Mexico City - Things to Do in Mexico City in March

Things to Do in Mexico City in March

March weather, activities, events & insider tips

March Weather in Mexico City

25.5°C (78°F) High Temp
10.5°C (51°F) Low Temp
13 mm (0.5 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is March Right for You?

Advantages

  • Peak jacaranda season transforms the city into purple-canopied avenues throughout Roma, Condesa, and Polanco - the trees typically bloom mid-March through early April, making this the most photogenic month to visit
  • Dry season tail end means you get warm afternoons around 25°C (78°F) with crisp mornings at 10-12°C (50-54°F), perfect for walking neighborhoods before lunch and visiting rooftop bars at sunset without the summer rain interruptions
  • Spring equinox at Teotihuacan on March 20th draws massive crowds but creates an electric atmosphere - thousands gather at sunrise to absorb energy from the pyramids, and the surrounding cultural events throughout the week make it worth planning around
  • Lower tourist volumes compared to December-February and summer months mean shorter lines at Frida Kahlo Museum and Anthropology Museum, plus better restaurant availability without advance reservations except at the top-tier spots

Considerations

  • Temperature swings of 15°C (27°F) between morning and afternoon require layering strategy - you'll start your day in a jacket and end it in a t-shirt, which means carrying extra clothing all day
  • Late dry season means air quality deteriorates as the month progresses, with PM2.5 levels often reaching unhealthy ranges for sensitive groups, particularly noticeable if you're doing outdoor activities in the afternoons when pollution peaks
  • Spring break timing brings crowds from US universities during the second and third weeks of March, driving up prices at hostels and mid-range hotels in Roma and Condesa by 20-30% compared to early March

Best Activities in March

Teotihuacan Pyramid Sunrise Tours

March weather creates ideal conditions for the 2,400 m (7,874 ft) climb up the Pyramid of the Sun before crowds arrive. Mornings at 10-12°C (50-54°F) mean comfortable climbing temperatures, and the spring equinox week around March 20th adds cultural significance with traditional ceremonies. The dry conditions mean clear views across the valley that you won't get during summer rain season. Tours typically leave Mexico City at 5:30-6am to catch sunrise, returning by noon before afternoon heat peaks.

Booking Tip: Book 7-10 days ahead, particularly for equinox week when demand spikes. Tours typically cost 800-1,200 pesos including transportation and guide. Look for small group options under 12 people for better pyramid access. Early morning departures are essential - afternoon tours face harsh sun and crowds. See current tour options in the booking section below.

Xochimilco Trajinera Boat Tours

March hits the sweet spot before Easter crowds arrive in April. The canals are calm, jacaranda petals float on the water, and afternoon temperatures around 24-25°C (75-77°F) make the 2-3 hour boat rides comfortable without the summer rain interruptions. Weekday mornings offer the most authentic experience with fewer party boats. The chinampas floating gardens are vibrant after winter rains, and you'll spot more bird activity during spring migration.

Booking Tip: Weekend afternoons turn into floating parties with loud music - visit weekday mornings for a calmer experience. Boats accommodate 12-20 people and cost 500-700 pesos per hour regardless of group size, so gather travelers at your hostel to split costs. Bring cash for floating vendors selling food and drinks. Book through established cooperatives near the main embarcaderos. Check current options in the booking section below.

Chapultepec Park Museum Circuit

March mornings at 10-15°C (50-59°F) are perfect for walking the 686 hectare (1,695 acre) park between museums before afternoon heat. The Anthropology Museum alone requires 3-4 hours, and comfortable temperatures let you explore outdoor sections like the Aztec garden properly. Jacarandas bloom throughout the park, and spring migration brings unexpected bird species. The altitude at 2,240 m (7,349 ft) means strong UV even on cloudy days, but morning visits avoid the worst exposure.

Booking Tip: Museums close Mondays - plan accordingly. Anthropology Museum entry is 90 pesos, Tamayo and Modern Art around 75 pesos each. Arrive at Anthropology Museum right at 9am opening to see the Aztec Sun Stone and Mayan rooms before tour groups arrive around 10:30am. Download the museum app beforehand for English audio guides. Most museums don't require advance booking except special exhibitions.

Lucha Libre Wrestling Shows

Indoor evening entertainment perfect for March nights when temperatures drop to 12-14°C (54-57°F) and you want a break from walking. Arena Mexico hosts Friday night shows that are pure spectacle - masked wrestlers, theatrical drama, and local families cheering. The energy peaks during March as wrestlers prepare for major April events. Shows run 8:30pm-11pm, and the arena's atmosphere is impossible to replicate anywhere else. It's genuinely part of Mexico City culture, not a tourist trap.

Booking Tip: Tickets range 100-400 pesos depending on seating - mid-range seats around 200 pesos offer the best view-to-value ratio. Buy tickets at the arena box office day-of or through authorized sellers to avoid markup. Friday nights at Arena Mexico are most authentic, Tuesday shows cater more to tourists. Arrive 30 minutes early to soak in pre-show atmosphere. See current tour packages that include transportation in the booking section below.

Roma and Condesa Neighborhood Walking Tours

These neighborhoods are built for March weather - tree-lined streets provide shade during 25°C (77°F) afternoons, and the jacaranda blooms create natural canopies along Avenida Amsterdam and Avenida Alvaro Obregon. Art deco and colonial architecture looks spectacular in the clear spring light. Mornings around 10am offer perfect temperatures for 2-3 hour walks covering galleries, cafes, and street art. The altitude means you'll feel the sun intensity despite mild temperatures, but frequent cafe stops provide shade breaks.

Booking Tip: Self-guided walks work well with offline maps, but local guides provide context about the 1985 earthquake's impact and the neighborhoods' evolution that you won't get from apps. Walking tours typically cost 300-500 pesos for 2-3 hours in groups of 8-12 people. Book 3-5 days ahead during spring break weeks. Weekday mornings avoid weekend brunch crowds at popular spots. See current guided walking tour options in the booking section below.

Mercado Tours and Street Food Walks

March brings spring produce to markets - fresh fava beans, green garlic, and early stone fruit appear alongside year-round staples. Morning market tours from 9-11am avoid afternoon heat and catch vendors at peak energy. The dry weather means comfortable standing and eating at street stalls without rain concerns. Markets like San Juan, Medellin, and Jamaica offer different specialties, and the cooler mornings make sampling multiple stops more comfortable than summer's heat and humidity.

Booking Tip: Food tours typically run 900-1,500 pesos for 3-4 hours including 6-8 tastings. Look for tours led by chefs or food writers who explain ingredients and techniques, not just tastings. Morning tours are essential - afternoon heat affects food quality and vendor energy. Bring small bills for independent purchases. Tours should include at least one major market plus street stalls. Check current food tour options in the booking section below.

March Events & Festivals

March 20

Spring Equinox at Teotihuacan

March 20th draws tens of thousands to the pyramids for sunrise ceremonies where people dress in white and raise their hands to absorb cosmic energy. It's a mix of ancient tradition and modern spirituality - you'll see everyone from serious practitioners to curious tourists. The entire archaeological zone fills with vendors, musicians, and ceremonial dancers. Traffic to the site becomes chaotic, but the atmosphere is genuinely special if you can handle the crowds.

Late March

Festival del Centro Historico

Two-week performing arts festival typically running late March through early April transforms colonial buildings into concert venues and theaters. International and Mexican artists perform everything from classical music to contemporary dance. Many events are free, and the festival uses the historic center's architecture as backdrop. Specific 2026 dates weren't confirmed at time of writing, but it's run annually since 1985 during this period.

Mid March

Jacaranda Season Peak

Not an organized event but a natural phenomenon that defines March in CDMX. The purple blooms typically peak mid-to-late March, creating Instagram-worthy canopies throughout the city. Best viewing along Avenida Amsterdam in Condesa, throughout Parque Mexico, and along major avenues in Polanco. Locals plan picnics and outdoor activities around the blooms, and photographers crowd popular spots during golden hour.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Layering system for 15°C (27°F) temperature swings - lightweight merino or synthetic base layer, mid-weight fleece or sweater, and packable outer layer you can stuff in a daypack as temperatures climb to 25°C (77°F) by afternoon
SPF 50+ sunscreen and lip balm with SPF - UV index of 8 at 2,240 m (7,349 ft) altitude means you'll burn faster than at sea level, even on overcast days when you don't feel the heat
Comfortable walking shoes with ankle support - you'll average 15,000-20,000 steps daily on uneven colonial-era sidewalks and cobblestones, and the altitude makes your feet work harder
Light rain jacket or packable poncho - those 10 rainy days typically bring brief afternoon showers lasting 20-30 minutes, enough to soak you but not worth canceling plans over
Reusable water bottle with filter - staying hydrated at altitude is critical, but you'll want filtered water rather than buying plastic bottles constantly, tap water isn't safe to drink
Pollution mask rated N95 or KN95 - air quality deteriorates through March, particularly affecting sensitive individuals during outdoor activities, locals wear them on high pollution days
Small daypack 20-25 liters - essential for carrying those layers you'll shed, plus water, sunscreen, and purchases, crossbody bags work but backpacks distribute weight better at altitude
Cash in small denominations - many markets, street food vendors, and neighborhood restaurants don't accept cards, ATMs dispense large bills that vendors can't break, carry 20 and 50 peso notes
Portable charger - you'll drain your phone battery with maps, translation apps, and photos, and not all cafes and museums have accessible outlets
Basic Spanish phrases written down - while Roma and Condesa are increasingly English-friendly, markets and neighborhood spots require at least basic Spanish, having phrases visible helps when you forget under pressure

Insider Knowledge

Air quality apps like Aire CDMX show real-time pollution levels - check before planning outdoor activities, and consider indoor museum days when PM2.5 exceeds 100, locals adjust their schedules based on these readings and you should too
The altitude at 2,240 m (7,349 ft) affects everyone differently - your first two days expect headaches, shortness of breath on stairs, and faster alcohol intoxication, locals recommend drinking twice your normal water intake and avoiding heavy meals initially
Metro Line 1 between Insurgentes and Balderas stations gets impossibly crowded 7-9am and 6-8pm weekdays - either time your travel outside these windows or take Line 3 as an alternative route, women-only cars at rush hour are marked with pink signs
Restaurant reservations through OpenTable or direct WhatsApp work better than phone calls - many top spots like Quintonil, Pujol, and Rosetta book 2-3 weeks ahead for weekend dinners, but weekday lunches often have walk-in availability
Uber and Didi work reliably but use sitio taxis from official stands at museums and tourist sites - they cost 20-30% more but avoid the rare security issues with ride-sharing, always verify license plates match the app before getting in
Sunday Reforma Avenue closes to cars 8am-2pm creating a massive bike and pedestrian corridor - rent bikes near Chapultepec for 50-80 pesos and join thousands of locals, it's the best way to see the monuments without traffic chaos
Markets close by 5-6pm and many restaurants close between lunch and dinner service 4-7pm - plan accordingly rather than assuming US-style all-day service, this catches tourists off guard constantly
Credit cards work widely in Roma, Condesa, and Polanco but carry 500-1,000 pesos cash daily for markets, street food, and neighborhood spots - ATM fees run 50-70 pesos per withdrawal so take larger amounts less frequently

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating altitude impact and trying to maintain sea-level activity pace the first 48 hours - you'll see tourists huffing up museum stairs and nursing headaches because they didn't slow down and hydrate properly during acclimatization
Booking accommodations in Centro Historico thinking it's the best base - while historic and interesting, it empties out at night and lacks the restaurant and nightlife density of Roma, Condesa, or Polanco where you actually want to spend evenings
Wearing shorts and tank tops to churches and upscale restaurants - Mexico City is more conservative and formal than beach destinations, locals dress up for dinner and religious sites require covered shoulders and knees, tourists in beach wear stand out awkwardly
Taking green and white libre taxis from the street instead of official sitio stands or ride-sharing apps - while most drivers are honest, the security risk isn't worth the minor cost savings of 20-30 pesos, locals avoid them entirely
Scheduling back-to-back activities without accounting for traffic - what Google Maps shows as 20 minutes can take 60 minutes during rush hours, build 30-minute buffers between commitments or you'll spend your vacation stressed in traffic

Explore Activities in Mexico City

Plan Your Perfect Trip

Get insider tips and travel guides delivered to your inbox

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.