United States (Puerto Rico), Central America & Caribbean

Puerto Rico in March

Excellent weather colliding with spring break. San Juan's beach hotels are fullest and priciest; the west coast and Vieques feel it less.

GoodSunny and dry, highs near 84F (29C)

Aerial view of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico — Puerto RicoPhoto: Coolcaesar, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

March is a good month to visit Puerto Rico. Excellent weather colliding with spring break. San Juan's beach hotels are fullest and priciest; the west coast and Vieques feel it less.

Weather: Sunny and dry, highs near 84F (29C)
Crowds: 5 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What March is like in Puerto Rico

March has excellent weather, with highs near 84F (29C) and sunny, dry days. It also collides with spring break, and San Juan's beach hotels are at their fullest and priciest. The last weeks of whale season continue off the northwest coast. The west coast and Vieques feel the crowds less than San Juan.

It suits families on spring break and travelers who book early. If you want quieter beaches, base yourself in Rincon or on Vieques instead of Condado or Isla Verde. If you are flexible, the weeks after Easter in April offer similar weather with fewer people.

Make the most of March

What is especially good about Puerto Rico this month.

Last of whale season

Humpbacks still pass the northwest coast early in the month.

Mosquito Bay on Vieques

Kayak through glowing water on a moonless night. Swimming is not allowed to protect the organisms.

Rincon sunsets

The west coast is calmer than San Juan and the sunsets over the open sea are superb.

What to pack for March

Swimwear and water shoes
Reef-safe sunscreen
Insect repellent for evening tours
A light layer for night kayaking

Our timing tip

Book your Mosquito Bay tour for a night near the new moon, when the glow is strongest.

Book Puerto Rico for March.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Puerto Rico
Opens a hotel search for Puerto Rico in March, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for March
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Puerto Rico
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Puerto Rico
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Puerto Rico for March. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in March

Humpback whale season

Roughly January through March

Whales pass close to the northwest coast; the lighthouse park at Rincon is a classic shore-watching spot.

Things to do in Puerto Rico

Full guide

Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristobal

The two great forts of San Juan National Historic Site. Go at opening before the cruise-ship wave, then fly a kite on El Morro's lawn like the locals do.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

El Yunque National Forest

Waterfalls, cloud forest, and the tower views from Yokahu and Mt. Britton. Check the forest's site for current access rules and reservations before you go, and start early to beat both crowds and afternoon rain.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Mosquito Bay, Vieques

Paddle a kayak through glowing water on a moonless night. Swimming is prohibited to protect the organisms; schedule around the new moon for the best show.

Tickets and tours →

Flamenco Beach, Culebra

A horseshoe of white sand regularly ranked among the best beaches in the Caribbean. Ferries from Ceiba fill fast on weekends and holidays; small planes are the backup.

Tickets and tours →

Old San Juan on foot

Calle del Cristo, the Paseo de la Princesa, and the city walls at sunset. Weekday evenings after the cruise ships leave are the calmest.

Tickets and tours →

Rincon and the west coast

The island's surf capital, busy with swells roughly November through March and glassy for snorkeling in summer. Sunsets here face the open sea.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Check the cruise schedule for San Juan: Old San Juan is noticeably busier on multi-ship days, so do the forts and Calle del Cristo on light days or after 4pm.
Aim for the post-Easter window in late April and early May, when winter weather mostly holds and hotel rates fall.
Do El Yunque at opening on a weekday. By late morning the main trail parking fills, and afternoon showers are common.
Book Vieques and Culebra ferries or flights well ahead for weekends and holidays, when locals fill the boats too; midweek is far easier.

Know before you go

September and October: some smaller hotels, restaurants, and tour operators close for a few weeks of maintenance or vacation, especially on Vieques and Culebra. Verify before building a trip around one.
The bioluminescent bays are best on moonless nights and can dim temporarily after heavy rain or storms. Tour operators will tell you honestly how the bay is glowing that week.
El Yunque's roads and trails can close after heavy rain or storm damage; check current conditions and any reservation requirement on the official forest site before driving out.
Major holidays (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Three Kings Day, Good Friday) shut government offices and many shops; restaurants in tourist areas mostly stay open.

Puerto Rico in March, quick answers

Is March a good time to visit Puerto Rico?

March is a good month to visit Puerto Rico. Excellent weather colliding with spring break. San Juan's beach hotels are fullest and priciest; the west coast and Vieques feel it less.

What is the weather like in Puerto Rico in March?

Sunny and dry, highs near 84F (29C).

Is Puerto Rico crowded in March?

March is peak crowd season in Puerto Rico; expect lines at the headline sights.

What is happening in Puerto Rico in March?

Humpback whale season (roughly january through march).