Things to Do in South America in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in South America
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Late summer weather in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay means comfortable temperatures around 20-25°C (68-77°F) with minimal rainfall - perfect for Patagonia hiking before the shoulder season hits in April
- Carnival season wraps up early March in Brazil, meaning you can catch the tail end of festivities in Salvador and Olinda with significantly fewer crowds and 30-40% cheaper accommodation than February
- Amazon Basin experiences lower water levels making wildlife spotting easier - animals congregate around remaining water sources, and you can actually walk trails that are underwater during high-water season (November-May peak)
- Grape harvest season in Mendoza wine region means you can participate in actual harvest activities at vineyards, not just tours - plus new vintage tastings that aren't available other months
Considerations
- Altiplano regions (Bolivia, Peru highlands) enter rainy season with afternoon storms that can cancel or delay travel plans - the famous Uyuni Salt Flats are partially flooded, which creates mirror effects but limits where vehicles can drive
- Beach destinations in Brazil's northeast are transitioning out of peak season but still see occasional heavy rainfall - Bahia averages 8-10 rainy days with quick but intense downpours that can disrupt beach plans
- Iguazu Falls experiences higher water volume from summer rains, which sounds great but actually means some walkways close for safety and the mist is so intense you'll get completely soaked even with rain gear - visibility for photos drops significantly
Best Activities in March
Patagonia Trekking in Torres del Paine or El Chalten
March is actually the sweet spot for Patagonian hiking - you get late summer weather with temperatures around 10-15°C (50-59°F) during the day, trails are still well-maintained before winter closures, and the infamous Patagonian winds are typically calmer than December-January. The fall colors start appearing on lenga trees, adding orange and red to the landscapes. Most importantly, the February tourist crush has passed but refugios and campsites remain open through mid-March.
Amazon Rainforest Wildlife Lodges in Ecuador or Peru
Lower water levels in March make this one of the best months for wildlife viewing - you will actually see animals instead of just hearing them. Trails that are muddy swamps in January are walkable, and animals concentrate around accessible water sources. Temperature stays around 26-30°C (79-86°F) with humidity around 80%, but morning mist creates incredible photography conditions. The rainy season is technically ongoing but showers are predictable afternoon events, not all-day washouts.
Mendoza Wine Harvest Experiences
March is harvest season in Mendoza, and some vineyards actually let visitors participate in grape picking and crushing - not the sanitized tourism version, but actual work alongside harvest crews. Temperatures are comfortable at 18-24°C (64-75°F), perfect for cycling between wineries. You will taste new vintage wines that are literally weeks old, something impossible in other months. The Andes provide a stunning backdrop with early snow on peaks contrasting with green vineyards.
Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats Tours During Wet Season
March catches the tail end of the rainy season, meaning parts of the salt flats have that thin layer of water creating the famous mirror effect for photography. You get the mirror reflection without the peak February crowds. Temperature ranges from 0-15°C (32-59°F) with intense sun - the UV index at 3,656 m (11,995 ft) altitude will burn you in 15 minutes without protection. Tours can access different areas than dry season, including flamingo breeding sites that are unreachable other months.
Galapagos Island Cruises and Day Tours
March sits in the warm-wet season with water temperatures around 23-26°C (73-79°F) - ideal for snorkeling without thick wetsuits. You will see marine iguanas nesting, sea lion pups playing, and green sea turtles are more active in warmer water. Brief rain showers occur but rarely last more than an hour. The tradeoff is slightly rougher seas between islands compared to the cool-dry season, so if you are prone to seasickness, this matters. That said, March sees fewer tourists than June-August, meaning better availability and sometimes 15-20% lower prices on last-minute bookings.
Cartagena and Caribbean Coast Beach Time
Colombia's Caribbean coast in March offers the tail end of dry season with temperatures around 28-31°C (82-88°F) and minimal rainfall. Water is calm and clear for snorkeling around Rosario Islands. Cartagena's Old Town is hot but manageable if you plan activities for early morning (before 10am) and late afternoon (after 4pm). March specifically avoids both the December-January peak crowds and the April-May humidity spike. You get that sweet spot of good weather without paying high-season prices.
March Events & Festivals
Vendimia Festival in Mendoza
Argentina's National Grape Harvest Festival celebrates the wine harvest with parades, concerts, and the crowning of the Harvest Queen. The main event happens the first weekend of March in Mendoza's Frank Romero Day amphitheater with elaborate stage productions. Smaller harvest festivals occur throughout the region in late February and early March. Worth experiencing if you are already planning Mendoza wine touring - the festival adds cultural context to the vineyards you will visit.
Feria de Mataderos in Buenos Aires
This weekly gaucho fair happens every Sunday in March (and year-round) in the Mataderos neighborhood, showcasing traditional Argentine folk culture with horseback demonstrations, empanada stands, and folk music. Not a March-specific event but particularly worth visiting in March when Buenos Aires weather is comfortable for outdoor festivals - temperatures around 22-26°C (72-79°F). Runs from roughly 11am to sunset.