Our Editors Find the Best Places to Go Every Year: Here's Where to Visit in March
The year's only just about to end, but it's never too early to consider the best places to travel in March and make good on those new year's resolutions to “travel more” and “live life to the fullest.” (Or is that just me?) This selection of five destinations, inspired by our list of the Best Places to Go in 2026—and one of our favorite hotel openings of 2025—are ideal for savoring a less-expected time to travel: Rainy season in Botswana? The landscape is lusher and the lodge prices lower. March in Australia? They're savoring the last bits of their summer Down Under while we're looking forward to spring. Anywhere you go, we've got you covered—here are the best places to travel in March. (For more inspiration, visit our hub for all things Best Places to Go.)
This gallery has been updated since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Caitlin Morton, Pippa de Bruyn, Amber Gibson, Ute Junker, and John Wogan.
Courtesy Montage Big SkyBig Sky, Montana
Why go in March:
If you think ski season is over by the time March rolls around, think again: Montana’s Big Sky Resort doesn’t close its slopes until late April, meaning you can still enjoy prime conditions during this month. Big Sky features an incredible 5,850 acres of skiable terrain, with sizable portions dedicated to both beginner and expert runs (keep an eye out for the brand-new Lone Peak Tram opening this winter.) It’s easily one of the best ski destinations in the country, but the region offers so much more than rides down the slopes. Yellowstone National Park is just an hour away, for example, and the park’s geothermal pools look even more brilliant set against a backdrop of snow.
Where to stay:
One of the hottest hotel openings of 2025 is the One&Only Moonlight Basin in Big Sky, the Dubai-based brand's first in the US. Condé Nast Traveler editor Hannah Towey was the first guest to stay at the property this past November when it opened, and she described it in her full review as the “next-generation modern ski resort, where alpine adventure can be enjoyed year-round.” With large elegant rooms, dining venues that grant spectacular mountain views, and service that anticipates your every need, it's a definite must-visit. It joins other alpine properties in the area like Montage Big Sky and Lone Mountain Ranch, all of which are perfect for getting into the cowboy-core lifestyle.
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GettyPort Stephens, Australia
Why go in March:
Perfect for March—or rather, the end of summer Down Under—Port Stephens offers the classic Aussie holiday: barefoot days, dolphin sightings, and beaches that stretch on for miles. Historically known for take-out joints parking lots filled with camper vans, this area just two hours north of Sydney is welcoming a crop of new stylish stays. On top of that, travelers come here for the World Heritage–listed rainforest trails of the Barrington Tops National Park, camel rides on Stockton Beach, and encounters with Australia’s furry mascots at the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary. Adding to the appeal, the Newcastle Art Gallery—about a 30-minute drive from Port Stephens—is set to fully reopen in February 2026 following a major expansion that will double its size, making it the largest art gallery outside Sydney. With international flights now landing at the nearby Newcastle Airport, a gateway to Port Stephens and the Hunter Valley wine region, the area is officially booming.
Where to stay:
A couple of ribbon-cuttings got the party started in 2025: First it was The Ambers, a chic private retreat sleeping just 22 people. It was closely followed by the ocean-view Marina Resort, perfect for travelers who want to be close to the main port (D’Albora Marina) without sacrificing a resort-style stay. In February 2026, B Farm, which takes a homesteading approach similar to South Africa’s famous Babylonstoren, will be rolling out a range of accommodations, including tiny houses, glamping suites with plunge pools, and cabins with outdoor baths, and activities like sheep feeding, pony grooming, cooking classes, perfume workshops, and soapmaking.
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UnsplashSeoul, Korea
Why go in March:
With K-pop, K-dramas, K-beauty, and K-more dominating the global culture, it's always a good time to go to the source: Seoul. This coming March is an especially smart time to do so to try the expanded public transit—yes, there are some of us who travel purely for the subway—when the the Seohae Line extension will be completed, making it easier to head outside the city center to explore smaller local museums and local beauty spots. Additionally, there's a lot to see for art fans: Frieze House Seoul has opened a permanent exhibition space connecting global and local art scenes with year-round gallery residencies and events in Yaksu-dong, a neighborhood emerging as a center for creativity. Photo SeMA in Chang-dong and the Seo-Seoul Museum of Art in Geumcheon are recently opened outposts of the Seoul Museum of Art focusing on photography and digital media, respectively; while Park Seo-bo Museum Seoul is dedicated to one of South Korea’s seminal contemporary artists. Plus, expanding airline networks mean it’s never been easier to fly into Seoul.
Where to stay:
There are a handful of highly anticipated hotel openings in the Korean capital, but these debuts from international brands won't be happening for a while: Rosewood and Janu (the younger sibling of Aman) are set to arrive in 2027, while Mandarin Oriental will enter South Korea in 2030. Until then, the best hotels in Seoul will keep you more than comfortable, particularly Josun Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seoul Gangnam, which was on Condé Nast Traveler's Hot List in 2022 and on the Gold List in 2024.
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The Ritz-Carlton O'ahu, Turtle BayOahu, Hawaii
Why go in March:
Though Hawaii is wetter in March, the month is perfect for catching big waves and incredible whale watching opportunities. Additionally, it's an ideal time to escape the last bits of winter in North America and get some sun—but before the spring breakers descend on the Hawaiian islands. In 2026 in particular, it feels like Oahu is particularly of the moment, as it leans into a cultural resurgence that celebrates its heritage without slipping (too much, anyway) into kitsch. Other reasons to visit? Cirque du Soleil’s ʻAuana residency at the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel, an only-in-Hawaii performance that blends the company’s theatrical spectacle with a hula lineage fitting its location (it debuted in December 2024 and will run through 2026). Meanwhile, downtown Honolulu is buzzing: The Hawaii Theatre Center which celebrated 100 years in 2022, continues with its island-inspired concerts, retro cinema nights, and other entertainment. And new nightlife spots like EP Bar, with its 3,000-strong vinyl library, and Yours Truly, a subterranean speakeasy hidden beneath a faux post office, channel Japanese hi-fi culture and Prohibition-era discretion, respectively.
Where to stay:
It’s been more than a century since Waikiki’s Moana Surfrider hotel first opened its white-columned doors to travelers chasing the South Pacific dream, and in March 2026, to celebrate its 125th birthday, the “First Lady of Waikiki” will emerge from a major renovation that preserves its Victorian bones while layering in new, design-forward details. And for exploring else where, the best hotels in Hawaii have you covered, whether you're looking for family-friendly fun or a romantic getaway.
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- Okavango Delta</a>. Whether you’ve not yet been, or are dreaming to return, 2026 is the year to do so. March falls within the so-called “emerald” or green season (November to April), when the landscape is still verdantly wet from the rains. At this time, the area becomes a birder's paradise, with plenty of opportunities to see migratory birds flying in and out. As for the terrestrial wildlife, this is their birthing season, offering the chance to get up close and personal with the circle of life. Plus, the hot weather with dramatic afternoon thunderstorms (you can handle it, promise) means that prices at lodges are lower and crowds are fewer.\n<strong>Where to stay:</strong>\nIt’s also the year that sees luxury safari outfitter Singita’s first foray into the Delta. Opening this month in a 170,000-hectare concession, <a href=https://www.cntraveler.com/"https://singita.com/lodge/singita-elela//" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Singita Elela</a> will have five one-bedroom exclusive-use camps, each serviced by a personal team, plus two two-bedroom and four-bedroom camps (from $3,100 per person). Another Delta blessing is <a href=https://www.cntraveler.com/"https://desertdelta.com/camps/sediba-sa-rona//" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Sediba Sa Rona</a><strong>,</strong> opening in March 2026. A complete overhaul but using the original footprint of the iconic <a href=https://www.cntraveler.com/"https://www.cntraveler.com/hotels/botswana/moremi-game-reserve/khwai-river-lodge--okavango-delta/">Khwai River Lodge</a>, Desert & Delta Safaris have given the grande dame of Khwai an elegant makeover, capitalizing on her fabulous location. Wherever you stay, just being in the Delta, so lush after the record-breaking pula, is to experience an intravenous hit of pure, unadulterated joy.\n<strong>More intel:</strong>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=https://www.cntraveler.com/"https://www.cntraveler.com/story/best-places-to-go-in-africa-2026/" target=\"_blank\">The Best Places to Go in Africa in 2026</a></li>\n<li><a href=https://www.cntraveler.com/"https://www.cntraveler.com/story/go-on-safari-with-your-friends/" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Why You Should Go on Safari With Your Friends</strong></a></li>\n<li><a href=https://www.cntraveler.com/"https://www.cntraveler.com/story/african-safari-with-kids/" target=\"_blank\"><strong>How Young Is Too Young for Kids to Go on an African Safari?</strong></a></li>\n</ul>","contentType":"photo","credit":"guenterguni","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":213,"width":320,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/6939b2e096ccb7d3637e930b/master/w_320,c_limit/GettyImages-1063468900.jpg"},{"height":426,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/6939b2e096ccb7d3637e930b/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-1063468900.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":426,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/6939b2e096ccb7d3637e930b/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-1063468900.jpg"},{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/6939b2e096ccb7d3637e930b/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-1063468900.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":682,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/6939b2e096ccb7d3637e930b/master/w_1024,c_limit/GettyImages-1063468900.jpg"},{"height":1364,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/6939b2e096ccb7d3637e930b/master/w_2048,c_limit/GettyImages-1063468900.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/6939b2e096ccb7d3637e930b/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-1063468900.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/6939b2e096ccb7d3637e930b/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-1063468900.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
guenterguniOkavango Delta, Botswana
Why go in March:
In Botswana, rain fell long and hard in 2025, and the highest flood levels since 2017 carved fresh waterways and seeding new life in the game-rich Okavango Delta. Whether you’ve not yet been, or are dreaming to return, 2026 is the year to do so. March falls within the so-called “emerald” or green season (November to April), when the landscape is still verdantly wet from the rains. At this time, the area becomes a birder's paradise, with plenty of opportunities to see migratory birds flying in and out. As for the terrestrial wildlife, this is their birthing season, offering the chance to get up close and personal with the circle of life. Plus, the hot weather with dramatic afternoon thunderstorms (you can handle it, promise) means that prices at lodges are lower and crowds are fewer.
Where to stay:
It’s also the year that sees luxury safari outfitter Singita’s first foray into the Delta. Opening this month in a 170,000-hectare concession, Singita Elela will have five one-bedroom exclusive-use camps, each serviced by a personal team, plus two two-bedroom and four-bedroom camps (from $3,100 per person). Another Delta blessing is Sediba Sa Rona, opening in March 2026. A complete overhaul but using the original footprint of the iconic Khwai River Lodge, Desert & Delta Safaris have given the grande dame of Khwai an elegant makeover, capitalizing on her fabulous location. Wherever you stay, just being in the Delta, so lush after the record-breaking pula, is to experience an intravenous hit of pure, unadulterated joy.
More intel:
