Month guide · Antigua · Guatemala
Antigua in May
What May is really like in Antigua: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Walter Rodriguez, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
May is a good-value shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 26°C (79°F), lows of 14°C (57°F), about 14 rainy days and roughly 12.8 hours of daylight. The rains start, usually as afternoon storms; mornings are still good for sightseeing and prices drop.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 26°C (79°F) / 14°C (57°F)
- Rainy days
- About 14
- Daylight
- About 12.8 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in May
May is the 3rd-warmest month in Antigua: days average 26°C (79°F) against a yearly average high of 24°C (75°F), and nights fall to about 14°C (57°F). Rain falls on roughly 14 of its 31 days. Compared with April (27°C (81°F)), May is about as warm; by June highs stay near 25°C (77°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:35
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 18:23
- Daylight
- About 12.8 hours
Dry season (November–February). Sunny days, cool nights and the clearest volcano views; the most comfortable time for Acatenango and Pacaya, with Christmas and New Year busy with domestic visitors.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 2 for crowds (the peak is March at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in March). That makes May one of the better-value months to book.
Events in May
May has no major recurring festival in Antigua, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Landmark · La Merced and Calle del Arco
Santa Catalina Arch
Stand a block north and shoot south towards the volcano just after sunrise, before cars and crowds fill the street.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Photo spot
- Architecture
- After dark
Religious site · La Merced and Calle del Arco
Iglesia de La Merced
La Merced's mustard-yellow façade is covered in white stucco lacework, one of the most ornate examples of Antigua's earthquake-resistant baroque, with squat towers and thick walls.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- Photo spot
- Food
Viewpoint · La Merced and Calle del Arco
Cerro de la Cruz
Walk up in daylight with others and go early in the morning, when the air is clearest and the volcano is least likely to be in cloud.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours return
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Active
Historic site · La Merced and Calle del Arco
Convento de las Capuchinas
This 18th-century Capuchin convent is one of the best-preserved ruins in Antigua, with a garden cloister, old washing basins and an unusual circular tower of nuns' cells arranged around a central pillar.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
What to pack
For highs near 26°C, lows near 14°C and 14 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Antigua?
A good-value shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, November–March are better overall. Compare every month.
Antigua in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Antigua?
It is a good-value shoulder-season month. The rains start, usually as afternoon storms; mornings are still good for sightseeing and prices drop.
+How warm is Antigua in May?
Average highs are around 26°C (79°F) and lows around 14°C (57°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Antigua in May?
Expect rain on about 14 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.