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Ubon Ratchathani - Things to Do in Ubon Ratchathani in March

Things to Do in Ubon Ratchathani in March

March weather, activities, events & insider tips

March Weather in Ubon Ratchathani

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70% Humidity

Is March Right for You?

Advantages

  • Peak festival season with the Candle Festival preparations beginning - you'll catch local artisans crafting massive wax sculptures in temple courtyards, particularly at Wat Thung Si Meuang, weeks before the July event. Most tourists miss this entire creative process.
  • Mekong River levels are stable and navigable after the dry season drop, making boat trips to Pha Taem National Park and the Two-Color River confluence actually pleasant. Water's clear enough to see the sandstone formations beneath the surface at certain points.
  • Shoulder season pricing means guesthouses along Chayangkoon Road run 30-40% cheaper than December-January rates, and you can walk into restaurants without the tour bus crowds that descend during cool season.
  • Morning temperatures around 20-24°C (68-75°F) create perfect cycling conditions for the 45 km (28 mile) rural temple circuit northeast of the city before the heat builds. Locals do their market shopping before 9am for good reason.

Considerations

  • Afternoon heat regularly pushes past 35°C (95°F), and that 70% humidity makes outdoor activities genuinely uncomfortable between noon and 4pm. You'll need to structure your days around this, not just tough it out.
  • March sits in an awkward gap between major festivals - too late for the February Flower Festival in nearby Khong Chiam, too early for the Candle Festival and Rocket Festival. If you're coming specifically for cultural events, April or July work better.
  • Those 10 rainy days typically mean sudden afternoon downpours that flood low-lying areas near Thung Si Meuang Park within 20 minutes. The drainage system hasn't caught up with recent development, so plan indoor alternatives for 3-5pm daily.

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Best Activities in March

Pha Taem National Park cliff-top sunrise viewing

March mornings offer crystal-clear visibility across the Mekong into Laos, with mist burning off the river valley right as the sun breaks. The 3,000-year-old rock paintings are best photographed in soft morning light before 8am, and you'll have the cliff edge practically to yourself on weekdays. Temperature at the 400 m (1,312 ft) elevation runs 5-7°C (9-13°F) cooler than the city, making the 1.2 km (0.75 mile) trail walk actually comfortable. The park sees maybe 30 visitors on a typical March weekday versus 200+ in December.

Booking Tip: Entry fee is ฿200 for foreigners. Hire a songthaew from Khong Chiam district for ฿800-1,200 roundtrip including 2-hour wait time, or rent a motorbike for ฿250-300 per day and ride yourself. Leave the city by 4:45am to catch sunrise around 6:15am. Book accommodation in Khong Chiam the night before rather than doing the 90 km (56 mile) predawn drive from Ubon city.

Mekong River boat trips to Sam Phan Bok

The Grand Canyon of Thailand is only accessible March through May when water levels drop enough to expose the sandstone formations. March specifically offers the sweet spot - enough water recession to see the rock pools and holes, but not so low that boats struggle with sandbars like they do in April. The 3-hour boat ride from Pho Sai district costs ฿1,500-2,000 per boat holding up to 6 people, and you'll want to go early morning when the rock formations create dramatic shadows. Water temperature hovers around 25°C (77°F), perfect for wading through the shallow pools.

Booking Tip: Arrange boats through guesthouses in Pho Sai village or directly with boat operators at the pier. Book 2-3 days ahead during weekends, though weekday mornings you can usually negotiate on the spot. Bring water shoes - the sandstone is sharp and slippery. Tours typically run ฿250-400 per person if you join a shared boat. See current tour options in the booking section below for organized trips that include hotel pickup.

Rural Isan village cycling routes

The countryside northeast of Ubon between Warin Chamrap and Phibun Mangsahan districts shows off rice fields in their dry-season golden-brown state, with farmers preparing soil for the rainy season planting. March temperatures make early morning rides genuinely pleasant - you'll pass through villages where locals are making fermented fish paste and weaving silk under their stilt houses. The 30-50 km (18-31 mile) loop routes are flat as a table, and traffic is minimal on the rural roads. You'll likely get invited for coffee at least once by curious villagers.

Booking Tip: Rent basic bikes in Ubon city for ฿150-250 per day, or better quality touring bikes for ฿400-600. Start by 6:30am to get 3-4 hours of riding in before the heat becomes oppressive. Guesthouses can sketch out routes, or follow the Mekong roughly northeast toward Khong Chiam. Bring cash for village food stops - most places don't take cards, and a full meal runs ฿40-80. Check current cycling tour options in the booking section below for guided experiences with local knowledge.

Thung Si Meuang Park evening food market exploration

The park transforms into Ubon's social center after 5pm when temperatures finally drop below 30°C (86°F). March is mango season in Isan, so you'll find vendors selling kao niao mamuang (sticky rice with mango) for ฿40-60, using fruit that's actually at peak ripeness rather than the shipped-in varieties. The lake circuit is 2.3 km (1.4 miles) and locals use it for evening exercise walks. Street food stalls set up along the eastern edge serving regional specialties like som tam pla ra (fermented fish papaya salad) and sai krok Isan (fermented sausage) for ฿30-60 per dish.

Booking Tip: This is a walk-up situation, no booking needed. Arrive between 5:30-6pm when stalls are setting up but it's not yet crowded. Bring small bills - many vendors can't break ฿1,000 notes. The market runs until about 10pm daily. If you want structured food tours that explain the regional dishes and include tastings, see current options in the booking section below, typically running ฿800-1,500 per person.

Wat Nong Pa Phong meditation retreats

This forest monastery 15 km (9.3 miles) east of the city offers 3-10 day meditation retreats in the Ajahn Chah tradition. March's heat actually works in your favor here - the discomfort becomes part of the practice, and the monastery's design maximizes airflow through the open-sided halls. You'll follow the monks' schedule of 4am wake-up, meditation sessions, and one meal per day before noon. The monastery accepts foreign practitioners and provides basic accommodation in simple kutis (meditation huts) at no charge, though donations support the community.

Booking Tip: Email or call at least 2 weeks ahead to confirm space and get the participation guidelines. This is genuine monastic practice, not a resort retreat - expect basic conditions, strict silence, and serious commitment. Bring modest white clothing covering shoulders and knees, and prepare for minimal comfort. Not suitable for casual visitors. For less intensive temple experiences and cultural tours, check the booking section below for half-day and full-day temple circuit options.

Ban Pa-Ao silk weaving village workshops

March falls during the slow agricultural season when weavers have more time for their craft. You'll see the entire process from silk thread dyeing using natural materials to the actual weaving on traditional looms under stilt houses. The village sits 25 km (15.5 miles) north of Ubon, and weavers are genuinely happy to demonstrate techniques - this isn't a staged tourist show. Finished pha khao ma (traditional Isan scarves) run ฿300-800 depending on complexity, and you're buying directly from the maker. Morning visits work best before the afternoon heat makes sitting under those houses uncomfortable.

Booking Tip: No advance booking needed for casual visits. Songthaews from Ubon's Warin Chamrap bus station run ฿40-60 per person and take about 45 minutes. Alternatively, hire a private songthaew for ฿600-800 roundtrip with waiting time. Bring cash for purchases. If you want hands-on weaving lessons or organized cultural tours that include multiple craft villages, see current options in the booking section below, typically ฿1,200-2,500 for half-day experiences.

March Events & Festivals

Throughout March

Candle Festival preparation workshops

While the actual Candle Festival happens in July during Buddhist Lent, temples across Ubon begin crafting their massive wax sculptures in March. Wat Thung Si Meuang and Wat Supattanaram open their workshop areas to visitors who want to watch artisans carve intricate designs into beeswax blocks that will eventually stand 3-4 m (10-13 ft) tall. You can sometimes participate in basic wax preparation work. This behind-the-scenes access gives you appreciation for the months of labor that go into the festival floats.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight long-sleeve cotton or linen shirts - the UV index of 8 means you'll burn in 15-20 minutes of midday exposure, and covering up works better than constantly reapplying sunscreen in 70% humidity
Quick-dry shorts or pants that you don't mind getting soaked - those afternoon downpours give zero warning, and cotton takes hours to dry in humid conditions
Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+ in small bottles - you'll reapply constantly, and the large bottles are heavy to carry during day trips to the Mekong
Compact umbrella rather than rain jacket - the rain is warm enough that you don't need waterproof coverage, just something to keep dry while walking between shops or temples
Closed-toe water shoes or sport sandals - essential for Sam Phan Bok's sharp sandstone and temple grounds that flood during afternoon rains
Small backpack that fits a water bottle, sunscreen, and a dry bag for phone and wallet - you'll be carrying supplies for full-day trips to national parks
Modest temple clothing including a light scarf or shawl - shoulders and knees must be covered at active monasteries like Wat Nong Pa Phong, and the scarf doubles as sun protection
Electrolyte packets or rehydration salts - the heat and humidity combination means you'll lose salt faster than water alone replaces, available at any 7-Eleven for ฿10-15 per packet
Power bank for your phone - you'll use GPS and translation apps constantly in rural areas where English is minimal, and the heat drains batteries faster
Basic first aid supplies including anti-diarrheal medication - rural food adventures sometimes catch up with foreign stomachs, and pharmacies in villages have limited stock

Insider Knowledge

The morning market at Warin Chamrap district (across the river from central Ubon) runs 5am-9am and offers better prices and selection than tourist-facing spots. Locals buy their produce here, and you'll find regional specialties like pla som (fermented fish) and miang (betel leaf wraps) that restaurants don't typically serve to foreigners. Take a tuk-tuk for ฿60-80 from the city center.
Book accommodations along Chayangkoon Road or near Thung Si Meuang Park rather than near the airport - you'll be within walking distance of evening food markets and the lake, and prices run ฿400-800 for decent guesthouses versus ฿1,200+ for the same quality near the airport zone.
The Two-Color River phenomenon at the Mekong-Mun River confluence is most dramatic in early morning light around 7-8am when the angle shows the distinct color difference between the muddy Mekong and clearer Mun River. By midday the contrast washes out. The viewpoint is free and sits 2 km (1.2 miles) east of Khong Chiam village.
March falls during the gap between Thai New Year (Songkran in April) and the Candle Festival (July), so locals are actually working normal schedules rather than holiday mode. This means better service at restaurants and shops, but also means some family-run places close for random days as owners take personal time. Always have a backup plan for meals.

Avoid These Mistakes

Trying to do outdoor activities between noon and 4pm - the combination of 35°C+ (95°F+) temperatures and 70% humidity isn't just uncomfortable, it's genuinely dangerous if you're not accustomed to tropical heat. Even locals retreat indoors during these hours. Structure your days with early morning activities, midday rest, and evening exploration.
Assuming that variable weather and occasional rain means you can skip sun protection - the UV index of 8 means you'll burn even on overcast days, and reflected light off the Mekong intensifies exposure during boat trips. Travelers consistently underestimate sun damage in humid conditions because they don't feel as hot.
Booking accommodation in Ubon city for visiting Sam Phan Bok or Pha Taem - the predawn departure times (4-5am) mean you'll lose sleep and rush the experience. Stay in Khong Chiam or Pho Sai villages the night before, where basic guesthouses run ฿300-600 and put you 30-45 minutes from the attractions rather than 90+ minutes from Ubon city.

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