Maputo in May

In May, Maputo averages 26°C (80°F) during the day and 18°C (64°F) at night, with around 10 days of rain (33 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are warm and beach-friendly. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.

May offers comfortable temperatures in Maputo, with some rain to plan around.

26°C
Avg high
18°C
Avg low
10
Rain days
33 mm
Rainfall

How May compares to the rest of the year in Maputo

9th
warmest month of the 12
8th
wettest month of the 12
5%
of yearly rainfall falls in May
10 h 52 min
daylight on the 15th

May is in the middle of the year for warmth in Maputo (9th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (8th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C below the annual average (28°C). May runs 1°C cooler than April (28°C) and cools 1°C in June (25°C).

May sunrise & sunset in Maputo

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:20 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:11 PM
Day length
10 h 52 min

Times shown for Maputo local time (Africa/Maputo), calculated for the 15th of May. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Maputo — May

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of May, in Maputo's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:20 AM – 6:00 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:00 AM – 7:00 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
4:31 PM – 5:31 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
5:31 PM – 6:11 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Good
Galactic core is up but lower on the horizon; head well outside city limits for a clean view.

📅 When to book — Maputo in May

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on May's tier (Shoulder) and Maputo's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.

Crowds & pricing — May in Maputo

Shoulder

Maputo is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Why this tier: comfortable tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — May in Maputo

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
8.3
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●●●
Severe
Severe mosquito season with active disease transmission risk. DEET 30%+, picaridin 20%, long sleeves day and night, treated nets, and check CDC/WHO travel advisories before going.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Maputo in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 29°C / 85°F 23°C / 73°F 115 mm 22
February 29°C / 85°F 23°C / 73°F 135 mm 19
March 29°C / 85°F 22°C / 72°F 73 mm 19
April 28°C / 82°F 20°C / 68°F 49 mm 15
May 26°C / 80°F 18°C / 64°F 33 mm 10
June 25°C / 77°F 16°C / 60°F 12 mm 7
July 25°C / 76°F 15°C / 59°F 13 mm 8
August 26°C / 79°F 16°C / 61°F 13 mm 8
September 27°C / 81°F 18°C / 65°F 32 mm 10
October 27°C / 81°F 19°C / 66°F 62 mm 15
November 29°C / 83°F 21°C / 69°F 50 mm 16
December 29°C / 85°F 22°C / 72°F 122 mm 18

Other cities with similar May weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Maputo in May →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Maputo in May?

In May, Maputo averages a high of 26°C (80°F) and a low of 18°C (64°F) — generally warm.

Does it rain a lot in Maputo in May?

May can be fairly wet in Maputo, with about 10 rainy days on average.

Is May a good time to visit Maputo?

May is warm. It suits travelers who are comfortable with warm weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Maputo in May?

Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full May packing list for Maputo for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Maputo on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.