Cancun In May: What You Need to Know 2024
Wondering if you should visit beautiful, sunny Cancun in May?
Despite May falling into the rainy season, it is a fantastic time to visit. And you will likely experience pleasant weather and sunny skies when you visit Cancun.
It is normal to wonder about the best time to plan a vacation, especially when taking a trip to Mexico. And as one of the safest places in Mexico, Cancun is a top destination.
Below, I will cover why May might be the perfect time to visit Cancun, Mexico. Here, you will find out about the great weather, the average rainfall, and the average temperature in Cancun in May.
Besides Cancun weather, you’ll learn what to pack and the best activities and adventures.
Want to learn more about the best time to visit Mexico? Let’s get started!
Is May a Good Time to Visit Cancun?
Vacationing in Cancun in May will still provide you with sunny Cancun weather, the opportunity to plan some beach parties, and a chance to go snorkeling in the warm waters.
When snorkeling, you might get a view of sea turtles and colorful fish. You can also plan visits to see whale sharks or swim with dolphins!
Generally, springtime is the best season to plan an excursion to encounter whale sharks. In fact, whale shark season begins in May near Cancun! You can also enjoy seeing the jungles when visiting Cancun during your spring break.
You will love the uncrowded, sandy beaches and low tourist traffic during the shoulder season. Fun attractions won’t get crowded.
The travel rates are fair for lodging and airfare tickets in May, perfect for budget travelers!
The peak season hits in the winter and early spring, so you’ll avoid the crowds when visiting Cancun in May.
The average temperature in the spring is also mild. Further, the average rainfall reaches at least 3.5 inches in May and appears about seven days that month.
Even though May is the start of the rainy season in Cancun, you will bypass the hurricane season typically seen in September and October.
Who Should Visit Cancun in May?
Do you love the idea of hot Cancun weather and warm waters? Then you should visit Cancun in May.
The shoulder season provides a great time to observe dolphins, fish, whale sharks, and other wildlife, so animal lovers would benefit from visiting Cancun.
Further, people who prefer fewer crowds and seek a more budget-friendly vacation during spring break should take a trip to Mexico in May. Generally, the best time to visit Mexico is after the busy season and before the hurricane season.
The most popular attractions in Cancun on spring break won’t have many crowds in May.
Cancun weather in May gets more humid by the end of the month, so those who don’t mind humidity and heat will enjoy the trip more than others.
If you love swimming and sunbathing, you will also have a great time in nearby Playa del Carmen and other Mexican cities on the Yucatan peninsula.
When visiting Cancun, you’ll love visiting festivals and other popular attractions like the Mayan ruins while you enjoy the warm temperatures.
Also, the location is outstanding if you want to relax at a beach or pursue sightseeing tours.
Cancun Weather in May
| Average Temperatures | Average Rainfall | Average Humidity | |
| Highest Average in May | 90 °F | 4.6 inches | 83% |
| Lowest Average in May | 75 °F | 3.5 inches | 71% |
Cancun weather and the temperatures, just like the nearby city Playa del Carmen, can reach hot temperatures ranging from 91 to 102 °F throughout May.
Yet, during the early mornings, late afternoons, and evenings, the temperatures can get as chilly as 64 to 73 °F. Generally, you can expect warm, sunny days averaging 75 to 90 °F in May.
The humidity gets relatively high that month, and you can expect an average of about four to seven rainy days in May. The month also has about three to four inches of rainfall.
You’ll see rain showers that last only a matter of minutes. The Cancun weather often displays heavy downpours, but the sun evaporates much of the water in less than an hour.
Yet, the Cancun weather is better in May than during the hurricane season, as you’ll avoid strong winds, flooding, and tropical storms with days of rain.
Overall, the May weather is pretty great if you’re seeking a warmer climate when you visit Cancun.
What Clothing to Pack
Now, let’s talk about what to pack for your vacation! (If you are looking for a complete list of what to bring to Mexico, here you go).
For your trip to Cancun in May, you’ll want to pack at least two bathing suits in case one needs to dry off or gets ripped accidentally.
Further, you’ll need to bring plenty of shorts, t-shirts, sneakers, and flip-flops to take to the beach.
Cancun weather gets slightly chillier in the evenings, so you’ll want to pack a light jacket when heading out to a restaurant for dinner.
A few other options you’ll want to pack when planning to visit Cancun include:
- Sundresses
- Hats and sunglasses
- Beach cover-ups
- Longer pants and nice shoes for nighttime
- A microfiber travel towel and self-filtering water bottles
- Portable chargers for your devices
- Sunscreen, hand sanitizer, and bug spray
- An underwater camera to take photos of sea turtles and wildlife
- Water shoes for the beach
- Aloe gel to keep your skin healthy on sunny days
Things to Do in Cancun
Now you know spring is the best time to visit the city of Cancun due to the warm Cancun weather. Hooray! So I am going to dive into all the things to do when you visit Cancun.
For example, you’ll love checking out the sea turtles and going whale watching. You may even get a view of beautiful whale sharks.
Top Outdoor Excursions for May
When picking the right time to visit Cancun, you’ll want to bypass hurricane season and choose the month of May for a few incredible outdoor excursions.
Go Snorkeling with Sea Turtles
Check out an awesome tour like this one to get a unique opportunity to swim in and explore an actual cenote. Afterward, you get to head to Akumal Beach, which is home to many sea turtles!
Ancient cenotes found in Mexico are limestone sinkholes that are fantastic for swimming. You’ll have a blast exploring the caverns and rock formations.
Snorkeling with the sea turtles at Akumal Beach is such an unforgettable experience. Sometimes finding the amazing sinkholes and the best snorkeling spots in Mexico is difficult without a guide or a local’s help.
That’s why I strongly recommend the Hidden Cenote/Snorkeling with Sea Turtles Tour, which includes free lunch, snacks, bottled water, and the use of snorkeling equipment.
You can even arrange for a free pickup/dropoff from your hotel in Cancun!
Swim with Whale Sharks
Cancun’s whale-shark encounter tour is a must if you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with some of the planet’s most majestic underwater creatures.
Experience swimming and snorkeling near whale sharks in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean, only moments away from glamorous yet laidback Cancun!
The best season in Cancun to see whale sharks falls in March, April, and May. The highest number of these glorious animals travel to the region during that time.
Keep an eye out for turtles, dolphins, and majestic manta rays too. You never know what hidden gems may emerge from beneath the surface of Cancun’s warm waters.
And if you want to capture your experience forever, you have the opportunity to purchase videos and photos taken by your tour guide during your amazing excursion.
Plus, hotel transport, breakfast, and snacks are all included in your tour package, so you can just focus on making memories that will last a lifetime!
However, keep in mind that this tour is seasonal and is only offered from May to September.
You can always reserve your spot now and pay later!
Go on a Crystal Caves Tour
Enjoy a day trip from Cancun to the Rio Secreto Nature Reserve!
Swimming through an underground river inside an ancient cave, illuminated by gorgeous crystal formations above its turquoise waters, is an absolutely amazing experience.
Plus, this tour includes all necessary equipment, including a wet suit, hard hat, water shoes, and life vest.
Moreover, this package also includes lunch! Making it a great value-for-money deal.
This tour is great for adventurers looking to explore one of nature’s hidden gems. You also have the option to upgrade your experience to include Tulum’s iconic ancient ruins, as well as Cancun hotel pickup/dropoff.
Spend a Day at Xplor Adventure Park
Looking for an adventure during your trip to Cancun in May? You have to check out Xplor Adventure Park! This fantastic, highly-rated tour includes a full-day admission ticket and an unbeatable experience.
You’ll fly over the jungle canopy on multiple ziplines and take a thrilling drop into caverns or a natural sinkhole!
Explore stunning ancient rock formations while rafting or swimming through underground rivers. And steer an all-terrain amphibious vehicle through the jungle, on bridges, and into caves.
The tour includes a free all-you-can-eat buffet lunch featuring healthy foods. Plus, they even include pickup and drop-off from most Cancun hotels, so you don’t have to worry about extra expenses.
There are also many exciting day trips you can take to the gorgeous, unique islands near Cancun, such as Isla Mujeres, Isla Holbox, and Cozumel.
Taking day trips to these beautiful islands is one of my favorite activities when traveling the Yucatan peninsula. It is best to travel during the low season with fewer tourists and crowds than in the high season.
Spring breakers tend to flock to Cancun during the popular time of April and March.
So you will enjoy some great deals at some of the best places when you visit Cancun in May and avoid the majority of the spring break crowd.
To enjoy the outdoors, spring is a beautiful time to visit Cancun. Here, you can enjoy a wide variety of exciting outdoor activities.
Awesome May Events in Cancun
So, why is May one of the best months to visit Cancun? Some fantastic and unique Cancun festivals and events fall in May!
In particular, the Inception Music Festival and the spring equinox at Chichen Itza are a few of the most popular Cancun events celebrated in May.
The Inception Music Festival
If you’re going to Cancun for spring break, the Inception Music Festival is an event you cannot miss. The festival lasts 30 days!
Furthermore, it is the most significant event available for spring breakers worldwide.
The incredible experience features live music by numerous famous singers and performers, along with the best DJs in the area.
Over an entire month, the party doesn’t end, and travelers can keep dancing the night away for their whole stay.
Whether you’re a tourist looking for a fun and exciting festival or a music lover who loves music performances, the Inception Music Festival is the place to be.
Spring Equinox at Chichen Itza
The Chichen Itza pyramid looks like a creeping snake moving on the northern staircase during the spring equinox.
The fascinating mirage occurs during the late afternoon when the sun creates the image on both the spring and fall equinoxes.
If you want to see the incredible optical illusion, pick the spring equinox as your time to visit Cancun.
Other Festivals and Parties in Cancun in 2023
These are a few of the most popular events in Mexico during May:
On May 6, 2023, you can check out the PULSO GNP 2023 festival in Querétaro, Mexico. That festival features incredible musicians and performers from Mexico and worldwide.
If you love rock and pop music, you don’t want to miss the PULSO GNP 2023 music festival.
At the end of May 2023, you can also attend the Cancun Jumpoff 2023, which consists of numerous performances, NBA watch parties, reggae music, DJ dance parties, and more.
NOTE: You may be wondering why I have not included Cinco de Mayo in this spectacular list of events. And you deserve an explanation.
Cancun does not have many big celebratory festivals for Cinco de Mayo the way the U.S. does. It has become more celebrated with tacos, tamales, and margaritas in the U.S. than it is in Mexico.
Luckily there are so many great events happening in Cancun during the month of May that I have listed above, so you still have tons of exciting things to do!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some answers to a few of the most common questions about traveling to Cancun, Mexico, in May.
Is Cancun too hot in May?
Generally, it does not get too hot in May. If you can handle the average highest temperature of 90 °F, you shouldn’t worry. However, the high humidity may feel irritating at times.
You’ll also want to remember that it gets cooler in the evenings. Pack a light sweater since it can reach temperatures as low as 63 °F.
Is May a rainy season in Cancun?
Cancun’s rainy season starts in May. It lasts until September, which is when the hurricane season begins.
However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider visiting Cancun that month. Generally, the rain lasts only for short and intense periods.
You might see heavy rain, but it’ll last only 5 or 10 minutes. Otherwise, you’ll enjoy the sunshine.
Can you swim in Cancun in May?
Is May the best time to visit Cancun? It is if you like swimming in the ocean!
The water is perfectly warm in May, and you’ll also love lounging around the beaches. The ocean water temperature hits an average of 82 °F that month. You can even go for a swim with dolphins!
Final Thoughts
Traveling to Cancun in May will give you a chance to attend beach parties and enjoy the sunshine.
Here, you can go on whale-watching tours, check out the sea turtles on an excursion, and even swim with dolphins.
You can also check out the marketplace and street art in the downtown area. Further, you can sign up for tours of the Mayan ruins and nearby jungles.
Also, the right time to visit Cancun might be May due to the famous festivals that take place. The weather in May gets hot, so pack plenty of summer clothing, sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses.
Most of all, I enjoy taking it easy at the beach. Stroll on the sandy beaches and swim in the warm, aquamarine waters.
May is a great time to visit Cancun. You will have a fantastic time in good weather and enjoy events and activities that you can only find during that perfect time of year.
