The month in detail
What to expect in May
Spring marks the start of the good season in Oaxaca. Temperatures rise (30.0°C) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. Expect rain on 28.0% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended. A good balance between weather and crowds, even if February (9.4/10) remains theoretically better.
May ranks 7 out of 12 months in Oaxaca. Compared to April: 12 pts more rainy days.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
10 · very high
protection essential
Feels like
comfortable
12°
Daylight
12.8h of daylight
Air quality
fair
AQI 44
Compare
Is May the right month?
The best month in Oaxaca is February (9.4/10), 1.0 pt higher than May.
Context
Our verdict
Oaxaca is the most culturally dense Mexico: Zapotec zones, artisanal mezcal, pre-Columbian markets still alive. At 1500m altitude, the climate stays mild year-round.
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 · Oaxaca
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
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Flights
Multi-airline comparator
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🎟️ Activities & tours · Oaxaca
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 · Mexico
🗣️LanguageSpanish
💶CurrencyMexican Peso ($)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTropical
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthApril · 31°C
❄️Coolest monthSeptember · 24°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘSeptember · 70%
🏝️ 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 Oaxaca ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
MexicoTropical climate with a 9.4 → 7.3 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
17.06°N · 96.73°W
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Oaxaca?
February is the best month with 28.0°C highs, 11.0°C lows, 8.6h of sunshine and 2.0% rainy days. The months of February & January offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Oaxaca get in February?
Oaxaca averages 8.6 sunshine hours per day in February. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 9.2/10.
What is the rainiest month in Oaxaca?
June is the most unfavourable month with June has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Oaxaca in February?
In February, overnight lows reach 11.0°C, while afternoon highs average 28.0°C.
Is Oaxaca good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Oaxaca scores 8.9/10 on average — Decent period conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains February with a score of 9.2/10.
When should you avoid Oaxaca?
June is the most difficult month to visit Oaxaca, with June has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Do you need sun protection in Oaxaca in May?
The average UV index reaches 10 in May in Oaxaca (very high), with about 12.8h of daylight. Protection essential.