Oaxaca in May
Last hot days, first storms
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
May is a reasonable month in Oaxaca — with trade-offs.
May is the transition into the rainy season, with hot days and the first afternoon thunderstorms.
May in detail
What May actually feels like
- Weather
- 17–34°C
- Hot, with the first afternoon storms.
- Crowds
- Low-Moderate
- Fairly relaxed, with busier moments at the headline sights.
- Prices
- $$
- Good-value hotel rates.
+Fewer visitors and the first rain on the hills.
–Hot and increasingly humid.
My tip for May
Plan outdoor activities for the morning; afternoons can bring storms.
- Cooking classes
- Markets
- Museums
How May compares
Against the other eleven months
6th of 12 overall in Oaxaca, 8th for weather, 3rd for space, 4th for value. The emptiest month is June; the best value is September.
See all twelve months for OaxacaNot set on May?
Even stronger months in Oaxaca
Weather
Weather in Oaxaca in May
In May Oaxaca averages a high of 34°C (93°F) and a low of 17°C (63°F), with about 98 mm of rain or snow over 11 wet days. The warmest month is April (around 35°C) and the coolest is January (around 29°C); the wettest month is June.
- Average high
- 34°C
- 93°F
- Average low
- 17°C
- 63°F
- Precipitation
- 98 mm
- Wet days
- 11
Climate data: Servicio Meteorológico Nacional. Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
Oaxaca in May: the questions people ask
- Is May a good time to visit Oaxaca?
- May is a reasonable month in Oaxaca — with trade-offs. It ranks 6 of 12 months in Oaxaca overall (8 for weather, 3 for space, 4 for value). The main upside: Fewer visitors and the first rain on the hills. The main downside: Hot and increasingly humid.
- What is the weather like in Oaxaca in May?
- Average highs are around 34°C and lows around 17°C. Expect about 98 mm of rain or snow over roughly 11 wet days. Hot, with the first afternoon storms. For comparison, the warmest month is April (around 35°C) and the coolest is January (around 29°C).
- Is Oaxaca crowded in May?
- Crowds are low-moderate. Fairly relaxed, with busier moments at the headline sights. The quietest month is June.
- How expensive is Oaxaca in May?
- Prices are at level 2 of 5 ($$). Good-value hotel rates. The best-value month is September.
- When is the best time to visit Oaxaca?
- In the CrowdFreeViews month scores, February is the best month overall (May ranks 6 of 12). The quietest month is June and the best value is September.
Ready to book May in Oaxaca?
Fewer visitors and the first rain on the hills.
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