Start of the wetter season · Weather & things to do
Manuel Antonio in May
Manuel Antonio edges cooler than April, with highs of 85°F (29°C), lows of 79°F (26°C) and about 10.9 in (277 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 39/100, 9th of 12.
- Avg high
- 85°F (29°C)
- Avg low
- 79°F (26°C)
- Rain
- 10.9 in (277 mm)
- Humidity
- 82%
- Cloud cover
- 85%
- Daylight
- ~12 h 26 min
- Comfort score
- 39/100 · Tough
What May feels like
Highs settle around 85°F (29°C), warm enough for short sleeves.
Even at night it stays warm, around 79°F (26°C).
Humidity averages 82%, so the air feels sticky and the heat feels stronger than the thermometer says.
It's a very wet month, with around 10.9 in (277 mm) of rain, so keep plans flexible and have indoor backups ready.
Skies are often grey, with average cloud cover around 85%.
Plan around May
May sits mid-table; the best months are January – March.
- Humidity season begins: 82% on average, up from 72% in April.
- Comfort slips from 62/100 in April to 39/100.
- Our Costa Rica Pura Vida route recommends Dec – Apr, so May falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for May
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 85°F
- Quick-dry fabrics82% average humidity
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Manuel Antonio in May
Wet days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Ronny's Place
Restaurant overlooking coves.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 10.9 in of rain.
Manuel Antonio National Park
Small park of rainforest trails and beaches.
Planet Dolphin catamaran
Sunset catamaran tour.
Playa Espadilla
Long beach outside the park.
Nearby in May
- Monteverde in May~78 mi · highs 76°F, 7.4 in rain · 5°C (8°F) cooler by day, drier
- La Fortuna in May~82 mi · highs 87°F, 7.7 in rain · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~264 m to Manuel Antonio's ~108 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Manuel Antonio in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Manuel Antonio?
It's middling, scoring 39/100. The best months are January – March, at up to 84. Expect highs of 85°F (29°C) and 10.9 in (277 mm) of rain. Our Costa Rica Pura Vida route recommends Dec – Apr, so May is outside its suggested window.
How hot is Manuel Antonio in May?
Average highs are 85°F (29°C) and average lows 79°F (26°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Manuel Antonio in May?
Yes: about 10.9 in (277 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 4th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 90.1 in (2288 mm).
What should I pack for Manuel Antonio in May?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 85°F), quick-dry fabrics (82% average humidity), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Manuel Antonio
Planning Manuel Antonio 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.