Things to Do in Ubon Ratchathani in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Ubon Ratchathani
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Songkran Festival (April 13-15, 2026) transforms Ubon into Thailand's most authentic water festival celebration - locals take it seriously here with traditional merit-making ceremonies at Wat Thung Si Mueang before the city-wide water battles begin around 10am daily
- Mango season peaks in April with varieties you won't find in Bangkok markets - the yellow Nam Dok Mai and sweet Ok Rong mangos sell for ฿40-60/kg at Warinchamrap morning market, and locals eat them with sticky rice as a cooling afternoon snack
- Fewer international tourists compared to northern Thailand during Songkran means accommodation prices stay reasonable (฿800-1,500 for decent guesthouses) and you'll actually interact with Thai festival-goers rather than other backpackers
- The heat drives locals to night markets and riverside areas after 6pm, creating the liveliest evening atmosphere of the year - Thung Si Mueang night market runs until 11pm with double the usual food stalls
Considerations
- Midday temperatures regularly hit 36-38°C (97-100°F) making outdoor temple visits genuinely uncomfortable between 11am-3pm - you'll see even locals retreating indoors during these hours
- April marks the start of Ubon's unpredictable storm season with sudden downpours that flood streets within 20 minutes, particularly in the Warinchamrap district where drainage hasn't kept pace with development
- Songkran week (April 11-16, 2026) means banks close for 3-4 days, some restaurants shut down as owners return to home provinces, and getting anything administrative done becomes impossible - plan accordingly if you need visa extensions or banking
Best Activities in April
Mekong River Sunset Boat Tours
April's low water levels expose sandy beaches along the Mekong that disappear during rainy season, and the evening breeze off the river provides genuine relief from the day's heat. Local long-tail boat operators run 90-minute sunset trips departing around 5:30pm when temperatures drop to a more tolerable 32°C (90°F). You'll pass Wat Tai Phra Chao Yai Ong Tue on the Lao side and might spot fishermen checking nets near the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. The golden hour light in April's dusty atmosphere creates particularly dramatic photos.
Early Morning Temple Cycling Routes
The only comfortable time for outdoor cycling in April is 6am-8:30am before the heat becomes oppressive. This timing actually works perfectly because you'll catch monks receiving alms at Wat Nong Bua and Wat Supattanaram Worawihan around 6:30am. The 12 km (7.5 mile) temple loop through the old city stays relatively shaded, and local coffee shops along Suriyat Road open by 7am for iced coffee stops. By 9am you'll want to be done - the temperature jumps noticeably.
Pha Taem National Park Cliff Viewpoint Hikes
April's dry conditions make the 1.2 km (0.75 mile) cliff-edge trail to the prehistoric rock paintings completely accessible without mud, though you'll want to start the 90-minute drive from Ubon by 5:30am to catch sunrise at 5:50am and finish hiking before 9am heat. The Mekong views from Pha Taem cliff at 250 m (820 ft) elevation are clearest in April's dry air before monsoon haze arrives in May. The 3,000-year-old rock art is best photographed in morning light anyway.
Air-Conditioned Museum and Art Gallery Afternoons
When the 2pm-4pm heat becomes unbearable, locals retreat to Ubon Ratchathani National Museum (฿100 entry) which maintains arctic air conditioning and houses genuinely interesting Dvaravati-period artifacts and regional ethnography exhibits. The newer Ubon Ratchathani Art and Culture Centre (฿50 entry) in a restored 1918 building explains the city's candle-making tradition and shows contemporary Isan art. Both are blissfully empty on weekday afternoons and provide cultural context you'll appreciate when visiting temples in cooler hours.
Night Market Food Tours and Street Eats
April's evening heat drives the entire city outdoors after 6pm, making the night market scene particularly vibrant. Thung Si Mueang night market expands in April with seasonal mango desserts and cooling treats like nam wan (sweet iced drinks with jellies). The later sunset around 6:20pm means markets don't really get going until 6:30pm, but they run later - until 11pm or midnight. The sticky 28°C (82°F) evening temperature is actually perfect for iced Thai tea and walking between stalls.
Kaeng Saphue Rapids Picnic Visits
April's low water transforms these Mekong rapids 3 km (1.9 miles) north of the city into a local picnic spot where families gather on exposed rock platforms in late afternoon. The water level drops enough that you can wade between rocks, and vendors sell grilled fish and som tam from carts parked along the access road. It's not spectacular, but it's authentically local and the river breeze provides relief. Go around 4:30pm when the worst heat has passed but there's still 90 minutes of daylight.
April Events & Festivals
Songkran Festival (Thai New Year Water Festival)
Ubon's Songkran celebration on April 13-15, 2026 maintains traditional Buddhist elements other cities have lost - mornings start with merit-making at Wat Thung Si Mueang where locals pour scented water over Buddha images and elderly relatives' hands in respectful ceremonies. By 10am the water battles begin city-wide, particularly intense along Phalo Road and around Thung Si Mueang Park where pickup trucks mounted with water tanks cruise slowly while passengers drench everyone. Unlike Bangkok's tourist-focused version, Ubon's festival involves genuine community participation. Expect everything to be soaked - phones, cameras, dignity. The whole city essentially shuts down for 3 days.
Thung Si Mueang Candle Procession Preparations
While the famous Candle Festival happens in July, April sees the beginning of candle-carving workshops at Wat Ban Na Mueang where artisans start creating the enormous wax sculptures. Some temples open their workshop areas to visitors who want to watch the intricate carving process. It's not a formal event, more an opportunity to see traditional craftsmanship if you ask politely at temple offices. Worth noting if you're interested in the cultural process behind Ubon's most famous festival.