CrowdFreeViews
Christ the Redeemer overlooking Rio de Janeiro, Sugarloaf Mountain and Guanabara Bay

May

Least crowded places to visit in May

Rio de Janeiro is the best of the quiet destinations in May, with low crowds and average highs around 27°C.

Destinations with low or very low crowds and decent weather in the month, ranked by how good the month is overall. Each card shows the real average temperature, crowd level and price level for May, and links to the full May guide for that destination.

By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026

#1 on this list: Rio de Janeiro

  1. Christ the Redeemer overlooking Rio de Janeiro, Sugarloaf Mountain and Guanabara Bay
    1

    Rio de Janeiro

    Brazil
    Temperature
    20–27°C
    Crowds
    Low
    Prices
    $$

    +Best overall balance of weather, crowds and price.

    –Few headline events, and the sea starts to cool.

    Rio de Janeiro in MayAll months
  2. The Puente de la Mujer footbridge and the Puerto Madero skyline in Buenos Aires
    2

    Buenos Aires

    Argentina
    Temperature
    11–19°C
    Crowds
    Low-Moderate
    Prices
    $$

    +Comfortable temperatures and fewer tourists.

    –Cooler evenings and rain.

    Buenos Aires in MayAll months
  3. Two pigs walking on a white-sand beach beside turquoise water in the Bahamas
    3

    Bahamas

    Bahamas
    Temperature
    21–29°C
    Crowds
    Low
    Prices
    $$

    +Warm sea, quiet beaches, lower prices.

    –Rainier, and hurricane season is near.

    Bahamas in MayAll months
  4. Overwater villas on a Maldives lagoon
    4

    Maldives

    Maldives
    Temperature
    27–32°C
    Crowds
    Low
    Prices
    $$

    +The southwest monsoon begins, bringing fewer visitors, softer prices and the start of major manta activity.

    –Rain becomes less predictable and seas can be rougher.

    Maldives in MayAll months
  5. The Sydney Opera House from the Harbour Bridge
    5

    Sydney

    Australia
    Temperature
    12–21°C
    Crowds
    Low
    Prices
    $$

    +Quieter city, attractive hotel rates and Vivid Sydney beginning toward the end of the month.

    –Cooler evenings and shorter days.

    Sydney in MayAll months
  6. A colourful colonial street with balconies in Cartagena's old town
    6

    Cartagena

    Colombia
    Temperature
    26–32°C
    Crowds
    Low
    Prices
    $

    +Low crowds and low prices while conditions are still transitioning.

    –The chance of rain increases as the season turns.

    Cartagena in MayAll months
  7. Cafés lining Hanoi's Train Street under lanterns and flags
    7

    Hanoi

    Vietnam
    Temperature
    25–33°C
    Crowds
    Low
    Prices
    $$

    +Lower-season value improves as visitor demand softens.

    –Rainfall jumps to 242mm and humidity reaches 80%.

    Hanoi in MayAll months
  9. Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head on a sunny day in Honolulu
    9

    Honolulu

    United States
    Temperature
    22–29°C
    Crowds
    Low–Moderate
    Prices
    $$

    +Lei Day on May 1 and calm beaches.

    –Few big events.

    Honolulu in MayAll months
  10. Limestone islands in Phang Nga Bay near Phuket
    10

    Phuket

    Thailand
    Temperature
    26–33°C
    Crowds
    Low
    Prices
    $$

    +Lower rates and fewer visitors as monsoon season starts.

    –Rain and rougher seas become more common.

    Phuket in MayAll months
  11. The Los Gigantes cliffs rising from the Atlantic on Tenerife's west coast
    11

    Tenerife

    Spain
    Temperature
    18–24°C
    Crowds
    Low–Moderate
    Prices
    €€

    +Warm, dry and calmer.

    –The sea is still fresh.

    Tenerife in MayAll months
  12. The baroque Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán in Oaxaca
    12

    Oaxaca

    Mexico
    Temperature
    17–34°C
    Crowds
    Low-Moderate
    Prices
    $$

    +Fewer visitors and the first rain on the hills.

    –Hot and increasingly humid.

    Oaxaca in MayAll months
  13. Queenstown Bay and the shoreline of Lake Wakatipu
    13

    Queenstown

    New Zealand
    Temperature
    2–12°C
    Crowds
    Low
    Prices
    $$$

    +Low prices and quiet trails.

    –Cold mornings and short days.

    Queenstown in MayAll months

Temperatures are monthly averages. Crowd and price levels are my own judgement. Want to narrow it down? Filter all destinations for May.

FAQ

Least crowded places to visit in May

What are the best quiet destinations in May?

Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Bahamas come out best in May. Destinations with low or very low crowds and decent weather in the month, ranked by how good the month is overall.

Which of these is warmest in May?

Ho Chi Minh City, with average highs around 35°C in May.

Which of these is quietest in May?

Rio de Janeiro, where crowds in May are low.

Least crowded places to visit in another month

More ideas for May