Punta del Este in May
In May, Punta del Este averages 18°C (64°F) during the day and 13°C (55°F) at night, with around 9 days of rain (78 mm total).
ShoulderConditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.
May in Punta del Este is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).
How May compares to the rest of the year in Punta del Este
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 (6th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 2°C below the annual average (20°C). May runs 4°C cooler than April (21°C) and cools 3°C in June (15°C).
May sunrise & sunset in Punta del Este
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).
📅 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 (Shoulder) and Punta del Este's popularity.
Crowds & pricing — May in Punta del Este
Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este
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 Punta del Este — May
Across the year Punta del Este's sea swings from 12°C (July) to 23.3°C (March) — May sits at 16.9°C.
Punta del Este in other months
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days | Snow days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°C / 79°F | 20°C / 67°F | 120 mm | 8 | — |
| February | 26°C / 78°F | 20°C / 67°F | 102 mm | 10 | — |
| March | 24°C / 75°F | 18°C / 65°F | 90 mm | 10 | — |
| April | 21°C / 70°F | 16°C / 61°F | 109 mm | 10 | — |
| May | 18°C / 64°F | 13°C / 55°F | 78 mm | 9 | — |
| June | 15°C / 59°F | 10°C / 50°F | 82 mm | 8 | — |
| July | 15°C / 58°F | 9°C / 49°F | 118 mm | 11 | — |
| August | 16°C / 60°F | 10°C / 49°F | 104 mm | 8 | — |
| September | 17°C / 62°F | 11°C / 51°F | 79 mm | 8 | — |
| October | 19°C / 65°F | 13°C / 55°F | 88 mm | 10 | — |
| November | 22°C / 71°F | 15°C / 59°F | 79 mm | 8 | — |
| December | 24°C / 76°F | 17°C / 63°F | 83 mm | 9 | — |
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 13°C (55°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 9 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.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.