8224 | 4.8121 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 |
March weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cozumel | 82°F | 77°F | 2.2 in | 12 h |
| Costa Maya | 82°F | 78°F | 1.9 in | 12 h |
| Roatán | 81°F | 79°F | 2.9 in | 12 h |
| Belize City | 83°F | 77°F | 2.5 in | 12 h |
| Grand Cayman | 81°F | 79°F | 0.7 in | 12 h |
| Progreso | 82°F | 75°F | 1.4 in | 12 h |
| Falmouth | 86°F | 77°F | 2.2 in | 12 h |
| Ocho Rios | 83°F | 78°F | 1.5 in | 12 h |
| Key West | 76°F | 74°F | 1.1 in | 12 h |
| Harvest Caye | 81°F | 79°F | 4.2 in | 12 h |
| Montego Bay | 86°F | 78°F | 2.3 in | 12 h |
| Puerto Limón | 84°F | 76°F | 7.6 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
Western Caribbean in March: FAQs
Is March a good time to cruise Western Caribbean?
Yes, it's one of the best months. Around the March equinox, the late-afternoon sun throws a serpent-shaped shadow down the steps of El Castillo at Chichén Itzá, drawing big crowds to the site. Spring break fills Texas and Florida departures, and inland ruins start to feel properly hot by midday. Seas calm down as the winter fronts fade.
What is the weather like on a Western Caribbean cruise in March?
Across Western Caribbean cruise ports, March brings average highs around 82°F (28°C) and lows near 77°F, with about 2.5 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 Western Caribbean 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 Western Caribbean?
Year-round; driest December to April. Rainy season and hurricane risk June to November, peaking August to October.. The best months are usually January, February, March, April, December.
Where else can I cruise in March?
March is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Bahamas, Hawaii.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.