Weather in Cancun in May

How May compares

May is the 5th warmest month of the year in Cancun and ranks 23rd of 134 destinations we compare for May - see where else is hot in May. Within Mexico it is 5th of 5 (Mexico in May). Against London's average high of 16.6°C in May, Cancun is 12.5°C warmer by day and 17.0°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in May

The typical May day in Cancun peaks at 29.1°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 30.4°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C and 1 in 4 pass 30°C. Nights average 25.3°C; one night in ten drops to 23.8°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest May day here reached 32.2°C (2017-05-24) and the coldest night 19.5°C (2017-05-07).

Rain in May

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 13 days with 1 mm or more, 92 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest May was 1993 with 268 mm, the driest 1995 with 15 mm. Humidity averages 77%, which makes the heat feel heavier than the thermometer suggests.

Sea temperature in May

The sea averages 27.5°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 27.0°C to 27.9°C. For the warmest sea here, come in September (28.9°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 7.2 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 13.0 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:09 and sets about 19:18 local time in mid-May. Average cloud cover is 45%.

Is May a good time to visit Cancun?

It is a reasonable choice: hot days but expect showers. The best months for Cancun on our scoring are April, March, February; months averaging 25°C or more: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Expect heat that lasts into the evening

Cancun in May suits travellers who enjoy being warm throughout the day, rather than those looking for gentle spring temperatures. Every day reaches 25°C in the figures, while 23% reach 30°C. Humidity averages 77%, making shade and cooling breaks sensible parts of your plans, particularly around midday. Pack loose, lightweight clothing and choose accommodation with air conditioning if sleeping in warm conditions bothers you. With average night lows of 25.3°C, evenings offer limited relief from the daytime heat. You can leave the heavy layers at home, but do not count on a cool evening to make a packed daytime schedule feel easier.

Allow for rain without writing off the month

Rain is a genuine drawback in May, with about 13 rainy days, so this is not the month to choose if dry weather is essential to your holiday. Keep outdoor plans flexible and pack a light waterproof that will not feel too heavy in the heat. There is still about 7.2 hours of sunshine a day within 13.0 hours of daylight, which makes May more balanced than the wet verdict alone might suggest. The sensible approach is to leave room to rearrange your day, rather than assume either constant sunshine or a complete washout. Avoid relying on a particular time of day being rain-free.

Warm water is a strong reason to go

The sea is a clear advantage if swimming is central to your holiday. At an average of 27.5°C, with a year-to-year range of 27°C to 28°C, it is warm rather than bracing. That makes May a reasonable choice for travellers who dislike a chilly swim, although sea temperature alone does not guarantee suitable swimming conditions on any given day. Plan some time by the water, but keep shade and somewhere sheltered within your holiday routine. Overall, May works best if warm air and water matter more to you than dry weather, and you are comfortable adjusting plans when rain arrives.