São Luís in May

In May, São Luís averages 30°C (85°F) during the day and 24°C (76°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 31 days of the month see precipitation (249 mm total).

Shoulder

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

May offers comfortable temperatures in São Luís, with some rain to plan around.

30°C
Avg high
24°C
Avg low
31
Rain days
249 mm
Rainfall

How May compares to the rest of the year in São Luís

8th
warmest month of the 12
2nd
wettest month of the 12
12%
of yearly rainfall falls in May
12 h 0 min
daylight on the 15th

May is in the middle of the year for warmth in São Luís (8th of 12) and one of the wettest months (2nd of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C below the annual average (30°C). May runs roughly the same as April (29°C) and stays flat into June.

May sunrise & sunset in São Luís

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
5:53 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:53 PM
Day length
12 h 0 min

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

Photography light in São Luís — May

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
4:53 AM – 5:33 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
5:33 AM – 6:33 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:13 PM – 6:13 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:13 PM – 6:53 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 — São Luís 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 São Luís'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 São Luís

Shoulder

São Luís 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 São Luís

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
11.8
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.

São Luís in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 30°C / 85°F 25°C / 76°F 238 mm 30
February 29°C / 84°F 24°C / 76°F 327 mm 28
March 29°C / 84°F 24°C / 75°F 473 mm 31
April 29°C / 85°F 24°C / 76°F 370 mm 30
May 30°C / 85°F 24°C / 76°F 249 mm 31
June 30°C / 85°F 24°C / 76°F 126 mm 29
July 30°C / 86°F 24°C / 76°F 74 mm 29
August 31°C / 88°F 25°C / 77°F 39 mm 27
September 32°C / 89°F 25°C / 78°F 29 mm 25
October 32°C / 89°F 26°C / 78°F 33 mm 23
November 32°C / 89°F 26°C / 78°F 73 mm 22
December 31°C / 88°F 26°C / 78°F 117 mm 26

Other cities with similar May weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is São Luís in May?

In May, São Luís averages a high of 30°C (85°F) and a low of 24°C (76°F) — generally hot.

Does it rain a lot in São Luís in May?

May is quite rainy in São Luís, with about 31 rainy days on average.

Is May a good time to visit São Luís?

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

What should I pack for São Luís in May?

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

Open São Luís on the interactive map

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