The month in detail
What to expect in May
May is peak dry season in Cape Verde. The air is warm and humidity more bearable than in the rainy season. Rain is virtually absent (1% of days) — ideal for planning without a backup.
May is the best month of the year in Cape Verde.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
9 · very high
protection essential
Feels like
muggy at times
17°
Sea
25°C
pleasant for swimming
Daylight
12.7h of daylight
Air quality
fair
AQI 53
Compare
Is May the right month?
May is actually the best month of the year in Cape Verde. Good timing.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Cape Verde
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Cape Verde
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a tropical stay.
Country · Cape Verde
🗣️LanguagePortuguese
💶CurrencyEscudo cap-verdien ($)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTropical
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthOctober · 30°C
❄️Coolest monthFebruary · 25°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘSeptember · 20%
🏝️ Tropical stay
🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep
🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar
🌀Cyclones ⓘSeason Nov-Apr
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Cape Verde ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
Cape VerdeTropical climate with a 9.0 → 5.6 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
14.93°N · 23.51°W
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Cape Verde?
November is the best month with 28.0°C highs, 23.0°C lows, 6.2h of sunshine and 2.0% rainy days. The months of November & May offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Cape Verde get in November?
Cape Verde averages 6.2 sunshine hours per day in November. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.7/10.
What is the rainiest month in Cape Verde?
August is the most unfavourable month with August has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Cape Verde in November?
In November, overnight lows reach 23.0°C, while afternoon highs average 28.0°C.
Is Cape Verde good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Cape Verde scores 8.4/10 on average — Decent period conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains November with a score of 8.7/10.
When should you avoid Cape Verde?
August is the most difficult month to visit Cape Verde, with August has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Cape Verde in May?
In May, the sea averages 25°C in Cape Verde: pleasant for swimming. Swimming is pleasant without a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in Cape Verde in May?
The average UV index reaches 9 in May in Cape Verde (very high), with about 12.7h of daylight. Protection essential.