The 25 Best Places to Travel in April

This often-overlooked South American travel destination offers the biological diversity of the Andes Mountains, the Atacama Desert and the Amazon Basin rainforest - all in one. Specifically, April marks the end of the region’s rainy season, before the dry winter months settle. This change means that Bolivia’s famous salt flats become more accessible on a 4x4, even as they remain partly submerged.

The reflective, mirror-like effect this creates makes for something straight out of Dali’s best daydreams (check out Árbol de Piedra or the "stone tree", to see what we mean). If you’re in the area, be sure to take a jaunt to Lake Titicaca, the continent’s largest lake, and the highest navigable body of water in the world.

The lake borders Peru and is said to be the birthplace of the Incas, and has the ruins to show for it. The Titicaca National Reserve is also home to rare aquatic wildlife, including the - dare-we-say-it seriously adorable - Titicaca giant frog.

For those looking to bring the party to the party, Miami Beach offers the best of warm summer nights, and an electric celebratory atmosphere during Miami Beach Pride. Like in other Pride events, the celebration brings together members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, their friends, allies and supporters. There is a 2-day festival and parade, and the city swells with festive Pride-goers.

Enjoy some of the most authentic Cuban food you’ll find the States-side of Cuba, right on Ocean Drive. You will pass right by the Versace mansion, also known as The Villa or Casa Casuarina, now a luxury hotel with 10 unique suites and a renowned gourmet restaurant, Gianni’s.

If you prefer beach-side to sight-seeing, the waters are warm this time of year, and the skies usually cloudless.

Here is why April is arguably the best month to visit the Canyon: Like other notables mentioned here, it is slightly off-peak season, meaning the crowds are thinner. You may not think that the Grand Canyon (it being Grand and all) can feel overcrowded, but in the key overlooks it definitely can feel that way. This is especially true if your intent is to get into the Canyon and descend below the altitudinal divide separating the camera-happy tourists vying to get the photo, and the through-hikers.

You’ll want every bit of advantage maneuvering the unequal terrain and steep descent - especially if you’re hiking in with a bag full of supplies. The temperatures are also more bearable in April (t-shirt warm in the day, but sometimes hovering in the zero range at night), which means heat exhaustion is less of a risk (do still pack plenty of fluids, even if your goal is to day-hike).

Similarly, and perhaps most memorably, the fact that the Canyon is just emerging out of its winter slumber means the sun hasn’t yet had the chance to bleach it of its sheer lush, green beauty. And so, descending into the Canyon, amidst this eons-old geologic landscape, feels very much like some descent into primordial time itself. An unforgettable experience.

The Bright Angel Trail specifically is also one of the world's most challenging and terrifying hikes. But absolutely worth every step.

Dubbed the ‘next Tulum’ by New York times, Santa Teresa also brings with it its own (and less derivative) charm. It still retains the feel of a one-dirt road surf town, with its core centred around the Santa Teresa Beach, even as development has started to creep in over the last several years.

Beyond that, the vibe is a great meld of local and ex-pat cultures bound together by surf and yoga and that Tican hospitality (many visitors from Spain, Argentina, Israel, and closer to home simply chose to stay). In fact, Costa Rica more broadly is one of the best places for Canadians to live abroad.

April is just ahead of the country's ‘Green Season’ (read: rainy season), which means the crowds are leaving and the weather is beginning to shift, but this is good news for those looking to test the waters - literally. For beginning surfers, especially earlier in April, the waves are small and fun (about waist-high). For those simply looking to relax, unwind, and soak in brilliant Pacific sunsets, or enjoy delicious seafood in local 'sodas' (that ceviche though), there is still plenty to take in.

Check out jungly Canaima Chill House, where the owner/host Juan-Carlos is friendly and helpful about things to see and do, or have a coffee at the Zwart Art Cafe, owned by Canadian artist Margriet Zwart.

You may wish to go on a bike to explore nearby beaches, the Montezuma waterfalls, or deepen your yoga practice at one of the local yoga retreats. And, just as an aside, football and quarterback phenom Tom Brady and model wife Gisele Bundchen own a villa and had their second wedding ceremony here in April 2009.

At the risk of doing one more music festival, we’d be remiss not to mention the Byron Bay Bluesfest, that’s neither slopeside, nor hillside, but is instead very much Bay-side (the other two appear in a few slides). The Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm hosts the Bluesfest annually.

If snow is more your thing, you’re in luck, because April offers the best of all worlds (and seasons). Snowbombing, Austria is the world’s funnest snow and electronic music festival, held in Mayrhofen. Think of it as a 'Glasto of the Alps,' as one paper put it.

The event includes a giant nightclub igloo, an enchanted forest party and a subterranean supper club. Not enough? A 500 km track, a glacier and an award-winning terrain park will offer refuge.

If you can’t make it to Austria for Snowbombing, fear not, you might want to head to Sun Peaks instead. This is where Snowbombing Canada is held. It’s just the place to wear your stylish winter boots for the last time this season.

April in Japan means the snow makes way for a soft carpet of a different kind. Throughout the country, cities and towns celebrate Hanami, the cherry blossom season. But if you're planning to visit more than one place, different parts of the country blossom at different times, so be sure to check the latest blossom forecast.

You don’t have to travel all the way to Japan to see cherry trees in full bloom in April. In Washington, D.C., the National Cherry Blossom Festival starts in late March and runs until mid-April. The festival is made up of events like parties, concerts, a kite festival and the National Cherry Blossom Parade.

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is one of the world’s largest music festivals and the first major festival of its kind on the annual calendar. If Snowbombing is the ‘Glasto of the Alps’, think of this festival as ‘California’s glossy, glam, palm-tree-peppered answer.’ There is something for everyone, and the people-watching alone may be worth the trip.

While rain is par for the course in Vancouver even in April, spring is a great time to visit Canada’s top tourist destination. Whale watching season has started and you can also spot seals, otters and other marine animals. Plus, April features the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival.

The colonial city of Antigua is world famous for its Holy Week processions. However, visiting just after Holy week means you’ll find accommodation more easily and the weather is sunny and warm. Make sure you take a side trip to fabulous Lake Atitlan.

In April, the Canary Islands experience perfect weather: the days are sunny, long and warm but not too hot. Better yet, the hordes of summer tourists haven’t descended yet so you can enjoy the beaches without the crowds.

Cyprus is another great destination in April, since the weather starts warming up enough for sunbathing without burning to a crisp. It’s Zika free too. While the sea may still be a little too cold for swimming, the pleasantly warm temperatures inland are perfect for activities like hiking.

Havana is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the world and in April, the Cuban capital sees pretty much perfect weather, with days that are hot but not unpleasantly so. Sea temperatures are just right for water sports too.

In April, yachties come to Charleston for Charleston Race Week, a three-day regatta. The warm and not-too-humid weather is also perfect for exploring the city’s historic private mansions during the Festival of Houses and Gardens.

By April, most of Ontario’s maple syrup festivals have come and gone but the Sunderland Maple Syrup Festival is usually held in April. There are daily shows, demonstrations and other events and you get to gorge on pancakes dripping with the liquid gold.

While the weather in Lima is a little unpredictable in April, hotel rates drop as the off-season starts. The city hosts several major events, including the Peru Gift Show, where you can buy gorgeous handmade souvenirs, and the Paso Horse Festival.

April marks fall in the Southern Hemisphere and in Buenos Aires it means milder weather, colourful foliage and lower hotel rates. It’s also the month for the Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema.

In April, the weather in Hawaii is mild and not too wet. It’s less expensive to visit, the crowds are thin and you may still see some humpback whales. The main reason to visit Hawaii in April is the Merrie Monarch Festival, which features the world’s most prestigious hula competitions.

In April, Aguascalientes is host to Mexico’s largest fair, the San Marcos Fair, which features concerts, mariachi music and bullfighting. Even if you’re not particularly interested in the fair, you can enjoy the hot April weather while exploring the city’s colonial heritage.

Puerto Vallarta’s tourist numbers – and hotel prices – start dropping in April. While whale watching season is over, the weather is hot and you’ll want to spend your days on the beach, which tend to be crowd free this time of year.

April brings fall colours and milder temperatures to Melbourne, Australia’s cultural capital. The month also brings lots of laughs with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Ski season is winding down but Mont-Tremblant still offers spring skiing into early April. Even if conditions for skiing aren’t great, you can still try to ski or snowboard across a pool during the Caribou Cup. The idea is to wear a crazy outfit while participating, so you might want to look at these wacky celebrity winter styles for ideas.

In terms of weather, April isn’t always the best time to visit Thailand, since it can be uncomfortably hot. However, this is when the entire country celebrates Songkran, the beginning of the Thai New Year, in what is arguably the world’s biggest water fight. The country shuts down for public holidays with locals and tourists soaking each other in the streets. Koh Samui embraces this tradition perhaps most enthusiastically.