Where to travel in March: between two seasons

Jordan: a brief green spring

In March the hills and valleys of northern Jordan are often greener than at any other time, with wildflowers among the stones. In Petra the days suit long walks up to the Monastery or the High Place of Sacrifice, and the canyon walk from Dana to Feynan isn't yet hot. In Wadi Rum the days are warm but camp nights still cold – which only sharpens the stars.

Watch for: March and April are popular, especially around Easter, so good Wadi Rum camps and hotels near Petra are worth securing early. The highlands can still see rain or a late cold snap.

Cambodia: Angkor before the heat

March in Cambodia is the end of the dry season. It's already hot and getting hotter each day, so Angkor's temples are best at dawn and in the late afternoon, with midday spent in shade or by a pool. In return the roads are dry, the skies clear, and outlying temples such as Beng Mealea and Kulen are reachable without mud. In the south, sea breezes ease the days in Kampot and Kep, and the islands around Koh Rong Samloem are usually calm.

Belize: dry season and the reef

Belize's dry season generally runs from about February to May, and March sits right in the middle. Jungle roads to Maya cities and caves are drier, and the sea along the barrier reef is usually calm and clear – a good time for snorkelling or heading out to the outer atolls. It's a small country, so even ten days combines jungle and island without hurry. Worth knowing: access to caves such as Actun Tunichil Muknal depends on water levels and on rules that can change.

Argentina: harvest time

While our spring is only beginning, Argentina's autumn is starting. In Mendoza and the Uco Valley the grape harvest usually runs from February to April, and early March often brings Mendoza's big harvest festival. In the Andean foothills the days are warm, the evenings cool, and the vine leaves slowly begin to turn. In Buenos Aires the sticky summer heat eases and the city is good for long walks again. Iguazú is still hot and humid in March, but the falls usually carry plenty of water.

The UAE: the last cool weeks

In the Emirates March is usually the last truly comfortable month: warm days, a pleasant sea and still-cool nights in the Liwa dunes. It's a good time to see more than the cities – Abu Dhabi's museums, the oasis at Al Ain, the Hatta mountains or the northern cliffs towards Musandam. By April the heat is strongly felt. Note that Ramadan moves each year; in some of the coming years it partly overlaps with March, when daily rhythms and opening hours change and evenings are especially lively.

March at a glance

• Jordan – green hills, comfortable Petra, cold desert nights; book early, especially around Easter.
• Cambodia – dry and clear but hot; temples at dawn, midday in the shade.
• Belize – dry season, calm sea and reef; cave access depends on conditions.
• Argentina – grape harvest and early autumn; Iguazú still hot.
• The Emirates – the last comfortable month before the heat; check Ramadan dates.