Cotonou · SpringMonth summary
Cotonou weather in May
✅ Good
🌡️ Temperature min / max
79°F – 86°F
🌧 Rainy days
64% of days
☀️ Sunshine
10.9h per day on average
🌊 🌊 Season
Spring
⭐ ⭐ Weather score
7.2/10
📅 📅 Best month
January (8.3/10)
Quick decision
Should you visit Cotonou in May?
✅ Good
✅ Yes if: you're willing to accept showers in exchange for lower prices and fewer tourists.
❌ No if: you're planning 100% outdoor activities — rain is frequent.
Our take: Favourable conditions in May (7.2/10). January scores higher but the gap is small.
By trip type
Cotonou in May by trip type
- 🏙️ 🏙️ City break / culture : ✅ Good
- 🚶 🚶 Outdoor activities : ⚠️ Possible
- 🏖️ Beach / swimming : ⚠️ Possible
- 💰 💰 Budget : ✅ Low season
Local context
What to expect in May
Spring marks the start of the good season in Cotonou. Temperatures rise (30°F) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. With 64% of rainy days, always have indoor alternatives planned. Not the best window, but acceptable if dates are constrained. January (8.3/10) is significantly better if possible.
Browse by month
All months for Cotonou
Annual table
Month-by-month comparison
| Month | Min °F | Max °F | Rain % | Precip in | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ January | 79°F | 86°F | 18% | 0.0in | 10.2h | 8.3/10 |
| 🌤️ February | 81°F | 88°F | 25% | 0.0in | 10.4h | 7.9/10 |
| 🌤️ March | 81°F | 86°F | 43% | 0.1in | 10.2h | 7.6/10 |
| 🌤️ April | 81°F | 86°F | 50% | 0.1in | 10.7h | 7.5/10 |
| ⛅ May | 79°F | 86°F | 64% | 0.2in | 10.9h | 7.2/10 |
| 🌧️ June | 77°F | 82°F | 82% | 0.3in | 9.5h | 7.1/10 |
| 🌤️ July | 75°F | 81°F | 57% | 0.1in | 10.6h | 7.5/10 |
| 🌤️ August | 75°F | 79°F | 51% | 0.1in | 10.8h | 7.6/10 |
| ⛅ September | 75°F | 81°F | 74% | 0.2in | 10.3h | 7.2/10 |
| ⛅ October | 77°F | 82°F | 73% | 0.2in | 10.6h | 7.3/10 |
| ⛅ November | 79°F | 86°F | 63% | 0.1in | 11.0h | 7.4/10 |
| 🌤️ December | 79°F | 86°F | 26% | 0.0in | 10.6h | 8.2/10 |
Ideal
Fair
Challenging climate
◀ Current month · Source Open-Meteo · 10 years
📊 Data source
Data based on 10 years of ERA5 records via Open-Meteo, with ECMWF seasonal adjustment. In May, Cotonou averages 86°F, 64% rainy days and 10.9h of sunshine per day. Overall weather score: 7.2/10.
See methodology →
Comparison
May vs January (best month)
The best month is January (score 8.3/10). Difference:
- 🌡️ Max temperature : +0°F
- 🌧 Rainy days : -46%
- ☀️ Sunshine : -0.7h/day
FAQ
FAQ — Cotonou in May
Is May a good time to visit Cotonou?
May is an acceptable time for Cotonou (score 7.2/10). Conditions are decent but not optimal — consider January (8.3/10) if possible.
Does it rain a lot in Cotonou in May?
Yes, 64% of days see rain in May. Plan some indoor activities as backup.
Accommodation
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Activities & tours
Activities and tours in Cotonou
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