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The weather in Mexico in May is mostly hot and dry, but for some parts of the country, this is the beginning of the rainy season. From the point of view of tourists, May is a quiet month, which means you can cover the country’s top-rated destinations without big crowds. There is plenty to do and see in the country—from lazing on beaches and attending a jazz festival in Cancún to enjoying water sports in Cabo San Lucas, hiking in the Copper Canyon, and spotting adorable sea turtles in Isla Mujeres. Since tourists tend to avoid traveling to Mexico in May because of the heat, you can get amazing discounts during this month and might even find the weather surprisingly mild in many places.

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Mexico Weather in May

White sand beach with palm tree on tropical island in Caribbean sea
Temperatures can get quite high in Mexico in May but it provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy the balmy weather.

May is officially the beginning of the monsoon season in Mexico. However, there is not much rainfall during this month compared with the wettest periods of the year. Mexico’s weather during this time of year can vary from being warm to hot and sunny, depending on where you are traveling.

In Cancun, average highs can reach 33ºC, although mornings and evenings are mostly nice and warm. Here, the minimum temperature stays above 20ºC. In Riviera Maya, on the other hand, the mercury can shoot as high as 30°C, while even the lows are balmy at 25.8°C. There is a possibility of downpours in Mexico City, the capital, during this month. But otherwise, you can expect the mercury to hover between 24ºC and 27ºC during the day, while the lows can be as chilly as 13.7°C.

For a seasonal overview, check out our travel guide on the best time to visit Mexico.

Weather in Mexico in May - Rainfall and Temperatures

AprMayJun
Avg Daily (°C)252524
Avg Nightly (°C)101112
Avg Daily (°F)777776
Avg Nightly (°F)505254
Avg Rainfall (mm)203040

Why Visit Mexico in May

Free diver girl glides with school of fishes in blue ocean
Beat the heat by taking a refreshing dip in the cool waters of Mexico in May.
Cinco De Mayo Parade
Enjoy the festivities of Mexico in May by taking part in the Cinco De Mayo parades.

It makes a lot of sense to visit Mexico in May if you choose your destinations wisely. Below are some reasons why you should consider traveling to the country during this time of year.

  • Thin crowds: Most foreign travelers avoid visiting Mexico in May, which means fewer tourist encounters and fewer queues.
  • Great deals: Hotels and travel companies lure visitors to Mexico in the low tourist season by slashing rates. So, if you are planning a budget vacation in Tulum, this is your best time.
  • Water sports: From diving and snorkeling to a wide range of water sports, May is the time to splash around and beat the heat.
  • Festivities: Mexico’s national holiday, Cinco de Mayo, which marks the defeat of the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, is celebrated on May 5 every year with parades, music, dances, and battle reenactments. Other major festivals and events in May include the Cancun Jazz Festival, which brings musicians from around the world; and the Feast of San Isidro, which is organized in honor of the patron saint of farmers.

Where to go and what to do

Idyllic beach of Caribbean Sea in Playa del Carmen
Enjoy the idyllic view of the Caribbean Sea in Playa del Carmen and enjoy the local culture and cuisine.

Blend your island fantasy with a unique Mexican flavor while on a tour of Isla Mujeres, located off the coast of Cancun. The vibes are dreamy out here and the water is crystal clear. In addition to being the perfect spot to relax, this island is a dream come true for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts.

Visit Playa Del Carmen and find out why it is one of Mexico’s top resort towns—crowds are more international here, beaches are great and the cuisine is heavenly. Few destinations combine water sports and marine life sightings as brilliantly as Puerto Vallarta, so make sure to include a visit to the resort town be on your itinerary if it already is not. Another excellent vacation destination is Cozumel, which has some of the most outstanding snorkeling sites in Latin America. And oh, the beaches are heavenly. For surfing in May, you cannot go wrong with Sayulita. As a bonus, this destination also combines wildlife sightings and delicious seafood. In the highly-rated Los Cabos, located on the tip of the Baja Peninsula, you can ride high waves, go fishing, enjoy golfing, and watch dolphins.

Mexico City’s weather in May is moderate so cover all the top sights of Mexico’s political and cultural capital during the day, including the grand Palacio de Bellas Artes and the monumental pre-Aztec ruins of Teotihuacan (a Unesco World Heritage site). Rent a colorful gondola and enjoy a three-hour cruise through the lovely floating gardens and canals of Xochimilco. If you are into art, you might also want to visit the home of legendary Mexican artist Frida Kahlo which has now been turned into a museum.

What to bring

Young Asian man in raincoat in the outdoor with rain
As May marks the beginning of the monsoon season in Mexico, make sure that you are well-equipped with rain jackets to face the rain.

Mexico sees moderate-to-high temperatures along with rainfall during the month of May. Make sure that you pack a sturdy pair of walking shoes along with a rain jacket before heading for the country. The other outfits that you need are t-shirts and light jumpers unless your itinerary includes a stay in the capital city, in which case you might want to carry a few warm layers for chilly evenings.

May is a low tourist season in Mexico. Plan your trip well and pick destinations where the weather is milder and the chances of rainfall are scant. Discounts on hotels and activities are on offer for travelers heading to the country during this month. Our local travel experts can help you plan a customized trip to Mexico based on your requirements. Also, make sure to check out our travel guide on how many days to spend in Mexico. We recommend going on a 10-day trip for the ideal tip. However, if you are strapped for time, you could opt for a 7-day itinerary to cover all the major highlights in the country.

So, look no further to plan your trip to Mexico in May.

Our other similar travel guides that may interest you:
Mexico in April
Mexico in June
Mexico private tours
Mexico group tours

Published by Lucas Toft, updated on August 29, 2022

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