Where’s hot in April?

We love April – we reckon it’s a bit of a Goldilocks month. Just enough out of winter that you can be pretty certain of some nice, solid temperatures (definitely in the places we’ve recommended), whilst still hanging back from summer enough to avoid those sweltering afternoons and the worst of the crowds in most spots. Here’s where’s hot in April.

On Mexico’s south east coat, Cancun is part of the Yucatán Peninsula – the bit that separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea. You’ll find 3 Mexican states here, including Quintana Roo, home to Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Cancun.

The most well-known part of this 15-mile long sandbar is Boulevard Kukulkan, also known as the Hotel Zone. This is where all those gorgeous, All Inclusive resorts can be found (great for both families and honeymooning couples), but head closer to the centre of the city and you’ll get much more of a feel for local life. Then there’s the 14 Blue Flag beaches (the global standard to mean really, really good), the world’s second largest coral reef just off the coast, and those incredible fresh water cenotes dotting the landscape nearby.  The sites of El Rey and San Miguelito (which sits smack bang in the Hotel Zone, believe it or not) are here, and Mayan ruins mecca Tulum is just down the road, the most impressive of which is El Castillo (the castle), perched on a rocky cliff above a white sand beach and perfect turquoise sea – serious postcard stuff.

April is the beginning of shoulder season here, so it’s less crowded and prices start to fall – plus there’s also a low chance for rain (and humidity), which any Brit will make a beeline for.

April is when Orlando starts to come out of the cooler (but not that cool, not really) winter temperatures and settles into some pleasant, balmy highs of up to 28°C! You’ll skip the unbearable heat of the summer, but you might have to contend with slightly larger crowds as April brings Easter and the tail end of Spring Break. You’ll have to keep an eye out for those sneaky showers too, April is one of the driest months here but showers still happen. They never hang around for long and are unlikely to significantly disrupt your plans.

Head out there in early April and you can check out Universal Mardi Gras with its International Flavors of Carnival, Big Easy Bash, and Mardi Gras Parade. And if you know your Disney, you’ll know that April means Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. Meanwhile, Dad will love Celebration Exotic Car Festival.

April is warm and dry in Las Vegas, with temperatures more manageable than during the sweltering summer months. It’s nice and a cool in the morning, but gets pretty toasty during the afternoon.

If you happen to be in Vegas in April, then make use of the cooler temps for those day trips out to spots like the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, and Zion National Park. Whilst the North Rim of the Grand Canyon still has a hint of winter to it, the South Rim and inside the Canyon itself during this month is perfect for sightseeing or hiking (there’s less people too).

April is your last best bet for smaller crowds at Hoover Dam, as it just gets busier here on out. The upside is that the cooler temps make for a much more comfortable experience. April in Zion National Park, meanwhile, is when the flowers start to bloom and the trees start to leaf out. But because the elevation varies so much here, there’s still chance for snow and ice on the higher trails. Prepare for crowds, though – kids go on break in April in Utah, and this is the USA’s 3rd most visited national park!

April’s your last chance to get in on Sri Lanka’s beaches, Sigiriya Rock, and lush green hills of Tea Country before the rains sweep in. A lucky shoulder season that sits between the two main monsoon windows here and with a maximum daily temperature comfortably in the 30s, it’s all blue skies and sunshine whether you head for the beaches on the south or west coast of the island. You’ll enjoy some of the island’s best weather in April, and fewer crowds too. Sri Lanka has a small but mighty Christian population, so don’t be surprised if you spot some Easter bunnies when in town at this time of the year.

Besides beaches, also good in April is heading out to one of the national parks, like Bundala National Park, known for its watery wonderland of lagoons, flamingos (thousands of ’em), and the hatching of turtles on the beaches here from April to June. If you decide to climb Sigiriya, then make sure to head out early as the heat is still pretty fierce by midday – plus you’ll get to catch sunrise over the jungle.

It’s already piping hot in Dubai by the time April comes around, but this is probably the last month you’ll want to be in town if you wanna avoid the truly scolding months of summer. That being said, it’s still just about cool enough (at the right times of the day) to squeeze in those outdoor activities like dune bashing (remember, the desert gets surprisingly cold come evening!) or sandboarding, as well as lounging at one of the many, many beach clubs. Dubai Miracle Gardens (one of Dubai’s more hidden gems) closes in June for the summer season, so now’s a good time to get a peek at those floral fantasies it’s known for.

But if you find the heat gets too much, don’t worry because if any city is built for heat, it’s this one. Nearly every building you enter will have some seriously strong air-con, and precisely because Dubai gets so hot means they have indoor activities to rival those outside, from the Burj Khalifa to Dubai Mall – even Deep Dive Dubai if you’ve brought your kit (and a valid diving license, of course).

A trip to Dubai in April means you also get to see the city in a special light, as this is when Ramadan is observed across the country.

If you’re about beaches more than strenuous hiking, then Koh Samui, one of Thailand’s best islands, is a good shout for April. We say beaches over hiking because April in Koh Samui is hot, hot, hot. April 16th is actually said to be the hottest day of the year in Thailand – so funnily enough, that’s exactly when the famous Songkran festival is held, famous because it’s basically just one massive water fight. The Thai New Year festival, Songkran is an absolute must do if you’re lucky enough to be in town at just the right time.

The temperature of the water at this time is perfect, and you’ll be wanting to spend plenty of time in it. Stick to Chaweng Beach if you like to be in the thick of it, or head out to super small and secluded cove Silver Beach (stretching for just 250 metres!) with its lush green surroundings. Tongson Beach, to the north of the island, is quiet with powdery sand and shallow waters (plus views of Koh Phangan!), making it great for families.