Start of the wetter season · Weather & things to do
Oaxaca in May
Oaxaca edges cooler than April, with highs of 85°F (29°C), lows of 59°F (15°C) and about 2.9 in (73 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 78/100, 7th of 12.
- Avg high
- 85°F (29°C)
- Avg low
- 59°F (15°C)
- Rain
- 2.9 in (73 mm)
- Humidity
- 64%
- Cloud cover
- 58%
- Daylight
- ~12 h 48 min
- Comfort score
- 78/100 · Great
What May feels like
Warm afternoons near 85°F (29°C) make long days outdoors easy.
There's a big swing between day and night, about 14°C (26°F), so mornings and evenings feel much cooler than the afternoon.
Some rain is likely, about 2.9 in (73 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Plan around May
May sits mid-table; the best months are November – March.
- Comfort holds steady from April (80 → 78/100).
- Our Mexico City to Oaxaca route recommends Oct – Apr, so May falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for May
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 85°F
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 59°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Oaxaca in May
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Hierve el Agua
Mineral springs and petrified waterfall cliffs in the mountains east of the city.
Why now May scores 78/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Árbol del Tule
Ancient cypress in Santa María del Tule with one of the widest trunks in the world.
Mitla
Zapotec site with intricate geometric stone mosaics.
In Situ Mezcalería
Mezcal bar with hundreds of bottles, many from small producers.
Casa Oaxaca
Chef Alejandro Ruiz's restaurant with a rooftop terrace facing Santo Domingo.
Why now Highs near 85°F and 2.9 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Nearby in May
- Puebla in May~167 mi · highs 82°F, 2.6 in rain · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Mexico City in May~227 mi · highs 82°F, 2.2 in rain · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,953 m to Oaxaca's ~1,597 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.
Oaxaca in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Oaxaca?
It's middling, scoring 78/100. The best months are November – March, at up to 97. Expect highs of 85°F (29°C) and 2.9 in (73 mm) of rain. Our Mexico City to Oaxaca route recommends Oct – Apr, so May is outside its suggested window.
How hot is Oaxaca in May?
Average highs are 85°F (29°C) and average lows 59°F (15°C), making it the 2nd-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Oaxaca in May?
Some: about 2.9 in (73 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 6th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 38.5 in (978 mm).
What should I pack for Oaxaca in May?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 85°F), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (strong sun this month), a warm layer for evenings (lows near 59°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Planning Oaxaca in May?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.