Things to Do in Southeast Asia in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Southeast Asia
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing in most destinations - hotel rates typically 20-30% lower than December-February peak, and you'll have better negotiating power for multi-night stays before Songkran crowds arrive mid-month
- Prime diving and snorkeling conditions in the Andaman Sea - visibility reaches 25-30 m (82-98 ft) before monsoon season, water temperature sits at a comfortable 29°C (84°F), and marine life is incredibly active before the summer heat peaks
- Fewer tourists at major temples and cultural sites during the first two weeks - you can actually photograph Angkor Wat or Bagan's temples without crowds blocking your shots, though this changes dramatically during Songkran week
- Mango season across the region - you'll find nam dok mai, ok rong, and mahachanok varieties at peak sweetness, plus seasonal dishes like khao niao mamuang (mango sticky rice) made with just-harvested fruit that tastes completely different from off-season versions
Considerations
- Heat and humidity reach uncomfortable levels by mid-afternoon - that 33°C (91°F) feels like 38°C (100°F) with 70% humidity, making outdoor activities between 11am-3pm genuinely exhausting rather than just warm
- Songkran water festival (April 13-15) causes massive price spikes and booking challenges - accommodation rates triple in Chiang Mai and Bangkok, transport gets chaotic, and if you're not specifically coming for the festival, this week is frustrating rather than fun
- Transitional weather means unpredictable afternoon storms - you'll likely get caught in sudden downpours that last 30-45 minutes, and while they cool things down temporarily, they can disrupt outdoor plans and make dirt roads in rural areas muddy and difficult
Best Activities in April
Similan Islands and Andaman Sea Diving Expeditions
April is actually the final month before the Similans close for monsoon season (mid-May through October), which means you're getting peak visibility conditions with far fewer divers than the January-March rush. Water temperature hovers around 29°C (84°F), visibility reaches 25-30 m (82-98 ft), and you'll encounter whale sharks, manta rays, and massive schools of barracuda without the crowds. The heat on land makes those cool underwater hours especially appealing. Liveaboard trips run until mid-April, day trips continue through month-end.
Northern Thailand Mountain Trekking
The trails around Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Pai are dry and accessible in April, before monsoon rains turn paths muddy in May. Temperatures at elevation (1,200-1,800 m or 3,937-5,905 ft) stay cooler than the lowlands - you're looking at 22-26°C (72-79°F) during hiking hours versus the brutal 33°C (91°F) in the valleys. Hill tribe villages are between harvest and planting season, so locals have more time for cultural exchanges. Morning starts (6-7am) avoid the midday heat entirely. Multi-day treks to Karen, Lahu, or Akha villages offer genuine cooling relief from coastal humidity.
Mekong River Slow Boat Journeys
April marks low water season on the Mekong, which sounds negative but actually creates unique sandbar islands and exposes riverside caves you can't access during high water months. The slow boat from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang or river tours around the Golden Triangle reveal rock formations and beaches that disappear come monsoon season. Temperatures on the water stay 3-4°C (5-7°F) cooler than inland, and the breeze makes the humidity tolerable. Sunrises over the river at 6am, before the heat builds, are spectacular. Local fishermen work the exposed sandbars using traditional methods you won't see other times of year.
Bangkok Temple and Market Cycling Routes
Early morning cycling tours (starting 6-7am) let you experience Bangkok's temples, canals, and markets before the heat becomes oppressive. By 9am you're done and can retreat to air-conditioned museums or malls for the hot midday hours. April means fewer tourists at Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and the flower market compared to high season, so you're cycling through less congested streets. The pre-Songkran temple visits by locals (making merit before the new year) add cultural texture. Canal routes through Thonburi stay shaded and catch morning breezes. Bike infrastructure has improved significantly with new dedicated lanes along the river.
Cave Temple Exploration in Central Regions
Cave temples around Phetchaburi, Kanchanaburi, and Hpa-An stay naturally cool (20-24°C or 68-75°F) regardless of outside temperatures, making them perfect April refuges from midday heat. The dry season means caves are accessible without wet season flooding, and lower water levels in some locations reveal Buddha images and rock formations that get partially submerged later. Tham Khao Luang near Phetchaburi gets that famous light shaft illuminating the Buddha around 10-11am in April. Hpa-An's Saddar Cave and Kawgun Cave see far fewer tourists than Thailand's more famous sites. The combination of cultural significance and climate relief makes these ideal April destinations.
Night Market and Street Food Circuits
April's heat makes evening activities far more appealing than daytime sightseeing, and night markets hit their stride after 6pm when temperatures drop to 28-29°C (82-84°F) with occasional cooling breezes. Mango season means you'll find exceptional seasonal treats - mango with sticky rice, mango smoothies, green mango salad - at peak quality. Markets in Chiang Mai (Saturday and Sunday walking streets), Bangkok (Rot Fai, Talad Neon), and Penang (Gurney Drive) are less crowded pre-Songkran than during peak season. Food tours starting at 6:30-7pm let you sample 8-10 dishes while learning about ingredients and cooking methods from guides who actually know the vendors.
April Events & Festivals
Songkran Water Festival
The Thai New Year celebration turns the entire country into a massive water fight from April 13-15, with extended celebrations through April 16 in Chiang Mai and some other cities. This is not a gentle cultural festival - it's full-contact water warfare with super soakers, buckets, and hoses drenching everyone on the streets. Chiang Mai's moat area becomes the epicenter, Bangkok's Silom and Khao San roads turn into rivers, and even small towns participate enthusiastically. If you're coming specifically for Songkran, it's genuinely fun and culturally significant (the water symbolizes cleansing for the new year). If you're not, avoid Thailand entirely this week - transportation gets chaotic, many businesses close, and you cannot walk outside without getting soaked. Temple ceremonies happen early morning before the water fights begin.
Thingyan Water Festival Myanmar
Myanmar's version of the new year celebration runs concurrently with Songkran, typically April 13-16, with similar water throwing traditions but distinctly Burmese cultural elements. Yangon's parks host elaborate stages (pandals) where people dance and celebrate, while Mandalay's celebrations incorporate traditional music and theater. The festival marks the end of the hot dry season, so the water throwing serves both ritual and practical cooling purposes. Expect businesses to close, transport to be limited, and accommodation prices to spike. Unlike Thailand's tourism-heavy Songkran, Thingyan remains more locally focused, which can make it feel more authentic but also more challenging to navigate as a tourist.
Khmer New Year Cambodia
Chaul Chnam Thmey falls in mid-April (usually April 14-16) and brings Cambodia to a near-standstill as people return to home villages for family gatherings and temple ceremonies. Angkor Wat and other temples see increased local visitors making merit, offering food to monks, and participating in traditional games like bas angkunh (throwing a ball wrapped in cloth). Unlike the water chaos of Songkran, Khmer New Year focuses more on family, food, and Buddhist rituals, though you will encounter some water throwing, particularly on the final day. Siem Reap's tourism infrastructure continues operating, but expect reduced services and higher prices. This is an interesting time to witness authentic Cambodian traditions, but a challenging time if you're trying to cover significant ground or visit multiple destinations.