Tulum in May

In May, Tulum averages 33°C (91°F) during the day and 24°C (75°F) at night, with around 9 days of rain (140 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are very hot — early-morning and evening sightseeing recommended. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

May in Tulum 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.).

33°C
Avg high
24°C
Avg low
9
Rain days
140 mm
Rainfall

How May compares to the rest of the year in Tulum

1st
warmest month of the 12
6th
wettest month of the 12
10%
of yearly rainfall falls in May
13 h 5 min
daylight on the 15th

May is one of the warmest months in Tulum (1st of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (6th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 3°C above the annual average (31°C). May runs 1°C warmer than April (32°C) and cools 1°C in June (32°C).

May sunrise & sunset in Tulum

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:13 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
7:19 PM
Day length
13 h 5 min

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

Photography light in Tulum — May

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:13 AM – 5:53 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
5:53 AM – 6:53 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:39 PM – 7:39 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:39 PM – 8:19 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 — Tulum 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 Tulum'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 Tulum

Shoulder

Tulum 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 Tulum

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
13
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●●○
High
Peak mosquito activity. DEET 30%+, long sleeves at dawn/dusk, sleep under nets if rural.

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 Tulum — May

29°C (84°F)
bath-warm
tropical and comfortable for hours

Across the year Tulum's sea swings from 26.7°C (February) to 30.7°C (August) — May sits at 29°C.

Tulum in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 28°C / 82°F 21°C / 70°F 80 mm 8 0
February 29°C / 84°F 21°C / 70°F 55 mm 5 0
March 30°C / 86°F 22°C / 72°F 50 mm 5 0
April 32°C / 90°F 23°C / 73°F 50 mm 5 0
May 33°C / 91°F 24°C / 75°F 140 mm 9 0
June 32°C / 90°F 24°C / 75°F 180 mm 12 0
July 32°C / 90°F 24°C / 75°F 140 mm 11 0
August 32°C / 90°F 24°C / 75°F 165 mm 11 0
September 31°C / 88°F 24°C / 75°F 205 mm 14 0
October 30°C / 86°F 23°C / 73°F 180 mm 13 0
November 29°C / 84°F 22°C / 72°F 90 mm 9 0
December 28°C / 82°F 21°C / 70°F 75 mm 7 0

Other cities with similar May weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Tulum in May?

In May, Tulum averages a high of 33°C (91°F) and a low of 24°C (75°F) — generally hot.

Does it rain a lot in Tulum in May?

May sees occasional rain in Tulum, with about 9 rainy days on average.

Is May a good time to visit Tulum?

May is hot. 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 Tulum in May?

Pack lightweight, breathable clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen. See the full May packing list for Tulum for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Tulum on the interactive map

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