Visiting Mexico in May: Weather Info, The Best Places to Travel & More
Planning a trip to Mexico in May?
You’re in the right place because I live in Mexico, and I’m going to share everything I know about traveling to Mexico in May with you!
A year-round destination, you can visit Mexico anytime, but May is ideal for certain places more than others — which you’ll soon discover.
In this article, you’ll learn about the 10 best places to visit in Mexico in May, including Cancun, Mexico City, Oaxaca, Tulum and Cabo San Lucas (Los Cabos).
You’ll also learn about the weather in Mexico in May, and the Cinco de Mayo holiday on May 5th.
Ready to learn all about visiting Mexico in May? Let’s get to it!
Typical Mexico May Weather
You’re likely wondering, What is the weather like in Mexico in May? — so you can plan the best trip possible.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Mexico weather in May is usually less-than-idea. However, this shouldn’t deter you from traveling to Mexico in May.
May is the last month of the Mexico rainy season. It is, however, still within the rainy season, but if you visit towards the end of the month, you may have no rain at all.
Still, the weather in Mexico in May is often rainy, but that means prices are still on the lower end.
- When is the rainy season in Mexico? The rainy season Mexico months span from about May to October, and it will very likely rain in Mexico in May, especially towards the end of the month.
- When is the Mexico busy season? The busy season in Mexico runs from about November to April. If you don’t mind some rain, the rainy season is also the slow season in Mexico, which means fewer crowds and lower price tags.
- How hot is Mexico in May? May is known as the hottest month in Mexico, but in all honesty, Mexico in June weather isn’t much cooler, and won’t really cool down until October.
Average temperatures in Mexico in May
There is no set temperature in Mexico in May, because temperatures fluctuate a lot from one part of the country to the other.
In general, expect a lot of precipitation and high temperatures — as you would with any tropical destination in May.
The beaches in Mexico on the coast are much hotter than the cities in Central Mexico, like Mexico City, Guadalajara and San Miguel de Allende
However, the cities are still on the hotter side, and you can expect afternoon showers on most days in Central Mexican cities.
Mexico Travel Tips: If you hate the heat, head indoors and soak up the air conditioning during the hottest parts of the day, from about 11am-2pm. To enjoy the low temperatures, do all your indoor activities in the afternoons.
Cinco de Mayo in Mexico: May 5th
Though a rather big holiday celebration in the U.S. most Mexicans don’t actually celebrate 5 de Mayo (also called Cinco de Mayo, 5 Mayo Mexico or May 5th).
In fact, it’s really only celebrated in one city, Puebla, Mexico, which is located about three hours south of Mexico City.
Contrary to what some think, Cinco de Mayo isn’t Mexican Independence Day (that’s September 16).
The holiday actually commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over France in the 1862 Battle of Puebla.
Many don’t know this, but Mexico was under French governance in 1862.
Mexico Cinco de Mayo Celebrations
The best place for celebrating Cinco de Mayo in Mexico is Puebla City, the capital of Puebla State.
Though you can visit on a day trip from Mexico City, you’ll want to spend some time in Puebla City, a beautiful, historic colonial city that’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For those who make the trip to attend Cinco de Mayo in Puebla, it’s a festive time with parades, music in the streets, battle reenactments, and special foods like chile en nogada, the National Dish of Mexico.
Outside of Puebla City, you won’t find any May 5th Mexico celebrations.
10 Best Places to Visit in Mexico in May
Wondering where to go in Mexico in May?
If you don’t mind a little rain, you can visit anywhere you’d like — though Mexico’s rainy season begins in May, so expect showers.
Below, you’ll find the Top 10 places to travel in Mexico in May, with some info about what to expect in each.
1. Cancun in May
For more information on visiting Cancun Mexico, check out this Cancun Travel Guide.
Cancun is the top travel destination in Mexico, and even though the weather isn’t ideal in May, that doesn’t stop people from visiting.
You will want to make sure you’re staying hydrated, because as you’ll see below that the weather in Cancun in May can still be quite hot 🥵
Looking for the best things to do in Cancun in May? Don’t miss swimming in the Cancun cenotes, and the Mayan Ruins in Cancun.
While summers in Cancun are popular with families, especially at these family-friendly Cancun all inclusive resorts, May is much calmer.
In fact, May in Cancun is one of the least-crowded months, so it’s a tranquil time for traveling to Cancun Mexico, albeit hot.
What’s the average humidity in Cancun in May?
The Cancun humidity in May averages about 77% — so put clothing that doesn’t show sweat on your Mexico packing list!
It is quite muggy when traveling to Cancun in May, so plan for water activities in the afternoons to escape the heat.
Wondering, What’s the average temperature in Cancun in May? You can expect about 90°F (32°C) during the day, and 77°F (25°C) at night.
🥵 In short: It’s hot! Don’t forget to stay hydrated with this Water-To-Go bottle, and even this misting fan to cool your skin.
Does it rain all day in Cancun in May?
Usually, no. It will typically rain for 1-2 hours in the afternoon, and then the sun will come back out. You should expect daily rain, but regular storms pass quickly.
If you happen to be visiting during a tropical depression, tropical storm, or even hurricane, then yes, it might rain all day.
RELATED ARTICLE 🏖️ Cancun in May: Weather Info and Travel Tips
Keep in mind that the Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 to November 30, so there is some chance of bad storms in Mexico in May.
By no means is May the wettest month in Cancun, but it will likely still rain a bit, and you might feel some higher wind speed from storms.
Cancun Weather in May
2. Mexico City in May
For more information on visiting Mexico City, check out this Mexico City Travel Guide.
Considering a Mexico City May trip?
Not many know this, but the winters in Mexico City are on the colder side, so if you don’t like the cold, May is a great month to visit Mexico City.
You can expect some afternoon showers on most days, but it rarely rains all day.
One of the world’s biggest cities, right up there with New York City, there’s plenty of indoor things to do in Mexico City when it rains.
Start the day with a nice breakfast or brunch, then head to some of the best museums in Mexico City in the afternoons.
From the museum, enjoy some tacos at the best restaurants in Mexico City.
By then, the rains should have passed, and you’ll enjoy the Mexico City nightlife in peace.
Looking for the best things to do in Mexico City at night?! You must see a Lucha Libre wrestling match!
What’s the best time to visit Mexico City?
This will depend on your preferences, but the Mexico City rainy season is from about April to October, so many want to avoid that.
It doesn’t usually rain too much in Mexico City in May, but if you want sunny days everyday on your trip, visit in the dry season from November to March.
🦋 Monarch Butterfly Season in Mexico: One of the best experiences is visiting the Piedra Herrada Butterfly Sanctuary during the annual butterfly migration in Mexico, from late-November to March.
Book a Mexico butterfly tour to see millions of butterflies in the mountains near Mexico City.
I lived in Mexico City Mexico for a while, and my personal favorite time to visit is March during jacaranda season, when all the purple jacaranda flowers are in bloom.
The winters are too cold for my liking, so months like May are nice because you get warm days and mild, cool nights.
Weather in Mexico City in May
3. Cabo San Lucas in May
For more information on visiting Cabo San Lucas, check out this Cabo Travel Guide.
Cabo San Lucas and nearby San Jose del Cabo are located in the Los Cabos Municipality.
In Spanish, los cabos means “the capes,” (as cabo means “cape”). These are the top two destinations in Los Cabos Mexico.
Cabo San Lucas is the more popular of the two Cabos, though the airport you’ll fly into is in San Jose del Cabo, about 40 minutes away.
With a more relaxed vibe, San Jose del Cabo offers a nice alternative to lively Cabo San Lucas, so some travelers stay there.
With warmer weather all year, Mexico is great year-round — and Cabo even more so.
It averages 300 days of sunshine each year (though some say it gets 350 days of sunshine ☀️), so you can expect to have a nice trip to Los Cabos in May.
In fact, the Cabo rainy season only runs from about August to September, followed by 8-10 months of sunshine.
May is on the hotter side in Cabo, and temperatures average about 90°F (32°C), but you can always hop in your Cabo beach resort pool or the ocean for a refreshing swim.
Cabo Weather in May
4. Tulum in May
For more information on visiting Tulum Mexico, check out this Tulum Travel Guide.
Once a sleepy beach town, Tulum is now one of the most popular and best places to visit in Mexico.
In recent years, it has also become one of the most expensive.
Since May is one of the Tulum low season months, you will find some of the best deals on Tulum resorts in May.
Weather-wise, it will likely rain for a bit each afternoon. However, if you’re planning to travel to Tulum on a budget, your money will stretcher further in the summer.
Since the Tulum weather in May isn’t perfect, less people visit, so there will be smaller crowds.
With the money you can save visiting Tulum in the slow season, you may even want to extend your trip beyond Mexico and into Central America
Just a few hours south of Tulum, you can do a land crossing into Belize near Lake Bacalar, Mexico.
Tulum Weather in May
5. Oaxaca in May
For more information on visiting Oaxaca Mexico, check out this Oaxaca Travel Guide.
🗣 Before we talk about visiting Oaxaca in May, let’s clear up the Oaxaca pronunciation.
If you’re wondering, How do you pronounce Oaxaca?, it’s waa-haa-kah.
Oaxaca State is one of the most culturally-rich places in Mexico and all Latin America.
Oaxaca City, the capital of Oaxaca State, is well known as the Foodie Capital of Mexico thanks to its delicious Oaxacan cuisine.
There’s also and colorful festivals, like Day of the Dead and the Guelaguetza.
When most people say “Oaxaca,” they are referring to Oaxaca City (AKA Oaxaca de Juarez), in the central part of the state.
The beaches of Oaxaca, like Puerto Escondido, Mazunte, Zipolite and Huatulco, are also popular, but they are located on the Pacific Coast.
Oaxaca City weather is more of a desert-like climate, versus the beaches that are quite tropical.
Though a desert, Oaxaca City does have a rainy season which runs from about May to September.
It shouldn’t rain too much in May, especially the last half of the month.
Oaxaca Weather in May
6. Riviera Maya in May
The Riviera Maya is located between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, in the Yucatán Peninsula.
It is the most posh area in Yucatan, where you’ll find many of the best resorts in Mexico and even the nicest Mexico overwater bungalows.
Given its location, you can expect similar weather to Cancun, Tulum and Playa del Carmen, which is to say: hot!
Of course, you’ll be right on the Caribbean Sea, so you’ll likely have a nice breeze from time to time, but you can also jump in the sea to cool off.
Costa Maya Mexico Weather in May: Located about 3.5 hours south of Riviera Maya, you’ll be in the beach town of Mahahual, Mexico on the Costa Maya. The weather will be similar to Riviera Maya, but the vibe is much more laid back.
Besides the Caribbean, there are so many other places to cool off and swim near Riviera Maya.
From the cenotes in Tulum and cenotes near Cancun, both close to Riviera Maya, you also have water parks like Xcaret and Xel-Ha, and underground rivers, like Rio Secreto.
For a truly memorable experience, head about 40 minutes south to the beach town of Akumal.
It’s just south of Tulum, and one of the more up-and-coming Mexico resort towns.
However, the real claim to fame is that you can swim with the turtles in Akumal Beach.
riviera maya weather in May
7. Puerto Vallarta in May
For more information on visiting Puerto Vallarta Mexico, check out this Puerto Vallarta Travel Guide.
Puerto Vallarta is one of the safest cities in Mexico, and best beach towns in Mexico.
It appeals to all types of travelers, from solo travelers to honeymooners, families and LGBTQ+ travelers — as Puerto Vallarta is the gay capital of Mexico, or the San Francisco of Mexico.
If you’re looking to go on a cruise to Mexico in May, see if there are any to Puerto Vallarta. A top destination for cruises in Mexico, there’s no shortage of things to do in Puerto Vallarta when you venture off-boat.
Sayulita in May: Located about one hour from Puerto Vallarta, many visit or even take a day trip to Sayulita, Mexico. This bohemian beach town has less-than-ideal weather, similar to Puerto Vallarta in May, but it’s absolutely worth checking out.
On one side of the city, there’s Bahía Banderas (Bay of Banderas), a tranquil inlet off the Pacific Ocean great for swimming, snorkeling, and whale watching (winter only).
The Sierra Madre mountains are located just behind the beach, so you really get the best of all worlds.
As with all Mexico beaches in May, you can expect hot, humid weather, and rain showers in the afternoons.
The showers usually pass quickly, and then you can go back to enjoying all the Old World charm, beautiful nature, and best beaches Puerto Vallarta has to offer.
Puerto Vallarta Weather in May
8. Playa del Carmen in May
For more information on visiting Playa del Carmen Mexico, check out this Playa del Carmen Travel Guide.
Though some call Playa del Carmen the mini-Cancun, it’s a destination in its own right.
Now, to get there, you do have to travel from Cancun to Playa del Carmen (or just “Playa,” as the locals call it), but it’s just a one hour drive.
Once you arrive in Playa, it’s much more of a beach town than Cancun, which is a resort town.
Now, there are some beautiful resorts in Playa del Carmen, but it has a small town feel. It’s much more walkable than Cancun, which is great because there’s no Uber in Playa del Carmen.
What these two places do share, being so close to one another, is their weather.
Much like Cancun, you can expect hot, humid days, and rain in the afternoons.
The best plan of action when traveling to Playa del Carmen in May is to be indoors, or swimming in water, in the afternoons.
If you want to visit any of the nearby Mayan Ruins in Mexico, arrive early in the morning when they open, and you’ll be done touring the site by the time the rain rolls in.
When in the Yucatan Peninsula, don’t miss Chichen Itza Pyramids — one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Playa del Carmen Weather in May
9. Puerto Escondido in May
For more information on visiting Puerto Escondido Mexico and all the best beaches of Oaxaca, check out this Oaxaca Beaches Travel Guide.
Located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, Puerto Escondido is the most famous of all Oaxaca Beaches.
It is popular with surfers, artists, backpackers, and solo travelers in Mexico, but there’s really something for everyone in “Puerto,” as the locals call it.
🏄♀️ Want to learn to surf in Puerto Escondido? Book some surfing lessons now so you can learn how to in one of the best places to surf in Mexico.
Some will start in Oaxaca City, then make the Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido journey, for a complete Oaxaca state trip.
There are so many things to do in Puerto Escondido, however, that you can easily spend your whole trip there.
When in town, you’ll want to visit the best beaches in Puerto Escondido, like Playa Carrizalillo, Playa Zicatela, Playa Bacocho, Playa La Punta, and Playa Puerto Angel.
April is at the tail end of the Mexico whale season, so you likely won’t see any whales inn May.
You can also take this Puerto Escondido boat tour out to see the dolphins that hang out near Puerto year-round.
When the sun is setting, join this baby turtle release experience to send these adorable creatures into the sea for the first time.
At night, head to Laguna Manialtepec Lagoon to see the bioluminescence.
Puerto Escondido Weather in May
10. Cozumel in May
🚢 Planning to take a Mexico cruise in May? Cozumel Island is one of the best Mexico cruise ports, especially for snorkelers and divers.
Cozumel is a Mexican Caribbean island, located about 30 minutes by ferry from Playa del Carmen.
There are also flights to Cozumel, and you can land right on the island at Cozumel International Airport.
It’s also quite easy to travel from Cancun to Cozumel.
Some say Cozumel is the best place for snorkeling in Mexico, and the best place for diving in Mexico as well.
Just off-shore, there’s the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest coral reef in the world, after the Great Barrier Reef.
There are plenty of ways to see the reef, even if you don’t want to swim.
That’s right, this Cozumel Submarine Tour is an unforgettable experience to see these coral reefs in an actual submarine.
Cozumel also has beautiful beaches, and Mayan Ruins as well.
Of course, you will likely get rain when traveling to Cozumel in May.
However, the vast majority of all the best things to do in Cozumel involve being in, on or near the Caribbean Sea, so that makes the afternoon showers tolerable.
Cozumel Weather in May
Weather in Mexico in May: Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best time of year to visit Mexico?
Weather-wise, the best time to travel to Mexico is from November to March.
This is during the dry season, when you’ll see very little (if any) rain, low humidity, and few mosquitoes. This is also the high or busy season in Mexico, when most people visit.
For travelers who want to escape the crowds, the summer months will give you the most bang for your buck.
In May, you’ll see flight prices drop and get deals at many hotels. If you want to treat yourself to a fancy resort in Mexico, you’ll likely find the best deals in May.
When is the shoulder season in Mexico?
The shoulder season is a magical time when the weather is still nice, but the crowds have died down, and the prices have as well.
It takes place just as the busy season is about to begin, and right after it ends.
For my money, this is the best time to visit Mexico!
The Mexico shoulder season includes the months of October to November and April to May; though May is the hottest month in Mexico.
You may still find great Mexico travel deals in other months, but you likely won’t find low prices or small crowds anytime during the busy season.
How hot is it in Mexico in May?
You might want to know, Is it too hot to go to Mexico in May?
This answer is a matter of preference, but in short: It is quite hot in Mexico in May. If you don’t like tropical weather, Mexico in November will be a much more enjoyable month for you.
❄️ Mexico Fun Fact: The coldest city in Mexico is the small pueblo of Ciudad Madera, Chihuahua, located in North Mexico. Ciudad Madera sees a few inches of snow each year.
May is known as the hottest month in Mexico, especially if you’re visiting the Mexico beach towns.
Average temperatures in Mexico in May hover around 90°F (32°C) on the beaches, but the average max temp can feel a several degrees hotter because of the humidity.
Is it sunny in Mexico in May?
Yes — It tends to be sunny in Mexico year-round, even in the Fall season.
Since May is still in the rainy season in Mexico, the sun will come and go, depending on if there’s a storm or not.
Do know that even if storms, cloud cover and rainfall rolls in, the sun often comes back in an hour.
What is the average temperature in Mexico in May?
Wondering, Is Mexico hot in May? Yes — The average weather in Mexico in May is hot, humid and rainy for most of the month.
If you’re visiting Mexico City and/or Central Mexico, the temperatures cool down considerably at night, but this is not the case on Mexican beaches.
For Mexico beaches, you can expect 95°F days (35°C) and 85°F nights (29°C). With the humidity factored in, it might even feel hotter.
Inland, the cities of Mexico are considerably cooler, so plan for 80°F days (26°C) and 65°F nights (18°C).
If you’re debating on when to visit, know it’s usually much hotter in May compared to April, and more rainy. When comparing Mexican weather in May and June, the temperatures are similar, but Hurricane Season begins in June, on June 1st.
When is Mexico Hurricane Season?
Mexico has about 5,800 miles (9330 km) of coastline, so there’s a lot of places susceptible to hurricanes.
⛈ Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 to November 30, and with so many popular beach towns, you’ll want to be aware when visiting Mexico beaches in May.
You might now want to know, What’s the weather like in Mexico in May just before Hurricane Season starts?
That depends on if you’re visiting towards the beginning or end of the month. You will have much less of a chance of seeing heavy rains and storms if you visit in early-May.
What are the best beaches in Mexico in May?
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but all beaches in Mexico will have about the same weather in May — hot, humid, rainy, and buggy.
That’s not to say people still don’t visit Mexico in May; they absolutely do. The thing you must do, however, is manage your expectations.
This is a matter of preference, but I think the best place to go in Mexico in May, as far as the Mexico beaches are concerned, is the Baja California Peninsula located on Mexico’s west coast.
Baja Mexico has two states, Baja California and Baja California Sur, and some of the best beaches in Mexico. Besides Cabo San Lucas, some other great Baja beach towns include La Paz, Todos Santos, Loreto, Ensenada, Rosarito and more.
Compared to the Pacific Coast beaches (Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita), Caribbean beaches (Cancun, Riviera Maya, Tulum and Playa del Carmen) and Yucatan beaches (Progreso, El Cuyo) — the beaches in Baja California are a lot cooler at night, and less humid during the day.
Should I go to Mexico in May?
It Depends — As long as you know you will likely get rain, maybe even daily showers, your Mexico May trip won’t be ruined.
If you want a yes/no answer to Is May a good time to visit Mexico?, it is a great time for Mexico budget travel, as May is an off-season month.
Can you go to Mexico in May?
Yes — For Mexico budget travelers, it’s actually one of the best times to visit, because May is the off-season, or slow season, when you can find cheap Mexico travel deals.
If you’ve had your eye on any posh, 5 Star Mexico resorts, you should find great promotions in May.
Are there any major Mexico holidays in May?
Yes — There’s Mother’s Day on May 10, Cinco de Mayo (AKA Batalla de Puebla, or Battle of Puebla) on May 5, and Labor Day (AKA May Day) on May 1.
If you’re visiting Mexico on May 1, know that some businesses will be closed in honor of Labor Day.
As in other countries, Mother’s Day is a relaxed holiday, where many take their mother out to a nice lunch.
Cinco de Mayo is an important, historic holiday, but only celebrated in the city of Puebla de Zaragoza (Puebla City), to commemorate the Battle of Puebla.
Mexico festivals in May
There are a few festivals in Mexico in May, and all the bigger ones take place in Jalisco State.
The Festival Cultural de Mayo (May Cultural Festival) is a month-long music, art and food festival in Guadalajara, and there’s also Restaurant Week in Puerto Vallarta at the end of the month.
If you’ve been wondering where to go to Mexico in May, Jalisco State makes a nice option!
You can enjoy the festivals there, as well as all the other holidays like Día de las Madres México (Mothers Day Mexico, or Dia de las Madres en Mexico).
Are there mosquitoes in Mexico in May?
Yes — The mosquitoes are at their worst in the Mexico rainy season and hot months, like May.
You’ll want to pack insect repellent and wear it all day.
I recommend this eco-friendly mosquito spray from Repel, or this combo reef-safe sunscreen/mosquito repellent from Bullfrog.
Final Thoughts: Traveling to Mexico in May
If you’re going to Mexico in May, just be prepared for some afternoon showers and higher temperatures, and you’ll do just fine.
The great thing about May Mexico weather is that though you’ll have rain, the storms tend to pass quickly, and the sun comes back out.
🇲🇽 What’s the best place to visit in Mexico in May? In my opinion, the cities in Central Mexico are great options, like Mexico City and Guanajuato City, an off the beaten path hidden gem! If you’re visiting the beaches, just plan to swim a lot to escape the heat.
Another one of the best things about the off-season in Mexico is that you’ll likely have smaller crowds, since it’s the slow season.
Mexico in May weather is definitely hot, but if you plan to be indoors in the afternoon, or in the water swimming, the weather won’t bother you too much.
If Mexico in May isn’t for you…
After reading this, you might not want to visit Mexico in May after all.
If so, check out the articles linked below about visiting Mexico during other months of the year to determine the best place to go in Mexico for you.
