Things to Do in Venezuela in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Venezuela
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Dry season conditions across most of Venezuela - March sits right in the sweet spot with minimal rainfall (95 mm or 3.7 inches total) and clear skies perfect for Angel Falls viewing when water flow is still strong from recent wet season
- Wildlife viewing peaks in Los Llanos plains as animals concentrate around shrinking water sources - you'll see capybaras, caimans, and anacondas in numbers that simply don't happen during wetter months when they're dispersed across flooded grasslands
- Caribbean coast water visibility reaches 20-25 m (65-82 ft) for diving and snorkeling around Los Roques and Morrocoy, with calm seas and water temperatures around 26°C (79°F) making it genuinely comfortable for extended water time
- Shoulder pricing before Easter crowds - accommodations typically run 20-30% cheaper than April, and you'll actually get beach space to yourself at Playa Medina and Cayo de Agua without the elbow-to-elbow tourist density
Considerations
- Heat builds through the month with afternoon temperatures pushing 32-34°C (90-93°F) in lowland areas like Caracas and Maracaibo, and that 70% humidity makes it feel closer to 38°C (100°F) - outdoor activities after 11am become genuinely uncomfortable
- End of dry season means some waterfalls in Henri Pittier National Park run thin compared to wet season volumes, though Angel Falls maintains impressive flow through March before dropping significantly in April and May
- Currency and payment infrastructure remains challenging - credit cards work sporadically outside major hotels, ATMs often empty or offline, and you'll need US dollars in cash for most transactions with exchange rates fluctuating daily
Best Activities in March
Los Llanos Wildlife Safari Drives
March is actually THE month for wildlife in the plains - as seasonal lagoons dry up, animals concentrate around remaining water sources in numbers you won't see any other time. Early morning drives (starting 5:30-6am before heat builds) put you within meters of capybara herds, spectacled caimans, and if you're lucky, anacondas hunting along shrinking pools. The dry ground means 4x4 vehicles can access areas that are underwater from May through November. Temperature-wise, you'll want those early starts - by 10am it's pushing 35°C (95°F) with zero shade on the plains.
Angel Falls Fly-In Excursions
March offers the best balance you'll get - enough water flow to make Salto Angel genuinely impressive (it drops to a trickle by May) but with clear skies for the flight from Canaima. The falls plunge 979 m (3,212 ft) and in March you'll actually see the full drop without cloud cover obscuring the top third. Small plane flights from Ciudad Bolivar work about 85% of days in March versus 60% in wetter months when clouds socked in. That said, the flight itself can be bumpy in afternoon thermals - morning departures are worth the early wake-up.
Los Roques Archipelago Island-Hopping
The Caribbean water clarity in March is genuinely exceptional - 20-25 m (65-82 ft) visibility makes snorkeling around the 350+ cays actually worthwhile. Water temperature sits around 26°C (79°F), warm enough for extended swimming without wetsuit but not the bathwater warmth that can feel uncomfortable. Winds are lighter than January-February, meaning boat rides between cays are smoother and you can access more remote spots. The catch: UV index of 8 means you'll burn in 15 minutes without SPF 50+ reapplication every hour.
Roraima Tepui Trekking
March sits at the tail end of the optimal trekking window before April rains make the trail a mudslide. The 6-day trek to the top of this 2,810 m (9,219 ft) table mountain involves serious elevation gain, but March temperatures are cooler than lowland Venezuela - expect 12-18°C (54-64°F) at the summit with occasional fog. The unique ecosystem on top (carnivorous plants, crystal valleys, rock formations) is accessible in March without the knee-deep mud that characterizes May through November. You'll need moderate fitness - 5-7 hours hiking per day with a 10-12 kg (22-26 lb) pack.
Morrocoy National Park Beach and Snorkeling
Calmer seas in March make the boat rides to outer cays like Cayo Sombrero and Cayo Peraza actually pleasant rather than the choppy crossings you get in windier months. Water visibility reaches 15-20 m (49-65 ft) around coral formations, and you'll spot queen angelfish, parrotfish, and occasional sea turtles. The mangrove channels are navigable in March before seasonal water level drops. Beach-wise, you'll get genuine sand space on weekdays - weekends see Caracas day-trippers, but nothing like April's Easter crush.
Merida Cable Car and Andean Villages
The Teleferico de Merida (currently operating to Loma Redonda station at 4,045 m or 13,271 ft while upper sections undergo maintenance through 2026) offers escape from coastal heat - you'll go from 28°C (82°F) in Merida city to 8-12°C (46-54°F) at the top in 25 minutes. March brings clear mountain views about 70% of mornings before afternoon clouds roll in. The surrounding villages like Los Nevados and Jaji are accessible for day trips, offering trout fishing, coffee farm tours, and genuinely cooler temperatures if lowland heat is wearing you down.
March Events & Festivals
Semana Santa Preparation Markets
While Easter itself typically falls in April, late March sees traditional food markets ramping up across Venezuelan cities with vendors selling ingredients for hallacas (corn dough parcels), pan de jamon, and dulce de lechosa. The Mercado de Chacao in Caracas and markets in Valencia become genuinely interesting for food-focused travelers wanting to see local preparations. Not a tourist event, which is exactly what makes it worth experiencing - you'll be the only non-Venezuelan there.