March kicks off the best season for travel—an uncrowded time when spring is in the air and outdoor adventures are everywhere. Here at Backroads, we love our early spring trips, which showcase the best of far-flung destinations like Morocco and Costa Rica along with at-their-best US destinations like Santa Barbara and Sedona.
Top Places to Go in March
Come with us as we take you around the world for the best of March active travel.
Santa Barbara & California’s Central Coast
In Santa Barbara, March is a time for locals and visitors-in-the-know, a season when the weather is mild and the rainy season is wrapping up. On a March trip, sip Central Coast wines in Los Olivos, pedal vineyard-lined rural country roads, hike the Santa Ynez mountains and kayak the coast, keeping an eye out for the seals and dolphins—and if you’re lucky, a migrating gray whale—that are common at this time of year. To maximize your chances at wildlife sightings, choose one of our trips that takes you to the Channel Islands, sometimes called North America’s Galápagos.
Learn more about Backroads’ Santa Barbara and Central Coast trips.
Sedona
With its dramatic red-rock formations, winding trails and clear desert skies, Sedona is made for an active spring escape. March brings comfortable conditions for exploring this iconic Arizona landscape on foot, whether you’re hiking among towering sandstone formations or venturing farther afield on a Multi-Adventure journey. Go beyond Sedona to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on a trip that pairs two of the Southwest’s most spectacular landscapes or settle into Sedona for a shorter hiking getaway. Whichever route you choose, you’ll find a landscape that invites exploration.
Morocco
March is an ideal time to experience Morocco on foot, when you can explore the country’s extraordinary landscapes and rich cultural heritage in a single unforgettable journey. Walk through the coastal town of Essaouira, explore villages and orchards in the Atlas Mountains and follow trails through rugged mountain and desert landscapes. Along the way, meet local friends, experience Moroccan hospitality and savor the flavors of the country with a cooking experience in a Marrakech riad. From the peaceful Atlas Mountains to the vibrant energy of Marrakech, Morocco delivers an active adventure filled with remarkable contrasts.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s verdant jungles and rain forests rely on the country’s tropical rain, but you can make the most of the country’s dry season with a March trip. It’s an ideal time to bike in the shadow of Arenal Volcano then soak in natural hot springs. Hike in the cloud forest, stopping for a coffee tasting at a local farm. Try your hand at tortilla making on a visit to a local home. Or take a surfing lesson and do yoga on the beach on the Nicoya Peninsula. Bonus: This drier time of year coaxes animals to lakes and rivers, making this a great time of year to see Costa Rica’s famous wildlife.
Mendoza, Argentina
In Mendoza, adventure and wine go hand in hand. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Andes, this Argentine wine country is a spectacular place to spend March, with opportunities to bike quiet roads through vineyards, hike in the mountains and ride horseback through the grassy foothills. Add to these a behind-the-scenes vineyard experience, a rafting adventure on the Mendoza River and a taste of local gaucho culture, and you have a trip that combines the best of active travel and Argentina’s celebrated food and wine traditions.
Want more travel stories and tips? Sign up for our emails:
More Travel Inspiration
