Festivals and Travel to Exotic Places in March

Check February | April

The weather should be good in:
Argentina, Myanmar, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Egypt, Ecuador, Guatemala, India, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, Vietnam

Exotic Heritage Festivals | Destination Finder

Outstanding holidays on every continent from Explore, the world's biggest adventure travel company! Month tours, week breaks and family adventures.
Activity Holidays | Brochure | Walking | Travel Advice | Tours Search

For good weather and festivals, early March:

India [Jaisalmer] desert fest. late Feb/early March, 3 days.
[North India] Holi, Fest. of colour. Late Feb/early March, 1 day.
[Anandpur Sahib], Hola Mohalla. Late Feb/early March, 1 day.
[Ajmer] Urs Ajmer Sharif. Feb- April, 6 days
[Nationwide] Baisakhi [Hindu New Year], 1 day. India Pictures

Mexico [Veracruz] Carnival. late Feb/March 9 days. Mexico Pictures

Morocco [Nationwide] Fete du Trone, early March, 3 days. Morocco Pictures

Israel [Nationwide], Purim, Feb/Mar, 1 day. Israel Pictures

Japan [Nara, Todaiji temple] Omizutori Festival. 1-14 March, 03. 1,200 year old ceremonies, especially spectacular on the last night, full of huge, blazing torches and noise-making monks. Japan Pictures

For good weather and festivals, late March:

Nepal [Khatmandu Valley] Macchendrath Rath Jatral, 1 month as 100s of devotees tow a massive wooden 'chariot' carrying their #1 rain god through the streets. Patan is one of the 3 towns in the fascinating Khatmandu Valley. Nepal Pictures

Guatemala [Antigua/Santiago
Atitlan], Holy week. Guatemala Pictures

Mexico [Chichen Itza], Spring Equinox, 1 day.
[Chiapas state and Nationwide] Holy week Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.

Vietnam [Huong Tich Mountain range], Huong Tich/Lac Long Quan Festival [Buddhist pilgrimage], Feb-early Apr
[Quoc Hai] Thay Pagoda Festival, Mar/Apr, 7th day of the 3rd lunar month, 1 day. Vietnam Pictures

Burma [Myanmar], [Nationwide] Thingyan Water Festival, Mar/Apr, 3-4 days.

Colombia [Cartagena], Cartagena International Festival of Caribbean Music. Mid-Mar, 5 days.
[San Antero], Colombian National Beauty Contest for Donkeys.

Nepal , Holi, celebrating Hindu myths in a totally wild, colourful, and throw-paint-over-everyone way. Nationwide but especially good in the Khatmandu Valley. March 18.

Philippines [Nationwide] Holy week [the week up to Easter], Mar/Apr, famous mostly for bloody flagellation and crucifixions. Body piercers will love it.

Or go for festivals only, not the weather! i.e. this is not the best season:

Tibet [beware extreme cold!]:
[Nationwide] New Year. Feb/ March 4 days.
[Lhasa] Great Prayer fest. Feb/March 7 days. Tibet Pictures

Peru [Puno, Cuzco+] Holy week. Peru Pictures

Indonesia [Bali], Nyepi [Balinese New Year], a few days.
[Larantuka, Flores], Easter Parade. Bali Pictures

Bhutan [Paro] Paro Tsechu [Folk dance], Mar/Apr.

Bolivia [Oruro] Devil's Carnival Feb/March. 8 days.