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Caribbean Weather in May: Rain and Temperature Chart

Aruba windsurfing
Islands such as Aruba have hot weather in May. Credit: Wikimedia Creative Commons license

Caribbean weather in May has slightly higher temperatures than March and April. It’s the final month of the dry season for some destinations, while others have an increase of rain.

Destinations along the Caribbean coast of Mexico and Central America go through a brief rainy season during the month.

The Caribbean has an increase in tourism from December through April because of winter and spring breaks for schools as well as northerners escaping winter weather. Many destinations hit a high point during March when spring break occurs. The low risk of rain is another reason to go.

Higher rainfall for some places and the lack of spring break during the month mean that tourism usually drops a bit in May.

10-Day Weather Forecasts | See Caribbean monthly weather in: January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December

Western Caribbean in May

Caribbean Weather in May: Destinations
DestinationLowHighTotal RainRain Days
Antigua75.785.64.410
Aruba79.589.60.7
Bahamas73.987.88.615
Barbados77.086.43.4
Belize76.588.310.114
Bermuda73.081.0 12
Cancun77.491.45.411
Cayman73.991.95.716
Costa Rica62.478.311.1
Cozumel74.890.37.613
Curacao79.589.60.8
Dominica76.186.26.4
Dominican Rep75.486.54.19
Guadeloupe74.888.34.6
Havana74.186.97.210
Jamaica73.687.64.810
San Juan76.188.54.012
St. Lucia77.787.13.916
St. Maarten79.088.32.4
Trinidad73.988.76.120
USVI77.689.32.5

Weather in May for the western Caribbean starts to have much warmer temperatures for several popular areas. Rainfall begins to climb a bit.

Cozumel in particular has a higher chance of rain with a historical average of more than four inches, according to the National Meteorological Service of Mexico.

Cancun, Cozumel and Grand Cayman are usually the hottest destinations during the month. They reach an average high of more than 90 degrees Fahrenheit or 32 degrees Celsius.

As a result of more rain and hot temperatures, the number of western Caribbean cruises drops off in May.

Low temperatures occur mainly at night and average in the mid 70s Fahrenheit or the mid 20s Celsius for most locations.

One exception is Costa Rica, which has cooler temperatures inland and especially in the mountains. It is noteworthy for toursts who go on shore excursions in the interior, such as Mayan ruins.

Total rainfall is high in Belize and Costa Rica, but the majority of it falls in the mountains rather on the coasts.

Eastern Caribbean in May

Temperatures for Caribbean weather in May
Average high temperatures for Caribbean weather in May. © 2023 Scott S. Bateman

Average high temperatures reach the high 80s Fahrenheit or about 30 degrees Celsius for most of the eastern destinations, according to 30 years of weather data from the Caribbean country meteorological services.

Aruba, Belize, Curacao, St. Maarten and San Juan all see average highs hover around 89 degrees Fahrenheit. Average temperatures get warmer later in the month.

Like the western Caribbean, some islands have brief rainy seasons in May after a dry spell in the spring. They include the Bahamas, Dominica and Cuba.

Dominica is noteworthy because it is one of the wettest destinations in the Caribbean with average rainfall reaching as high as 15 inches a month in the fall.

An average of six inches in May is high compared to many destinations, but quite low for Dominica. The island is known for waterfalls and rainforests thanks to the heavy rains throughout the year.

The Bahamas reach the highest rainfall since the previous October at an average of more than four inches.

Rain usually declines again in June and then starts to climb in July during the Caribbean hurricane season.

The Bahamas are the most northern destination in the region and experience average temperatures in the upper 80s.

They technically aren’t part of the Caribbean but are a popular stop for eastern Caribbean cruises.

Southern Caribbean in May

Aruba and Curacao, which are among the most arid islands in the region, reach one of the lowest levels of rain all year with an average of less than one inch.

Trinidad reaches the same level of rain as Dominica with about six inches and high temperatures in the upper 80s Fahrenheit.

Cruise Weather

Caribbean cruise weather is optimal for most eastern and southern cruises.

But western cruises have more risk of bad weather because of increases in rainfall for Jamaica, Cozumel and the Cayman Islands, which are the three most popular destinations on a western itinerary.

Higher than normal rainfall for the Bahamas will make a cruise there riskier as well.