Cozumel weather in May. © Scott S. Bateman

Cozumel weather in May has the first hints of rainy days ahead. But it’s still dry and warm enough to make it one of the better months for travelers to visit the island, especially for people who like hot weather.

The largest island of Mexico lies just off the Caribbean coast near Playa del Carmen. It is hugely popular among western Caribbean cruises, especially during the dry season in the winter and spring months.

Visitors take advantage of beaches, reef snorkeling, Mayan ruins, quick trips over to Playa del Carmen and other Cozumel tourist attractions.

Cozumel Temperatures in May

Staying warm in May is usually not a problem for Cozumel visitors.

The average high temperature in Cozumel during May is 91 degrees Fahrenheit or 33 Celsius, according to Servicio Meteorológico Nacional, Mexico’s national weather service. The average low is 73 degrees Fahrenheit or 23 Celsius.

Average high temperatures reach a plateau of 90 degrees Fahrenheit or more starting in April and continuing through August.

These months are the best months for comfortable water temperatures. In contrast, nighttime temperatures during the winter are cool enough to make swimming uncomfortable at times.

But not in May. The weather in May is nearly ideal for visitors who want time on the beaches and in the Caribbean Sea as well as a somewhat low risk of rain. Only April has a better combination of warm and dry days.

Rainfall in May

That dry season goes from January through April with average rainfall between one and three inches a month, according to Servicio Meteorológico Nacional.

Like December, Cozumel weather in May is a transition between the dry season and the rainy season. The rainy season goes from June through November as part of the annual Caribbean hurricane season.

The average rainfall for Cozumel in May is about four inches, which is similar to other Caribbean destinations during the month. It rains on average about seven days in May, which is low compared to many Caribbean destinations.

In contrast, rainfall increases in June and climbs during the summer until reaching a peak of about 10 inches a month in September and October. They are the worst times to visit Cozumel.

• Cozumel weather in: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December