Things to Do in Chiang Mai in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Chiang Mai
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Final weeks of dry season before monsoon arrives - you'll catch mostly clear skies with only occasional afternoon showers (10 rainy days total), perfect for temple hopping and mountain drives without mud-soaked roads
- Temperatures actually drop from February's peak heat - mornings start pleasant at 20°C (68°F) before climbing to 35°C (95°F), giving you comfortable windows for outdoor activities if you time things right
- Sonkran Water Festival hits mid-April, so March accommodation prices stay reasonable (typically 20-30% below April rates) and major temples like Doi Suthep aren't mobbed yet - you'll actually get contemplative moments
- Mango season peaks in March - every market overflows with Nam Dok Mai and Khieo Sawoei varieties at ฿40-60 per kilo, and sticky rice vendors appear on every corner selling khao niao mamuang that locals queue for
Considerations
- Burning season reaches its worst in March - farmers clear fields across northern Thailand creating thick haze that obscures mountain views and pushes PM2.5 levels above 150 on bad days, making it genuinely unpleasant for people with respiratory issues
- That 70% humidity combined with 35°C (95°F) afternoon heat creates the kind of sticky warmth where you'll want to shower twice daily - not ideal if you're planning all-day outdoor adventures
- March sits in this awkward shoulder period where some businesses start closing for Songkran preparations late in the month, and tour operators haven't quite hit their April-May stride yet
Best Activities in March
Early morning temple circuits in Old City
March mornings between 6-9am offer the sweet spot before heat and haze intensify - temperatures hover around 22-25°C (72-77°F) and air quality tends to be better after overnight settling. The Old City's temple loop (Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Chiang Man) becomes walkable without melting, and you'll catch monks receiving alms around 6:30am. The variable weather actually works in your favor here since occasional cloud cover filters that UV index 8 sun.
Doi Inthanon National Park morning trips
Thailand's highest peak sits at 2,565 m (8,415 ft) where temperatures drop 10-15°C (18-27°F) below city levels - you'll actually want a light jacket up there. March timing matters because you're racing the haze, which tends to be lighter early morning before valley air rises. The twin pagodas, waterfalls, and hill tribe villages make sense as half-day trips starting at 6am, returning by 1pm before afternoon heat peaks. That 0.8 inches of March rain rarely disrupts mountain roads yet.
Cooking classes with market tours
March's mango glut and pre-monsoon vegetable harvest mean markets overflow with seasonal produce that makes cooking classes genuinely interesting. The format works perfectly for hot afternoons - you're mostly indoors with occasional market walks under cover. Classes typically run 9am-2pm or 3pm-8pm, teaching 5-6 dishes with market sourcing. That 70% humidity actually helps with steaming and the wet cooking techniques northern Thai food relies on.
Evening Ping River activities and night markets
After-dark Chiang Mai solves March's heat problem entirely - temperatures drop to comfortable 24-26°C (75-79°F) by 7pm and that humidity becomes less oppressive. The Ping River area comes alive with restaurants, bars, and the Saturday/Sunday Walking Streets that locals actually attend. Night markets (Ploen Ruedee, Kalare) run 6pm-midnight with food stalls doing ฿40-80 dishes. The variable weather means occasional evening showers, but they're brief and markets have covered sections.
Elephant ethical sanctuary visits
March weather suits sanctuary visits since elephants stay active in warm conditions and water activities (bathing, mud spa) work with those occasional 10 rainy days. Morning programs (8am-1pm) avoid peak afternoon heat at 35°C (95°F). The no-riding ethical sanctuaries that have replaced old-style camps offer feeding, walking, and observation that makes sense in 4-5 hour blocks. Book places that limit group sizes to 8-10 people maximum.
Cafe and coworking afternoon retreats
Chiang Mai's cafe culture exists partly because locals escape midday heat in air-conditioned spaces - you should too. Between 1-5pm when it hits 33-35°C (91-95°F) with that 70% humidity, dozens of cafes around Nimmanhaemin and Old City offer quality coffee (฿60-120), reliable wifi, and comfortable seating. March's digital nomad population is moderate (not peak season), so you'll find space without booking. The haze actually makes outdoor terraces less appealing, pushing everyone inside.
March Events & Festivals
Chiang Mai Flower Festival
First weekend of March (typically the first Friday through Sunday) brings three days of flower displays, parades with floral floats, beauty pageants, and plant sales at Suan Buak Haad Park and Nong Buak Haad Public Park. The timing capitalizes on cool-season blooms before hot season wilts everything. Locals actually attend this one - it's not purely tourist-facing. Parade happens Saturday morning around 8am starting from the Railway Station, and the flower displays stay up through Sunday evening.