Mexico, North America
Oaxaca in April
One of the hottest months. Semana Santa processions are moving if Easter falls here; otherwise the city is quiet and warm.
The straight answer
April is a quiet, good-value month to visit Oaxaca. One of the hottest months. Semana Santa processions are moving if Easter falls here; otherwise the city is quiet and warm.
- Weather
- Hot and dry, highs near 88F (31C)
- Crowds
- 3 of 5
- Prices
- 3 of 5
What April is like in Oaxaca
April is one of the hottest months, with dry highs near 88F (31C) and dusty afternoons. If Easter falls in April, Semana Santa brings moving processions and busy hotels. Otherwise, the city is quiet, warm, and fairly priced.
It works for travelers who can handle heat and plan around it: ruins at opening time, museums and long lunches in the afternoon. Street protests can occasionally block roads in late spring, so leave slack in your plans. For milder weather, choose January, February, or November.
Make the most of April
What is especially good about Oaxaca this month.
Semana Santa processions
When Easter falls in April, the week before brings candlelit processions and solemn ceremonies through the Centro.
Early starts at Monte Alban
Go right at opening, before the heat and tour buses, and finish by late morning.
Long market lunches
Escape the midday heat in the grill aisle of Mercado 20 de Noviembre, where you pick your tasajo and chorizo.
What to pack for April
- Lightweight, loose clothing
- A hat and high-SPF sunscreen
- A reusable water bottle
- Sandals for evenings in town
Our timing tip
Leave extra time for the airport in late spring, since protests sometimes block roads, and follow local news the day before.
Book Oaxaca for April.
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- Hotels for April
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in OaxacaOpens a hotel search for Oaxaca in April, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in OaxacaWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in OaxacaTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Oaxaca for April. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
What's on in April
Semana Santa
The week before Easter, March or April
Processions and solemn ceremonies in the Centro. Mexican holiday travelers fill hotels.
Things to do in Oaxaca
Monte Alban
The Zapotec capital on a leveled mountaintop above the city. Go when it opens to beat the heat and the tour buses; bring a hat, there is little shade.
Templo de Santo Domingo and the Museo de las Culturas
The gilded church interior is one of Mexico's baroque masterpieces; the former convent next door holds the treasures of Tomb 7 from Monte Alban.
Mercado 20 de Noviembre and Benito Juarez market
The smoke-filled grill aisle for tasajo and chorizo, then chocolate, mole pastes, and chapulines next door. Go at lunch.
Museo Textil de Oaxaca
A small, excellent museum of regional and international textiles in the Centro. Free and often overlooked.
Hierve el Agua
Mineral springs and petrified waterfalls about 90 minutes away. Access has occasionally been closed by local disputes, so confirm before you go.
Mitla and the Tule tree
Combine the stone fretwork of Mitla with the massive ahuehuete tree in Santa Maria del Tule, one of the widest trees in the world.
Beat the crowds
- For Dia de Muertos, book hotels four to six months ahead, and consider arriving a week early to see altar building and markets before the peak crowds arrive.
- January and February are the empty, sunny months. You get the same food and markets at half the Dia de Muertos price.
- Go to Monte Alban at opening time and save the markets for the afternoon, when the ruins are hot and busy.
- For the Guelaguetza, free community versions and parades happen around the city even if the main auditorium tickets are gone.
Know before you go
- Many museums close on Mondays, which catches visitors out. Check hours for any museum you plan around.
- Christmas through January 6 and Semana Santa are Mexican holiday periods: sights are open but crowded, and some small businesses shut for a few days.
- Access to Hierve el Agua and some villages is occasionally closed by local community disputes or blockades. Ask your hotel before heading out.
- Teacher and labor protests sometimes block streets in the Centro or roads to the airport, especially in late spring. Leave extra time and follow local news.
Oaxaca in April, quick answers
Is April a good time to visit Oaxaca?
April is a quiet, good-value month to visit Oaxaca. One of the hottest months. Semana Santa processions are moving if Easter falls here; otherwise the city is quiet and warm.
What is the weather like in Oaxaca in April?
Hot and dry, highs near 88F (31C).
Is Oaxaca crowded in April?
Crowds in Oaxaca are moderate in April; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.
What is happening in Oaxaca in April?
Semana Santa (the week before easter, march or april).
Keep planning Oaxaca.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in April
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