The month in detail
What to expect in May
Spring marks the start of the good season in Petra. Temperatures rise (82°F) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. Rain is virtually absent (3% of days) — ideal for planning without a backup.
May is the best month of the year in Petra. Compared to April: +7°F daytime, +0.8h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
8 · very high
protection essential
Feels like
dry air
5°
Daylight
13.5h of daylight
Air quality
fair
AQI 53
Compare
Is May the right month?
May is actually the best month of the year in Petra. 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 · Petra
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Petra
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 city break.
Country · Jordan
🗣️LanguageArabic
💶CurrencyDinar jordanien (JD)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘAt risk · 4/5
💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 90°F
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 55°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘJanuary · 15%
🏛️ City break
📅Tourist peak seasonJune → August
☔Indoor sights ⓘYear-round
🚇Public transportGood
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Petra ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
JordanTemperate climate with a 9.5 → 4.5 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
30.33°N · 35.44°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Petra?
May is the best month with 82°F highs, 63°F lows, 9.5h of sunshine and 3.0% rainy days. The months of May & June offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Petra get in May?
Petra averages 9.5 sunshine hours per day in May. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 9.3/10.
What is the rainiest month in Petra?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Petra in May?
In May, overnight lows reach 63°F, while afternoon highs average 82°F.
Is Petra good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Petra scores 5.2/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains May with a score of 9.3/10.
When should you avoid Petra?
January is the most difficult month to visit Petra, with January 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 Petra in May?
The average UV index reaches 8 in May in Petra (very high), with about 13.5h of daylight. Protection essential.