San Pedro de Atacama in May

In May, San Pedro de Atacama averages 22°C (72°F) during the day and 0°C (32°F) at night, with only about 0 rainy days.

High season

Conditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Skies are generally dry and clear.

May is a great month to visit San Pedro de Atacama: pleasant temperatures and relatively few wet days.

22°C
Avg high
0°C
Avg low
0
Rain days
0 mm
Rainfall

How May compares to the rest of the year in San Pedro de Atacama

8th
warmest month of the 12
8th
wettest month of the 12
0%
of yearly rainfall falls in May
11 h 1 min
daylight on the 15th

May is in the middle of the year for warmth in San Pedro de Atacama (8th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (8th of 12). Daytime temperature matches the city's annual average. May runs roughly the same as April (22°C) and cools 1°C in June (21°C).

May sunrise & sunset in San Pedro de Atacama

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:58 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:59 PM
Day length
11 h 1 min

Times shown for San Pedro de Atacama local time (America/Santiago), calculated for the 15th of May. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in San Pedro de Atacama — May

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:58 AM – 6:38 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:38 AM – 7:38 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:19 PM – 6:19 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:19 PM – 6:59 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 — San Pedro de Atacama 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 San Pedro de Atacama'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 San Pedro de Atacama

High season

This is a busy month in San Pedro de Atacama — 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 San Pedro de Atacama

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
8.8
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.

San Pedro de Atacama in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 23°C / 73°F 8°C / 46°F 15 mm 3 0
February 23°C / 73°F 8°C / 46°F 15 mm 3 0
March 22°C / 72°F 7°C / 45°F 5 mm 1 0
April 22°C / 72°F 3°C / 37°F 1 mm 0 0
May 22°C / 72°F 0°C / 32°F 0 mm 0 0
June 21°C / 70°F -2°C / 28°F 0 mm 0 0
July 20°C / 68°F -3°C / 27°F 0 mm 0 0
August 21°C / 70°F -2°C / 28°F 1 mm 0 0
September 22°C / 72°F 1°C / 34°F 1 mm 0 0
October 23°C / 73°F 4°C / 39°F 5 mm 1 0
November 24°C / 75°F 6°C / 43°F 5 mm 1 0
December 24°C / 75°F 7°C / 45°F 15 mm 3 0

Other cities with similar May weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for San Pedro de Atacama in May →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is San Pedro de Atacama in May?

In May, San Pedro de Atacama averages a high of 22°C (72°F) and a low of 0°C (32°F) — generally mild and pleasant.

Does it rain a lot in San Pedro de Atacama in May?

May is generally dry in San Pedro de Atacama, with about 0 rainy days on average.

Is May a good time to visit San Pedro de Atacama?

May is mild and pleasant and mostly dry. 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 San Pedro de Atacama in May?

Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings. See the full May packing list for San Pedro de Atacama for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open San Pedro de Atacama on the interactive map

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