A wetter month · Weather & things to do
Cartagena in May
Little changes in Cartagena from April: highs stay near 85°F (30°C), lows near 80°F (27°C), and about 7.0 in (178 mm) of rain falls.
With a comfort score of 48/100 (10th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cloud cover.
- Avg high
- 85°F (30°C)
- Avg low
- 80°F (27°C)
- Rain
- 7.0 in (178 mm)
- Humidity
- 82%
- Cloud cover
- 79%
- Daylight
- ~12 h 29 min
- Comfort score
- 48/100 · Fair
What May feels like
Highs settle around 85°F (30°C), warm enough for short sleeves.
Nights stay warm too, with lows averaging 80°F (27°C).
Humidity averages 82%, so the air feels sticky and the heat feels stronger than the thermometer says.
Expect regular rain: about 7.0 in (178 mm) falls in the month.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 79%.
Plan around May
May is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are January – March.
- Comfort slips from 67/100 in April to 48/100.
- Our Colombia: Coffee to Caribbean route recommends Dec – Mar, so May falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for May
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 85°F
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hathigh UV on clear days
- Quick-dry fabrics82% average humidity
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes7.0 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Cartagena in May
Wet days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Celele
Getsemaní restaurant built on research into Colombian Caribbean ingredients and traditions.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 7.0 in of rain.
Las Bóvedas
Former vaults in the city wall now holding craft and souvenir shops.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop for a month with 7.0 in of rain.
Palacio de la Inquisición
Colonial palace on Plaza de Bolívar now a history museum covering the Inquisition and the city.
Why now A good rainy-day backup in May.
Café del Mar
Open-air bar on the old city walls at Baluarte Santo Domingo, facing the sunset.
Why now Easy to slot in when May's rain moves in.
La Cevichería
Small spot near the walls famous for Caribbean ceviches and seafood rice.
Why now Keeps part of the day dry on wetter May days.
Nearby in May
- Medellín in May~287 mi · highs 74°F, 9.7 in rain · 6°C (11°F) cooler by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Cartagena in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Cartagena?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 48/100, held back mainly by cloud cover. The best months are January – March. Expect highs of 85°F (30°C) and 7.0 in (178 mm) of rain. Our Colombia: Coffee to Caribbean route recommends Dec – Mar, so May is outside its suggested window.
How hot is Cartagena in May?
Average highs are 85°F (30°C) and average lows 80°F (27°C), making it the 6th-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Cartagena in May?
Yes: about 7.0 in (178 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 4th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 53.9 in (1369 mm).
What should I pack for Cartagena in May?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 85°F), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (high UV on clear days), quick-dry fabrics (82% average humidity), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (7.0 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Cartagena
Planning Cartagena in May?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.