Salta in May

In May, Salta averages 18°C (64°F) during the day and 9°C (48°F) at night, with around 12 days of rain (82 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.

May in Salta 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.).

18°C
Avg high
9°C
Avg low
12
Rain days
82 mm
Rainfall

How May compares to the rest of the year in Salta

10th
warmest month of the 12
7th
wettest month of the 12
5%
of yearly rainfall falls in May
10 h 55 min
daylight on the 15th

May is one of the coolest months in Salta (10th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (7th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 4°C below the annual average (22°C). May runs 3°C cooler than April (21°C) and cools 1°C in June (16°C).

May sunrise & sunset in Salta

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:50 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:45 PM
Day length
10 h 55 min

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

Photography light in Salta — May

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:50 AM – 7:30 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:05 PM – 7:05 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:05 PM – 7:45 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 — Salta 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 Salta'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 Salta

Shoulder

Salta 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 Salta

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
8.5
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 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.

Salta in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 26°C / 79°F 17°C / 62°F 285 mm 21
February 24°C / 75°F 16°C / 61°F 289 mm 22
March 23°C / 73°F 15°C / 58°F 249 mm 22
April 21°C / 69°F 13°C / 55°F 176 mm 18
May 18°C / 64°F 9°C / 48°F 82 mm 12
June 16°C / 61°F 5°C / 42°F 35 mm 5
July 17°C / 63°F 5°C / 41°F 25 mm 5
August 21°C / 69°F 6°C / 43°F 23 mm 4
September 23°C / 73°F 9°C / 48°F 36 mm 7
October 25°C / 76°F 12°C / 54°F 87 mm 12
November 25°C / 77°F 14°C / 57°F 171 mm 16
December 26°C / 78°F 16°C / 60°F 243 mm 21

Other cities with similar May weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Salta in May?

In May, Salta averages a high of 18°C (64°F) and a low of 9°C (48°F) — generally mild and pleasant.

Does it rain a lot in Salta in May?

May can be fairly wet in Salta, with about 12 rainy days on average.

Is May a good time to visit Salta?

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 Salta 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 Salta for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Salta on the interactive map

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