San Salvador in May

In May, San Salvador averages 29°C (83°F) during the day and 21°C (70°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 29 days of the month see precipitation (230 mm total).

Shoulder

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

May offers comfortable temperatures in San Salvador, with some rain to plan around.

29°C
Avg high
21°C
Avg low
29
Rain days
230 mm
Rainfall

How May compares to the rest of the year in San Salvador

7th
warmest month of the 12
2nd
wettest month of the 12
15%
of yearly rainfall falls in May
12 h 46 min
daylight on the 15th

May is in the middle of the year for warmth in San Salvador (7th of 12) and one of the wettest months (2nd of 12). Daytime temperature matches the city's annual average. May runs 2°C cooler than April (31°C) and cools 1°C in June (28°C).

May sunrise & sunset in San Salvador

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
5:30 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:16 PM
Day length
12 h 46 min

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

Photography light in San Salvador — May

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
4:30 AM – 5:10 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
5:10 AM – 6:10 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:36 PM – 6:36 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:36 PM – 7:16 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 Salvador 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 San Salvador'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 San Salvador

Shoulder

San Salvador 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 San Salvador

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
12.9
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.

San Salvador in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 30°C / 86°F 19°C / 66°F 5 mm 8
February 31°C / 88°F 19°C / 67°F 5 mm 6
March 31°C / 88°F 20°C / 69°F 17 mm 13
April 31°C / 87°F 21°C / 70°F 66 mm 22
May 29°C / 83°F 21°C / 70°F 230 mm 29
June 28°C / 82°F 21°C / 70°F 246 mm 28
July 29°C / 85°F 21°C / 70°F 156 mm 28
August 28°C / 83°F 21°C / 70°F 236 mm 29
September 27°C / 81°F 21°C / 69°F 287 mm 30
October 27°C / 81°F 20°C / 69°F 251 mm 29
November 28°C / 83°F 20°C / 68°F 76 mm 19
December 30°C / 85°F 19°C / 67°F 10 mm 10

Other cities with similar May weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is San Salvador in May?

In May, San Salvador averages a high of 29°C (83°F) and a low of 21°C (70°F) — generally warm.

Does it rain a lot in San Salvador in May?

May is quite rainy in San Salvador, with about 29 rainy days on average.

Is May a good time to visit San Salvador?

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

What should I pack for San Salvador in May?

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

Open San Salvador on the interactive map

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