Things to Do in Costa Rica in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Costa Rica
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak dry season on the Pacific coast means Guanacaste beaches get maybe 1-2 rain days all month - you're looking at endless sun for Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio, and the Nicoya Peninsula. Water visibility for diving and snorkeling hits 18-24 m (60-80 ft) at spots like Catalina Islands.
- Green season transition on the Caribbean side creates this sweet spot where Tortuguero and Puerto Viejo get occasional rain but everything is still lush, crowds are 40% lighter than Pacific beaches, and lodge prices run about 25-30% cheaper than April-July.
- Wildlife activity peaks as dry season concentrations bring animals to water sources - you'll spot more wildlife per hour at Corcovado, Monteverde, and Palo Verde than almost any other month. Sea turtle nesting begins on Caribbean beaches, and humpback whales are still migrating off the Osa Peninsula through mid-March.
- Spring break timing means family-friendly infrastructure is fully operational but the absolute madness of December-February has calmed down. You can actually book that zip-line tour in Monteverde with 3-4 days notice instead of the 2-3 weeks you'd need in January.
Considerations
- Spring break overlap (first two weeks of March particularly) drives prices up 35-50% at beach towns like Tamarindo, Jacó, and Manuel Antonio compared to May-November. North American university breaks create mini-crowds at party spots, though nothing like the December-January peak.
- Heat on the Pacific side genuinely gets intense - midday temperatures in Guanacaste regularly hit 35-37°C (95-99°F) with that 70% humidity. You'll want to plan serious hiking or wildlife watching for pre-9am starts, which means adjusting your whole daily rhythm if you're not a morning person.
- Dry season dust becomes noticeable on unpaved roads throughout Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula - if you're driving a rental to remote beaches or mountain towns, expect your vehicle and luggage to get covered in fine red dirt. Also affects people with respiratory sensitivities.
Best Activities in March
Manuel Antonio National Park wildlife watching
March sits right in that window where dry season has concentrated wildlife around remaining water sources but the park hasn't hit its driest, brownest state yet. You'll spot three-toed sloths, white-faced capuchins, and scarlet macaws with much higher success rates than rainy season. The 160-person-per-hour entry limit means arriving by 7am is critical - later arrivals often wait 2-3 hours. Morning temps are bearable at 26-28°C (79-82°F) versus the brutal 33°C (91°F) by noon.
Arenal Volcano hiking and hot springs
March weather around La Fortuna trends drier than usual but you still get enough afternoon cloud cover to keep temperatures reasonable for the 1.5-2 hour hike to Cerro Chato crater lake or the lava flow trails at Arenal 1968. The volcano itself stays cloud-free for viewing about 65% of mornings in March versus maybe 40% during rainy months. Hot springs feel especially good after a day hike when evening temps drop to 22-24°C (72-75°F).
Monteverde Cloud Forest canopy tours
Cloud forest conditions in March mean you're getting that mystical fog and mist in early mornings but clearer afternoons than you'd see May-November. The famous hanging bridges and zip-line canopy tours run with maybe 30% fewer people than January-February, so you're not waiting in line behind 40 people at each platform. Resplendent quetzal sightings peak during March-April breeding season - your odds of spotting one jump to about 60-70% on morning guided walks.
Caribbean coast beach time in Puerto Viejo
While everyone crowds Guanacaste, the Caribbean side in March offers this interesting middle ground - you might get a 30-minute afternoon shower every 3-4 days, but you're also getting that lush jungle-meets-beach vibe with way fewer people. Water stays warm at 27-28°C (81-82°F) year-round, and the Afro-Caribbean food scene in Puerto Viejo actually gets better as local restaurants gear up for their high season (April-September). Snorkeling at Punta Uva or Manzanillo works best on calm days.
Whitewater rafting on Pacuare River
March sits at the tail end of optimal rafting season when the Pacuare still has enough water volume from earlier rains but rapids are technical rather than just big and scary. Class III-IV sections stay exciting without being dangerous, and you're rafting through primary rainforest with waterfall views. Two-day trips that include riverside camping give you the full jungle immersion experience. Water temps stay comfortable at 22-24°C (72-75°F).
Corcovado National Park multi-day hiking
March represents the last reliable month for accessing Corcovado before April heat becomes genuinely oppressive and May rains turn trails into mud pits. This is Costa Rica's most biodiverse spot - you're talking tapirs, all four monkey species, scarlet macaws, and possibly jaguars if you're extraordinarily lucky. The 19 km (12 mile) hike from Los Patos to Sirena Station takes 6-8 hours through primary rainforest with river crossings. It's legitimately challenging but March weather makes it manageable.
March Events & Festivals
Festival de las Artes
San José's biggest cultural event typically runs for about 10 days in mid-March, transforming downtown streets into open-air performance spaces. You'll catch everything from traditional marimba groups to contemporary dance, plus Costa Rican craft vendors and food stalls serving stuff you won't find in tourist zones. Most performances are free or under 2,000 colones. Locals actually show up to this one, which makes it worth experiencing if you're in the Central Valley.
Dia del Boyero (Oxcart Drivers Day)
Celebrated in Escazú (just outside San José) on the second Sunday of March with a parade of traditional painted oxcarts, the symbol of Costa Rican agriculture. You'll see maybe 100+ decorated carts pulled by oxen, plus folk dancing and typical food stands. It's genuinely local rather than tourist-oriented - most visitors have no idea it's happening. Shows up around 9am and wraps by early afternoon.