Heading to Mexico and are curious about what the weather in Mexico in May is like?
You’ve come to the right place! In the article below I will share some of my top tips on traveling to Mexico in May.
You can trust us too because the Adventure in You team has traveled and lived in Mexico, so we are full of insider tips you can trust when you visit in May.
Keep on reading this article to help you plan the perfect trip to Mexico.
View Contents
- Weather in Mexico Month on Month Guide
- Weather in Mexico in May
- Why Visit Mexico in May
- Popular Places to Visit in Mexico in May
- 1. Cancun in May
- 2. Mexico City in May
- 3. Tulum in May
- 4. Playa del Carmen in May
- 5. Cabo San Lucas in May
- 6. Isla Holbox in May
- 7. Cozumel in May
- 8. Oaxaca in May
- 9. Puerto Vallarta in May
- 10. Bacalar in May
- 11. Riviera Maya in May
- Events in Mexico in May
- FAQ on the Weather in Mexico in May
Weather in Mexico Month on Month Guide
Want to find out what the weather in Mexico is like month on month? Check out our other articles for an in-depth guide on planning your trip.
- Weather in Mexico in January
- Weather in Mexico in February
- Weather in Mexico in March
- Weather in Mexico in April
- Weather in Mexico in June
- Weather in Mexico in July
- Weather in Mexico in August
- Weather in Mexico in September
- Weather in Mexico in October
- Weather in Mexico in November
- Weather in Mexico in December
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Weather in Mexico in May
In a nutshell, you can expect a lot of Mexico to be hot, and humid with showers in May. But don’t let this put you off, as the showers don’t tend to last long.
You can make the most of water activities to help cool you down in the hotter destinations. The first half of May will most likely give you better weather than the latter part of the month.
When is Rainy season in Mexico?
The rainy season runs from May to October in Mexico. You will be visiting during the rainy season if you come in May, however, there is little rain in May compared to the other months in the season.
Rain in Mexico is not like British rain where it lasts all day, it tends to be a passing shower lasting no more than an hour.
Average Temperatures for Mexico in May
Mexico is huge so the average temperature will depend on where you’re visiting. You can expect low rainfall and mild temperatures with an average of around 90°F.
This can feel hotter due to the high humidity levels. Make sure to keep hydrated and utilize any pools to cool off.
Why Visit Mexico in May
So the weather in Mexico may not be ideal in May, however, this does mean it’s a quieter month for tourists. This means you can visit the top destinations without the stress of the big crowds.
This also means scoring great deals on hotels and flights!
Just be aware that hot, humid weather along with rain means there will be more bugs and mosquitoes (like in most tropical climates) so make sure to pack insect repellent to protect yourself.
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Popular Places to Visit in Mexico in May
To help you plan your trip to Mexico, I will take you through the best places to visit in May, plus give you tips on how to make the most of the activities on offer.
1. Cancun in May
May is one of the quieter months to visit Cancun, but it’s also very hot! With temperatures around 90°F in the day and 77°F at night, you will be looking for some water-based activities to help you cool off!
The humidity is also quite unforgiving at around 77% so make sure to keep hydrated and wear breathable clothing! Linen and other lightweight, breathable clothing is highly recommended.
May is in the rainy season for Cancun so you could see some rain, but it’s by far the wettest month.
During your trip, you could visit Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid on this trip which allows you to visit both cultural sites and have a dip in the cooling cenotes – perfect for a hot May day!
If you want to see when the best time to go to Cancun is, check out our full article.
Weather in Cancun in May
2. Mexico City in May
The temperature is around 80°F in May so although it’s still warm, you may experience an afternoon shower or two as May is in the rainy season for Mexico City.
The temperature does dip to around 55°F so you might want to consider long sleeves or warmer clothing for the evenings.
The city is diverse and fascinating, so no matter what the weather, there are plenty of things to do in Mexico City.
If you are planning to visit Mexico City in May, you might want to consider taking a trip to Puebla City for Cinco de Mayo as it’s considered one of the best cities for celebrating this exciting festival.
For more tips, check out our 4-day Mexico City Itinerary. If you’re looking for fun activities which you can do even if it’s raining, consider attending a local cooking class or a fun night out watching Lucha wrestling, eating tacos, and drinking Cerveza.
Weather in Mexico City in May
3. Tulum in May
The weather in Tulum, Mexico in May can be less than perfect, but don’t let this stop you from visiting.
There’s likely to be rain showers in the afternoons, but this also means the crowds will be smaller and you will get more for your money with accommodation and transport.
Tulum has risen in popularity over the last few years (and in cost), but as May is part of the low season, you can get some great deals here. If you’re interested, check out our Casa Malca Review, Pablo Escobar’s Mexican home in Tulum.
The average temperature in May is around 90°F so it’s still hot, there are numerous Tulum cenotes you could enjoy to cool off. Or even have a cold refreshing drink at one of the many beach clubs in Tulum.
If you’re looking for the best times to go to Tulum then check out this article.
Weather in Tulum in May
4. Playa del Carmen in May
Playa del Carmen, or “PDC” was the Adventure in You’s home base for an entire year. This means they’ve seen the weather through all the seasons.
From experience, you can expect hot, humid days in Playa in May with temperatures around 90°F and falling to around 72°F in the evenings.
To help you keep cool in this hot weather, I’d recommend heading to the water! There are plenty of Playa del Carmen cenotes nearby which you can easily visit, rain or shine. Also make sure you drink plenty of water to keep hydrated!
You will likely see rain in May as it’s the rainy season for Playa del Carmen. Luckily even the downpours only last around an hour.
If you are planning to visit the Mayan Ruins nearby, I would suggest you do this in the morning to avoid the humidity of the afternoons. Fun activities to do during this month include Paddle Surf Sunrise and Sunset as well as a Gastronomic food tour around Playa del Carmen.
Weather in Playa del Carmen in May
5. Cabo San Lucas in May
With its relaxed vibe, Cabo San Lucas is the more popular of the two Cabos, (San Jose del Cabo).
Cabo gets a sensational 300 days of sunshine a year so you could visit any time of the year.
The rainy season here is only for 2 months from August to September and the rest of the time is blue skies and sunshine so you can expect to have great weather for your trip in May.
May is on the hotter side with average temperatures around 90°F, you can take advantage of this by taking a refreshing swim in the ocean or pool.
May is an incredible time for diving and snorkeling to spot some sea life. If you are not keen on water sports, you can also catch this sunset cruise with an open bar.
Other must-do activities in Cabo during the month of May is Kayak to the arches on a glass bottom kayak. This is one of our best recommendations in the area.
Weather in Cabo San Lucas in May
6. Isla Holbox in May
Isla Holbox will provide you with the perfect surroundings to completely relax! Take a stroll through the streets to admire the street art or murals, or best yet, hire a golf buggy and drive yourself around like a local.
The hottest it will be in May is around 92°F so make sure to pack your bathers so you can take a dip in the water! Like most of Mexico in May, it is hot with a good chance of some rain in Isla Holbox.
However, this shouldn’t put you off visiting as the weather in May is still relatively mild.
Weather in Isla Holbox in May
7. Cozumel in May
Located around 30 minutes from Playa del Carmen, you can reach the island of Cozumel by ferry or plane. This means the climate is quite similar to Playa del Carmen.
Cozumel is hot in May, with temperatures around 90°F in May with lows of around 74°F.
You will likely have showers if you travel to Cozumel in May, which may help you cool off from the heat, or you can enjoy some water activities.
Cozumel scuba diving is famous amongst dive enthusiasts as it’s home to the second largest coral reef – Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
Not a certified scuba diver? You can still wonder at the stunning marine life in this guided Atlantis Submarine Expedition tour.
8. Oaxaca in May
Oaxaca has a tremendous culture, it is known for its foodie scene so you can try all the delicious foods or dare to try a Traditional Cooking Class.
The weather in Oaxaca, Mexico is quite warm in May with the high temperature around 90°F, ideal for visiting one of the many gorgeous beaches like Puerto Escondido or Mazunte.
If you are an avid surf enthusiast, the best time to hit the waves are during the months of May to September. During this time, places like Puerto Escondido can get packed so plan your visit accordingly.
The night temperatures do drop to around 60°F so it can be a bit chilly compared to the day so you might want to bring some warmer clothes.
Weather in Oaxaca in May
9. Puerto Vallarta in May
Puerto Vallarta is a wonderful city in the Riviera Nayarit that is not only one of the safest places to visit but is also welcoming to all sorts of travelers (solo, couples, LGBTQ, and families).
You can expect hotter and more humid weather in Puerto Vallarta in May with the average temperature being up to 85°F. You can also expect some quick afternoon showers.
Make the most of the hot weather and check out some of Puerto Vallarta’s great beaches such as Las Gemelas Beach, Los Muertos Beach, Bahia Banderas, or the nearby hippie town of Sayulita.
If ever you find yourself in a situation where it’s raining, there are plenty of activities to do to avoid the rain, such as a Bean to Chocolate Bar Class, Food Tour with a Local Foodie, or a Mixology and Food Tour.
Weather in Puerto Vallarta in May
10. Bacalar in May
Bacalar is a fantastic destination if you are looking to escape the crowds and the main tourist spots. May is the start of the rainy season, so like a lot of Mexico in May, you can expect some showers.
Don’t let this hold you back, May is warm in Bacalar with the average high temperature around 92°F, so pack some light clothing and sun protection.
The humidity is also quite high at around 74% during the month of May but this doesn’t matter too much as you can spend all your time swimming in the stunning waters of Laguna de Bacalar or go on the many Bacalar tours available in the area.
Weather in Bacalar in May
11. Riviera Maya in May
The Riviera Maya is full of top resorts and is one of the fanciest places to stay in the Yucatan Peninsula. It encompasses popular beach towns of Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Puerto Morelos, and more.
It is going to be hot in May with temperatures reaching up to 91°F, but you can always have a dip in the sea to cool off.
Humidity is still relatively high at 78% so you might want to plan some water-based activities to cool off or check out one of the Cenotes in Mayan Riviera.
Events in Mexico in May
Cinco de Mayo – Unlike the Americanized tradition, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated quite differently in Mexico. Celebrated mainly in the state of Puebla, May 5th 1862 is the date the Mexican army defeated the French forces. Recreations of the battle take place on this day. However, with that being said, you can still expect to find lots of celebrations and parties in main tourist hot spots like Tulum and Playa del Carmen.
Labor Day (Dia del Trabajo) – A national public holiday in Mexico that is celebrated with political and labor union marches along with meetings and speeches. Schools, banks, and government offices are closed. Keep this in mind when planning your vacation as some restaurants might be closed during this holiday.
Restaurant Week in Puerto Vallarta – you can enjoy delicious set meals from some of the best restaurants in Puerto Vallarta in the second half of May. Some restaurants offer as much as 50% off each course and have multiple deals going on. Foodies, plan accordingly!
Pride Vallarta – As we’ve already said, Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico’s most LGBTQ+ friendly destinations. This annual event celebrates pride with beach parties, music festivals, and activities in participating bars. This usually takes place at the end of May and is one of the most lively times to visit PV!
FAQ on the Weather in Mexico in May
There are a couple of reasons why May is a good time to visit Mexico; it’s the first month of the rainy month, but it’s the month with the least amount of rain. It’s still hot, so if you enjoy the sun, you can still enjoy its warmth without the crowds. As mentioned, tourism is quieter in May which makes it easier for you to explore the top sights.
You will find plenty of hot destinations in Mexico in May. The Yucatán Peninsula with the famous resorts of Cancun and Playa del Carmen will be a popular choice as it’s hot and has very little rain despite it being the rainy season.
Temperatures do vary throughout Mexico but on average it’s 90°F. This can feel even hotter with the humidity levels in May, so keep hydrated!
The dry season runs between November and April and this does tend to be the busier period for visitors.
Due to the variety of weather and opportunities within Mexico, you can always find a quiet time or place to visit and escape the crowds.
Looking for more articles on Mexico? Check out our full guide below.
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