Traveling to Cancun in April: Weather Things to Do and Events!
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It is hard to beat the weather in Cancun in April. The daytime temperatures are heating up, but still not the unbearably hot days of the summer, and it rarely rains.
This warm weather makes it a great time to enjoy the beach and get into the turquoise water.
April is one of the driest months in Cancun, so you do not have to worry about the rain messing up your plans! Rainy days are yet to come and you will enjoy many hours of sunshine.
Having said that it´s always a good choice to look at the weather forecast close to the date, keeping in mind that weather in the tropics can change unexpectedly for the good or for the bad, so take the forecasts with a grain of salt.
April is also considered shoulder season, which means that you will not find the crowds that come in high season- or the high prices that come with them, which makes it one of the best months to travel to Cancun in my personal opinion as I am not particularly fond of crowds.
Thinking about planning a trip to Cancun in April? Keep reading to find out what to expect in Cancun in April more in detail.
How is the Weather in Cancun in April?
Anytime you plan a beach vacation, the first question you want to answer is: how will the weather be? Nothing ruins a beach vacation faster than lasting rainstorms or cold weather.
Thankfully, you should not expect to experience either of those in April in Cancun.
Cancun weather in April is GREAT – it rarely rains, the weather is hot and sunny, and “norte” season is over, so you do not have to worry about windy cold fronts blowing in chilly weather from the north.
Cancun Temperature in April
When April arrives the winter in Cancun is over. From January to March, the nights and early mornings can be the chilliest that this tropical location gets.
In April the temperature is starting to creep up, and the “cold” nights are gone.
This does not mean the temperature is uncomfortably hot, as the month progresses the average daily high temperature goes from 84 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is uncommon for the daily high temperature to pass 89 degrees. The temperature cools off in the evening to the 70s, with daily low temperatures averaging between 72 and 74 degrees, with the average nighttime temperature being around 78 degrees.
So what exactly does this mean for your vacation? It means that the days are great for the beach and aquatic activities, but the temperature is not so hot that you will be uncomfortable taking excursions into the jungle to visit ruins or take a dip in some cenotes.
The evenings will feel fresh and comfortable for outdoor dining and activities, and you will not feel like you want to go hide in the air conditioning.
How is the sea in Cancun in April
Now that you know the air temperature is ideal in April, you probably want to know what the sea conditions will be like.
People travel to Cancun to tip their toes (and entire bodies) into the clear, turquoise waters.
The ocean water temperature is around 80 degrees in April, with the temperature slowly starting to warm up as the month goes on.
The temperature is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. The water in Cancun rarely drops below 77 degrees at the shore, so you can swim year-round.
If you are planning on scuba diving, especially if you plan to go dive several days in a row, the 80-degree water may start to feel chilly.
Water carries heat away from your body much faster than air, so even warm water will start to cool you off.
If you plan to scuba dive you may want to pack a lightweight wetsuit. Most people are perfectly comfortable in a 3mm wetsuit in Cancun.
If you do not own one, you can rent one with your dive shop.
Cancun is famous for its clear water. The beautiful turquoise color comes from the light reflecting off the sand.
The water has great visibility year-round, but April has especially beautiful water conditions. It is uncommon for there to be strong wind storms or rain in April, and both of these things can affect water visibility.
The water is at its clearest in April.
Just strap on a mask and stick your face into the water and you will be amazed by how far you can see! There is always a breeze coming off the ocean in Cancun, but April does not usually have strong winds.
This means that the surface of the ocean is flat.
This is great if you plan to do tours such as catamaran cruises, snorkeling, or island hopping to Isla Mujeres or Isla Contoy.
Flat surface conditions mean that the boat rides are smoother- which is great for people who are prone to get seasick.
Also, flat seas make for the best snorkeling conditions because you do not have to worry about waves crashing over you and getting water in your snorkel.
You can snorkel and scuba dive year-round in Cancun, but April has especially great water conditions. Combine the great water conditions with the smaller crowds in April, and you will really be able to have a peaceful visit to the coral reefs.
Does it Rain in Cancun in April?
Cancun has a tropical climate. Cancun sits on the edge of the Caribbean Sea next to the jungle, so it is always humid.
There is always a chance of passing rain showers, but April is one of the driest months of the year. The average rainfall for the month of April in Cancun is around 1.6 inches, so you do not need to worry about rain messing up your plans.
Weather in the Caribbean changes quickly, and the weather report often shows that there is a chance of rain every day.
It is normal that people to see the chance of rain and panic that it will mess up their vacation. Do not worry! You do not need to change your travel plans, passing rain showers are a part of life in Cancun.
Even though the weather forecasts show a chance of rain, it is very uncommon for it to rain for more than a few minutes in April.
Small rain showers will not affect your tours or plans. If you do not want to get wet, it is always a good idea to carry a lightweight raincoat with you.
How is the humidity in Cancun in April?
April is a month of transition from the relatively cooler and drier days of the winter to the hot and muggy summer days.
As the month goes on the humidity will start to increase, and the days can begin to feel a bit muggy.
The humidity will continue to gradually increase in the spring and it should not be so humid in April that it affects your comfort.
The average humidity level is around 84%. Thankfully the air temperatures are not too hot in April, so the humidity does not drive the heat index up too much.
Will Cancun be Sunny in April?
Yes! Be prepared with biodegradable sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses, because it will be sunny in Cancun in April.
The sky is clear or only partly cloudy for 71% of the time in April, which means that you will get to enjoy the hot, Caribbean sunshine.
The UV index in April is high, reaching up to 10. This means that even if there are a few clouds in the sky, you need to be very careful to protect your skin.
As the month goes on, the chance of it being cloudy increases from 29% at the beginning of the month, to 35% at the end of the month, so no matter what week you travel to Cancun, you will catch sunny skies.
You will have over 12 hours of sunlight in April, which gives you plenty of time to enjoy outdoor activities before the sun sets.
Is Cancun Windy in April?
Cancun is situated on the coast of the Caribbean Sea, and there is usually a breeze blowing. This welcomed breeze keeps the temperature comfortable.
In April the average wind speed drops slightly from 9.1 miles per hour at the beginning of the month to 8.5 miles per hour at the end of the month.
The wind conditions in April are great for kiteboarding and windsurfing. People travel to Cancun and the Riviera Maya to enjoy these sports with warm water and consistent breeze.
If you want to try these sports there are plenty of schools that offer classes, especially in Isla Blanca!
Is There Seaweed in April?
There might be some seaweed on the beach in April. The most seaweed washes ashore in Cancun between May and October, and the amount of seaweed and the timing of its arrival depends on many factors including wind and tide.
The seaweed that washes ashore in Cancun and the Riviera Maya is called sargassum.
It is a brown alga that generally floats on top of the water. In recent years it has washed onto the shores of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Scientists believe the increased amount of seaweed is due to changes in water temperature and ocean currents due to climate change.
The seaweed will not hurt you, but it can be smelly when it dries in the sun. Small creatures live in the sargassum, and the sargassum can irritate some people’s skin.
Sargassum will not hurt you beyond itchy skin, but it is really disappointing to walk onto the beach and see the beautiful white sand and turquoise water covered in mats of seaweed.
No one wants to spend their day at the beach surrounded by sargassum. Hotels and beach clubs put a lot of effort into raking up dried sargassum and cleaning the beach.
Sargassum conditions can change quickly if the wind shifts direction.
If you are traveling to Cancun and there is sargassum on the beach, there are a few ways you can try to not let it ruin your day at the beach.
Because the amount of sargassum depends on factors such as the wind and tide, if one beach is covered in seaweed, you can usually find a protected area that does not have seaweed.
You can follow Red de Monitoreo del Sargasso de Quintana Roo on social media. This non-profit organization posts maps of the different beaches in Quintana Roo with a color chart showing how much sargassum is on the beach.
You can use this tool to head to beaches that are protected from sargassum.
Check out the maps and consider planning a day trip to Cozumel Island or Isla Mujeres, where the beaches face different directions and can be protected from sargassum.
Another great option to get away from the sargassum is to check out a cenote.
There are many cenotes near Cancun that are freshwater pools that connect the surface to underwater river systems.
They are located all throughout the jungle and are always sargassum free.
April is outside of the peak sargassum season, but it is possible you will find a bit of seaweed washed ashore on your trip.
Try not to let this upset you, and remember that there are always seaweed-free beaches to explore.
Best Time to Visit Cancun
April is a great time of the year to visit Cancun. The huge crowds of spring breakers and people escaping cold climates are leaving, and the weather is ideal.
Whenever you travel to the Caribbean you run the risk of being caught in a passing rain shower, but April is one of the driest months in Cancun.
The few rain showers will pass Cancun quickly and do not dump huge amounts of water. You can expect sunny days with the humidity and temperature starting to rise as Cancun heads into the summer months.
April is not as hot and humid as it will get in July and August, and you can still enjoy outdoor activities, including excursions to ruins in the jungle without overheating.
April is shoulder season. It is the end of the high season, and you will find that it is nowhere near as crowded as it is from January through March.
The week before Easter is called Semana Santa, and it will be crowded. This is the last wave of families traveling for spring breaks.
Many Mexicans have the week before Easter off from work and travel to Cancun to vacation with their families.
Hotels will be very full during this week, and tourism will sharply decline after Easter. If you plan to travel during Semana Santa, you should make your hotel reservations early and expect to pay premium prices.
If you wait until after Easter to travel you will be able to shop around for a much better deal on your hotel and will avoid the crowds.
April is a great time to enjoy all the different activities Cancun has to offer. The air is hot and the ocean is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving.
The sunny days, low wind, and lack of rain are the perfect combination for crystal-clear water. The air is warming up, but it is not too hot to go visit some Mayan ruins.
Shoulder season and low season are great times to visit the archeological sites because there are fewer crowds than in high season.
One of the greatest parts about visiting Cancun in April is that the weather is consistently great. The “norte” season is over, but it is not the rainy season yet.
You do not have to worry about rain or wind messing up your tours, and it is rare that the harbor master closes the port.
After Easter (holy week), you can find great prices for hotels and smaller crowds in the airport and on excursions.
Packing List for Cancun in April
Packing for a vacation can feel like an impossible task if you are not sure what to take with you. You do not want to be dragging an overfilled suitcase of clothes you will not use, but do not want to get stuck without the right gear.
Thankfully, packing for a Cancun vacation can be easy.
You want plenty of comfortable clothes for the beach and hot weather, sun protection, and a few key essentials.
Here is a list to help you stay organized while packing:
✅ Swimsuits and beach clothes
With the hot weather in April, you will want to spend time at the pool, beach, and in a cenote. Pack comfortable swimwear and clothes to go over the top of your swimsuit- you will use these every day!
Flip flops. Make sure to pack a pair of sandals that can get wet for wearing to the beach and pool.
Here are some cute recommendations!😎 Click on the image to open the product page⤵️
✅ Sneakers or hiking sandals
If you plan on doing any jungle treks or visiting ruins, you will want a pair of comfortable tennis shoes or hiking sandals to protect your feet.
Flip-flops can be very slippery on rocks in the jungle, so they are not ideal for hiking. I always prefer hiking boots anyway to keep the ants away. Ants’ bites are not pleasant!
✅ Sunglasses and a hat
The sun is strong in Cancun so you will want a face and eye protection.
✅ Biodegradable Sunscreen
Also known as reef-safe sunscreen or mineral sunscreen, these sunscreens do not use chemicals that can harm coral reefs.
If you are planning snorkel excursions, visits to the cenotes, or a trip to Isla Contoy, this is the only kind of sunscreen you will be allowed to use.
Look for sunscreens that use titanium dioxide or zinc oxide instead of oxybenzone and octinoxate.
✅ Bug repellent
Humid weather means that mosquitos are around. Make sure to take eco-friendly mosquito repellent with you on trips into the jungle.
They are the worst right before dusk, so if you are someone mosquitos love to bite, do yourself a favor and use the spray before going outside.
Keep mosquitos away!
OFF! Botanicals Deet-Free Insect Repellent, Plant-Based Bug Spray & Mosquito Repellent, 4 oz
6885 4.5-⭐️ Reviews
✅ Water bottle
You have probably heard not to drink tap water in Mexico. That is true, but you should still bring a water bottle with you.
Some of the larger hotels have water filtration systems and smaller hotels often have large 20-liter jugs of water that you can use to fill up your water bottle.
Carrying your reusable water bottle helps reduce the number of single-use water bottles that end up in landfills in Mexico.
✅ Dry bag and waterproof phone case
You want your phone handy all the time to snap pictures of your vacation. Nothing will ruin your vacation mood faster than your phone getting wet and breaking.
A small waterproof phone case makes it easy to keep your phone safe. A larger dry bag is ideal for boat excursions to keep towels and clothes dry.
✅ Raincoat
April is one of the driest months in Cancun, but there is always the chance of a quick rain shower. It is a good idea to throw a lightweight raincoat into your bag and take it with you on tours.
✅ Beach bag and towel
Check if your hotel provides beach towels, if not, you’ll want to bring one with you.
✅ Rashguard
If you plan on snorkeling, scuba diving, or spending a lot of time in the water, a rashguard is the best option to keep your skin safe from sunburns.
You do not have to worry about getting out of the water to dry off and reapply sunscreen.
✅ Travel Insurance
Travel Tip: Avoid the stress of needing to cancel or change vacation plans with travel insurance. It is always a great idea to buy it before a trip!
If you plan on scuba diving you should get dive insurance too! It will cover your medical expenses in case you have an unexpected accident while diving.
If you ask me I have two recommended travel insurance companies, one is SafetyWing, which I find relatively affordable and quite comprehensive.
The other is not a company but a site aggregator, Travel Insurance master which will help you find the perfect insurance for you. You fill out the form with the information about your profile and requirements and they select the insurance company that is a good fit.
Is Dive Insurance necessary?
The short answer is: yes! Although we all hope that nothing bad will ever happen to you, you never know.
I always prefer to be safe than sorry and a small investment today can save you tons of dollars tomorrow.
Hyperbaric chambers and hospitalization, in general, are outrageously expensive in Mexico!
Dive Assure is one of the top insurance companies for diving and we cannot recommend them enough. I am sure you have heard of them as they are one of the most popular.
🔽 Get a free Dive Assure quote here 🔽
What to Wear in Cancun in April
The weather in Cancun is hot and sunny, so you will want comfortable, lightweight clothing. Pack the clothes for the activities you plan to do- whether it is a casual beach day or visiting elegant restaurants.
Here is a list to help you pack the right clothes:
- Swimsuits and cover-ups
- Flip flops. Great for the pool, beach, and water activities.
- Sneakers or hiking sandals. These are the best options for hiking excursions in the jungle or visiting ruins. You do not want to use flip flops which can get slippery for these types of tours.
- Lightweight, casual clothing. You will want tank tops, t-shirts, and shorts for hanging out at your hotel or visiting different towns in the Riviera Maya region.
- Sundresses. If you are planning on doing a sunset catamaran tour or elegant dinners you will want some lightweight dresses or beach casual shirts to wear.
Here below some cute outfit recommendations ⤵️
Hats
Swimsuits
Beach Cover-up
Cute dresses
Sandals and flip flops
Top recommended tours in Cancun in April
The shoulder season is a great time to get out of your hotel and go on tours because there are fewer crowds.
Whether you love the water, jungle, or going on a culinary adventure, there are great tour options for you to choose from.
👉 2 Tanks Scuba Diving for Beginners in Cancun ~ Personalized Service
5⭐ 53 Reviews
Check scuba diving off your bucket list! You will meet your instructor at the dive shop where you will receive an introductory course to scuba diving.
You do not need previous dive experience but must know how to swim to participate.
You will spend the morning practicing your skills in the pool before heading out on the dive boat. You will visit MUSA, the underwater museum, and Manchones, a famous coral reef.
You will get a chance to get an up-close view of marine life.
👉 Mud Madness and Mixology at Selvatica
4.5⭐ 52 Reviews
Visit one of Cancun’s top adventure parks. You will start your day racing an ATV through a muddy jungle track. After that, you can rinse off in one of two cenotes and enjoy a picnic lunch.
You will finish your tour by learning to make Mexican cocktails using tequila. You will enjoy your drink while learning to make traditional snacks.
This tour last around 4 hours.
👉 Jet skiing, Snorkeling, and Parasailing
4.5⭐ 71 Reviews
Spend the day on the water. This tour combines three fun activities: snorkeling, jet skiing, and parasailing. You will start the day with a snorkel tour where you will stop at multiple spots.
You will see marine life, coral reefs, a shipwreck, and underwater statues.
Next, you will get the chance to go parasailing. You will gaze down at the turquoise waters and at the Cancun skyline from 260 feet up.
You will end your adventure with a 30-minute ride on a shared jetski. This tour lasts around 4 and a half hours.
👉 Chichen Itza, Cenote and Valladolid All-Inclusive Tour
5⭐ 9453 Reviews
This all-day tour will help you enjoy the rich history of the Yucatan Peninsula. You will travel on a comfortable, air-conditioned bus to Chichen Itza.
This archeological site is one of the new seven wonders of the world. You will admire the famous Kukulcan pyramid and learn about the history of the site.
Next, you will visit the colonial town of Valladolid, where you will have time to stroll the main plaza and enjoy a buffet lunch.
You will finish your tour with a refreshing swim in the Saamal cenote. The tour lasts around 12 hours.
What To Do If It Rains
April is in the dry season. Hurricane season is still a few months away, and it is rare to get much rain this month. However, the weather can be unpredictable.
Thankfully there are plenty of fun things to do in Cancun if the weather is not letting you spend your time lounging at the beach.
Shopaholics will find plenty of places to shop in Cancun. You can check out La Isla shopping center or Forum by the Sea.
La Isla Shopping center also has a movie theatre and restaurants.
Most adult movies are shown in their original language with subtitles in Spanish. The movie time listings will tell you what language the movie will be shown in.
There are a few museums in Cancun you can visit. Learn about Cancun’s history at the Museo de Maya de Cancun.
You can also visit the Cancun Wax Museum or the Cancun Vintage Car Museum.
Here are a few tours that you can enjoy regardless of the weather:
👉 5-Stop Cancun Taco Tour, Local Beer, and Night Market with Transportation
5⭐ 257 Reviews
Head to downtown Cancun and eat like a local. This tour will make your stomach happy with stops at four different taco stands.
You will try the traditional pastor and surtido tacos while enjoying a cold beer. You will finish your experience with a visit to a local park where you will get the chance to listen to Mariachis while eating fresh churros.
This tour lasts 4 and a half hours.
👉 Coco Bongo Cancun Gold Member VIP Night Out by After Dark
4⭐ 97 Reviews
Enjoy Cancun’s most famous night entertainment! This VIP access will let you skip the lines and enjoy an open bar before the show starts.
Your front-row seats will give you a great view of the show. Enjoy snacks and premium beverages throughout the evening.
Get your Cancun GoCity Pass if you are planning more than one activity and want to save some bucks ⤵️
Not sure whether it’s convenient for you? Check out my full review on how it works and when it’s convenient.
Best Hotels in Cancun
There are over 90 hotels in the Cancun hotel zone. It can be hard to decide where to stay with so many great options.
Remember, April is shoulder season, so you can shop around for a great deal. However, the weeks around Easter and peak travel season.
Many industries in Mexico close for Holy Week (the week before Easter) and many Mexicans take advantage of their vacation time and head to Cancun.
You will pay a premium price for hotels during this week and will need to book your hotel early. If you come at the end of April you will be able to find better deals on hotels. Here are a few hotels that check out:
1. Best Hotel for Solo Travelers: Selina Cancun Laguna
This hotel is great for solo travelers or people looking for a great deal. Located in the hotel zone, it has a coworking space, pool, yoga area, and on-site restaurant that serve Yucateca food.
There is also a shared kitchen and movie room you can take advantage of.
Choose between a private room or a shared room depending on your budget.
2. Best Family Friendly Hotel – Moon Palace The Grand – Riviera Cancun
This huge resort is great for families. It has a water park and kids’ and teen’s activity centers. You can get a family suite that has a king-sized bed and two double beds.
The kid’s club has a splash pad, black-light mini golf, and bumper cars. Adults will enjoy the spa and nightclub.
Guests can go to the sister property Beach Palace to enjoy a swimmable beach.
3. Best Luxury Hotel – Nizuc Resort and Spa
This resort has five pools and gourmet food offerings. All of the rooms have their own private balcony. There is an adult-only section of the hotel with restaurants, bars, and a pool not to mention the special suites with private pools.
At Nizuc you can also find some of the best restaurants in Cancun offering a variety of food including Mexican, Mediterranean, and Asian.
The resort is located on a peaceful stretch of white sandy beach with calm water to swim in.
Cancun Events and Festivals In April
🏖️ Anniversary of the Founding of Cancun
All month you will find events celebrating the founding of Cancun. The Mexican government chose Cancun in the 1970s to develop a major tourist destination because of the amazing natural beauty of the area.
Every year there are celebrations commemorating the founding of Cancun. You will find music, parties, parades, and exhibitions all over Cancun.
👩👦👦 Children’s Day
This is not recognized as an official holiday; however, El Día del Niño is celebrated throughout Mexico on April 30th.
People celebrate this day with parties and festivals. There will be special events at zoos and parks. The local government will organize toy drives to give toys to local children.
Look for a way to donate if you can!
🙏 Holy Week
Holy week is the week before Easter which includes Good Friday. Outside of tourism zones, many Mexican businesses close this week.
You will find lots of Mexicans traveling this time of year and locals enjoying the beach. If you are in downtown Cancun you may run into religious processions commemorating the death of Jesus.
🎤🎶 HootieFest 2023
If you are feeling nostalgic for some great 90s music, you do not want to miss these vacation concert events.
Musical artists include Hootie and the Blowfish, Barenaked Ladies, Gin Blossoms, and more! The concerts will take place on April 26-29, 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the most popular time to visit Cancun?
The high season runs from December to April. The busiest weeks are between Christmas and New Year’s and Holy Week.
The dry, winter months are popular with families as well as the spring break crowd.
When is the best time to visit Cancun for good weather?
The dry season has great weather. You can expect clear, sunny days, relatively low humidity, and not very much rain.
The shoulder season month of April has great weather. You will get hot, sunny days with plenty of hours of sunlight to enjoy your time.
When is the worst time to visit Cancun?
Many people avoid traveling to Cancun in the peak hurricane season from August to October. These months have a high heat index and are very humid.
There is a great chance of rain and the greatest risk of a hurricane.
When is the best time to visit Cancun?
That depends on you! Shoulder season months, between the low season and high season, have reliably good weather and fewer crowds than the high season.
April is in the shoulder season and as long as you avoid the Holy Week crowds, you should be able to find a good deal on hotels.
Are there sharks on Cancun beaches?
There are sharks in the waters off of Cancun beaches, but you do not need to worry about them! If you snorkel or scuba dive you may have the good luck of spotting a shark.
The sharks do not pay any attention to humans and are not dangerous.
Visiting Cancun in April: Final Thoughts
April is a great month to visit Cancun. It is one of the driest months of the year, and you will have great beach weather.
April offers plenty of sunny days and the temperature is starting to creep up from the relatively cooler winter months.
Unless you travel the week before Easter, you will not find huge crowds. Take advantage of the good weather and lower numbers of tourists in the area to get out and explore or sign up for new excursions!
About the Author
Hey there! This is Isabella, the owner, and writer of this site. I have been living in Cancun for the past 12 years and although I have been roaming around Mexico, Cancun’s spectacular turquoise waters and pristine beach draw me back to this popular Mexican beach destination. That is why I decided to start this blog, to show you all the beauty you can find in Cancun and share helpful travel tips to help you plan a fabulous vacation in Cancun!
