March Break is one of the busiest weeks of the year in Cancún: in 2027 it runs March 15 to 19 in Toronto's public schools, Quebec's semaine de relâche falls around the first week of March for many school centres, and BC districts set their own dates. Sunset is around 6:51 to 7:00 pm in March, so family sessions start around 5:50 pm. Sessions start at 245 USD; book a few weeks ahead.
For Canadian families, March Break is the week Cancún was made for: the end of a long winter, the children out of school and the Caribbean at its most reliable. It is also the week the resorts, the restaurants and our calendar fill fastest. Here is how to plan family photos around it.
March Break Dates for 2027
- Ontario: March 15 to 19, 2027 at the Toronto District School Board; most Ontario boards use the same week.
- Quebec: the semaine de relâche depends on each school centre and falls around the first week of March for many of them.
- British Columbia: each district sets its own spring break, often two weeks in mid to late March.
- Alberta and the Atlantic provinces: dates vary by board; check your school calendar.
If your family has any flexibility, the weeks just before and after your province's break are quieter at the resorts and on the beach.
The Time Change
Canada moves its clocks forward on March 14, 2027. Cancún does not change: Quintana Roo is UTC-5 all year. So during Ontario's March Break, Toronto is one hour ahead of Cancún, and children will feel that the sunset session is an hour later than it looks. A Quebec relâche in early March, before the change, keeps Montreal on the same clock as Cancún.
Sunset and Session Times in March
Times for the Cancún Hotel Zone in 2027. Quintana Roo does not use daylight saving.
| Month | Sunrise | Golden | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:27 am | 5:54 pm | 6:26 pm |
| March | 6:56 am | 6:27 pm | 6:56 pm |
| May | 6:09 am | 6:47 pm | 7:18 pm |
| June | 6:05 am | 6:58 pm | 7:30 pm |
| July | 6:14 am | 7:00 pm | 7:32 pm |
| September | 6:34 am | 6:21 pm | 6:50 pm |
| November | 6:57 am | 5:34 pm | 6:06 pm |
| December | 7:16 am | 5:35 pm | 6:08 pm |
In March the sun sets between about 6:51 pm at the start of the month and 7:00 pm at the end. We start family sessions about an hour before sunset, around 5:50 pm, with the group portrait first while everyone is fresh. Families with toddlers often prefer sunrise, around 6:55 am, when children are awake anyway; our guide to sunrise family photos explains why.
Crowds and the Best Spots
During March Break the resort pools and the beach in front of them are at their busiest in the afternoon. We walk a few minutes to a quieter stretch of sand, use the resort's gardens or a private terrace, or choose a public beach away from the crowd. Our list of private beach locations for family photos has options by area.
Weather and Sargassum
March is dry and warm, with comfortable evenings and some windy days. Sargassum usually starts to build in spring, and how much arrives changes from year to year and beach to beach. We check the coast the week of your session and have a backup location ready. Our sargassum guide explains what to expect.
Collections and Prices
| Collection | Time | Photos | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spark | 35 min | 15 | 245 USD |
| Glow Hour | 45 min | 25 | 325 USD |
| Essential Flow | 60 min | 35 | 395 USD |
| Creative Runway | 75 min | 50 | 475 USD |
| Visual Story | 90 min | 70 | 575 USD |
| Full Experience | 90 min | Full gallery | 725 USD |
Prices include editing and delivery in a private 4K gallery, usually within one to three business days.
For a family of four, Essential Flow at 60 minutes is the usual choice; for grandparents, cousins and everyone, Visual Story at 90 minutes. Our guide to large family groups helps you plan the combinations.