Punta del Este in May

In May, Punta del Este averages 18°C (64°F) during the day and 11°C (52°F) at night, with around 8 days of rain (90 mm total).

High season

Conditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

May is a great month to visit Punta del Este: pleasant temperatures and relatively few wet days.

18°C
Avg high
11°C
Avg low
8
Rain days
90 mm
Rainfall

How May compares to the rest of the year in Punta del Este

8th
warmest month of the 12
5th
wettest month of the 12
9%
of yearly rainfall falls in May
10 h 18 min
daylight on the 15th

May is in the middle of the year for warmth in Punta del Este (8th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (5th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 3°C below the annual average (21°C). May runs 4°C cooler than April (22°C) and cools 3°C in June (15°C).

May sunrise & sunset in Punta del Este

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:27 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:45 PM
Day length
10 h 18 min

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

Photography light in Punta del Este — May

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:27 AM – 7:07 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
7:07 AM – 8:07 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:05 PM – 6:05 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:05 PM – 6:45 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 — Punta del Este 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 (High season) and Punta del Este's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
2-3 months
Prices are above off-season but not the absolute peak. Tuesday/Wednesday departures are usually cheaper than weekend ones.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
2-3 months
Wide selection still available at this lead time. Premium properties book first; consider 'last-minute deal' availability at 2-week mark if your dates are flexible.

Crowds & pricing — May in Punta del Este

High season

This is a busy month in Punta del Este — not the absolute peak, but tourist numbers are clearly elevated. You'll feel it at headline attractions on weekends and in the historic centre, though side streets and lesser-known sights stay manageable. Prices are above off-season but not at their summit. A good week for first-time visitors who want everything open without the worst of the crush.

Why this tier: excellent tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — May in Punta del Este

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
6.5
High
Cover up and apply SPF 30+ for any outdoor activity longer than 30 minutes.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●○○○
Low
Mosquitoes present but manageable. Pack repellent (DEET 10-20%) for evenings near water.

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.

Punta del Este in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 28°C / 82°F 18°C / 64°F 80 mm 7 0
February 28°C / 82°F 18°C / 64°F 75 mm 7 0
March 26°C / 79°F 17°C / 63°F 90 mm 8 0
April 22°C / 72°F 14°C / 57°F 100 mm 8 0
May 18°C / 64°F 11°C / 52°F 90 mm 8 0
June 15°C / 59°F 8°C / 46°F 80 mm 8 0
July 14°C / 57°F 7°C / 45°F 75 mm 8 0
August 16°C / 61°F 8°C / 46°F 80 mm 8 0
September 17°C / 63°F 10°C / 50°F 90 mm 9 0
October 20°C / 68°F 12°C / 54°F 90 mm 9 0
November 23°C / 73°F 14°C / 57°F 90 mm 8 0
December 26°C / 79°F 16°C / 61°F 80 mm 7 0

Other cities with similar May weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Punta del Este in May →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Punta del Este in May?

In May, Punta del Este averages a high of 18°C (64°F) and a low of 11°C (52°F) — generally mild and pleasant.

Does it rain a lot in Punta del Este in May?

May sees occasional rain in Punta del Este, with about 8 rainy days on average.

Is May a good time to visit Punta del Este?

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

What should I pack for Punta del Este in May?

Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings. See the full May packing list for Punta del Este for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Punta del Este on the interactive map

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