01Weather
Cancún weather in May
Afternoons in May average 31.1 °C (88 °F) and nights cool to 24.9 °C (77 °F). Compared with April it is 1.1 °C warmer; June is 0.1 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical May | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 33 °C / 91 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 30 °C / 85 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 21 °C / 70 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 27.3 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Hottest / coldest May day 2016–2025 | 39.0 °C / 16.0 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May | 06:16 | 19:12 | 12.9 h |
| 15 May | 06:09 | 19:18 | 13.1 h |
| 31 May | 06:05 | 19:24 | 13.3 h |
Daylight grows by about 24 minutes over the month. Times are local (America/Cancun).
03Crowds
How busy Cancún is in May
moderate The main sights are moderate in May. What drives it:
- heat builds
- sargassum
- lower rates
04Public holidays
Public holidays in May 2027
No public holidays in Mexico fall in May, so shops and museums keep normal hours all month.
05Events
What's on in Cancún in May
Every year in May
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Whale shark season | June to September, Isla Mujeres and Holbox | nature |
07Packing
What to pack for Cancún in May
- light, breathable clothing
- sun hat and sunscreen
- refillable water bottle
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
- something for heat: 27 days a month pass 30 °C on average
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
May is hot, with afternoons around 32 °C, humidity rising, the first rains late in the month on about ten days and sargassum building on the beaches. Turtle nesting begins on the Hotel Zone beaches, with nests roped off. Hotel rates fall sharply, and it is a good month for diving and cenote swimming if the beach itself is not the priority. The sea is around 28 °C.
Labour Day on 1 May and Cinco de Mayo bring short holidays. The whale shark season off Isla Mujeres opens in late May or June. The Hotel Zone is quiet on weekdays. Daylight passes thirteen hours. For hurricane season's start, the sargassum peak and the whale sharks, see June.
09Compare
Cancún month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27 °C | 20 °C | – | – | very busy | Good |
| February | 28 °C | 21 °C | – | – | very busy | Good |
| March | 29 °C | 22 °C | – | – | very busy | Good |
| April | 30 °C | 23 °C | – | – | busy | Good |
| May | 31 °C | 25 °C | – | – | moderate | Good |
| June | 31 °C | 26 °C | – | – | moderate | Good |
| July | 32 °C | 25 °C | – | – | busy | Good |
| August | 32 °C | 25 °C | – | – | moderate | Good |
| September | 32 °C | 24 °C | – | – | quiet | Good |
| October | 30 °C | 24 °C | – | – | quiet | Good |
| November | 29 °C | 22 °C | – | – | busy | Excellent |
| December | 28 °C | 21 °C | – | – | very busy | Good |
Not sure about May? See the best time to visit Cancún.
10Elsewhere
May in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Miami in May | 31 °C | 9 |
| Orlando in May | 32 °C | 4 |
| New York City in May | 22 °C | 9 |
| Toronto in May | 19 °C | 8 |
| Las Vegas in May | 31 °C | 0 |
| Los Angeles in May | 21 °C | 0 |
11FAQ
Cancún in May: your questions
Is May a good time to visit Cancún?
May is a good month to visit Cancún. Daytime highs average 31 °C (88 °F), and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are moderate.
What is the weather like in Cancún in May?
Expect hot days around 31 °C (88 °F) and nights near 25 °C (77 °F). One May in ten brings afternoons above 33 °C, and one in ten stays below 30 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Cancún in May?
May in Cancún, by the 1991–2020 station normals.
What should I wear in Cancún in May?
Pack light, breathable clothing, sun hat and sunscreen, refillable water bottle.
Is Cancún crowded in May?
The main sights are moderate in May. Main drivers: heat builds; sargassum; lower rates.
What time does it get dark in Cancún in May?
Around the middle of May the sun sets at about 19:18 and rises at 06:09, giving 13.1 hours of daylight.