Panama City in May

In May, Panama City averages 30°C (85°F) during the day and 25°C (77°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 31 days of the month see precipitation (266 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are warm and beach-friendly. Expect daily rain or showers, often in heavy bursts.

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

30°C
Avg high
25°C
Avg low
31
Rain days
266 mm
Rainfall

How May compares to the rest of the year in Panama City

5th
warmest month of the 12
1st
wettest month of the 12
11%
of yearly rainfall falls in May
12 h 32 min
daylight on the 15th

May is in the middle of the year for warmth in Panama City (5th of 12) and one of the wettest months (1st of 12). Daytime temperature matches the city's annual average. May runs 2°C cooler than April (31°C) and stays flat into June.

May sunrise & sunset in Panama City

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
5:58 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:30 PM
Day length
12 h 32 min

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

Photography light in Panama City — May

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
4:58 AM – 5:38 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
5:38 AM – 6:38 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:50 PM – 6:50 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:50 PM – 7:30 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 — Panama City 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 Panama City'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 Panama City

Shoulder

Panama City 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.

Sun & mosquito risk — May in Panama City

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
12.7
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 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.

Sea temperature in Panama City — May

29.9°C (86°F)
bath-warm
tropical and comfortable for hours

Across the year Panama City's sea swings from 27°C (February) to 30.2°C (June) — May sits at 29.9°C.

Panama City in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 30°C / 86°F 24°C / 75°F 30 mm 20
February 31°C / 88°F 24°C / 75°F 11 mm 15
March 32°C / 89°F 24°C / 76°F 26 mm 18
April 31°C / 88°F 25°C / 76°F 107 mm 25
May 30°C / 85°F 25°C / 77°F 266 mm 31
June 29°C / 85°F 25°C / 76°F 286 mm 30
July 29°C / 85°F 24°C / 76°F 328 mm 31
August 29°C / 84°F 24°C / 76°F 289 mm 31
September 29°C / 84°F 24°C / 76°F 303 mm 30
October 29°C / 83°F 24°C / 76°F 303 mm 31
November 29°C / 83°F 24°C / 75°F 313 mm 30
December 30°C / 85°F 24°C / 76°F 93 mm 25

Other cities with similar May weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Panama City in May?

In May, Panama City averages a high of 30°C (85°F) and a low of 25°C (77°F) — generally hot.

Does it rain a lot in Panama City in May?

May is quite rainy in Panama City, with about 31 rainy days on average.

Is May a good time to visit Panama City?

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

What should I pack for Panama City in May?

Pack lightweight, breathable clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full May packing list for Panama City for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Panama City on the interactive map

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