Month guide · Bogotá · Colombia
Bogotá in May
What May is really like in Bogotá: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Felipe Restrepo Acosta, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
May is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 19°C (66°F), lows of 10°C (50°F), about 18 rainy days and roughly 12.3 hours of daylight. Rainy and grey, but mornings can be clear; a quiet month for visitors.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 19°C (66°F) / 10°C (50°F)
- Rainy days
- About 18
- Daylight
- About 12.3 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Bogotá: days average 19°C (66°F) against a yearly average high of 19°C (66°F), and nights fall to about 10°C (50°F). Rain falls on roughly 18 of its 31 days. Compared with April (20°C (68°F)), May is about as warm; by June highs stay near 19°C (66°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:42
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 18:02
- Daylight
- About 12.3 hours
Dry season (December–March). Sunny mornings, cold nights and the clearest views of the mountains; the city is quiet in early January.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 2 for crowds (the peak is February at 3) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in January). That makes May one of the better-value months to book.
Events in May
May has no major recurring festival in Bogotá, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Architecture · La Candelaria
Teatro Colón
The best way to see the interior is to attend a performance; check the programme on arrival.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- After dark
- Rainy day
Museum · Ciudad Salitre
Maloka
An interactive science museum largely underground, with hands-on rooms on the human body, biodiversity and technology, and a dome cinema.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
Viewpoint · Cerros Orientales
Monserrate
Go early in the morning for the clearest views; the hike is steep at altitude, so acclimatise for a day first.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- Couples
- Active
- Photo spot
Landmark · La Candelaria
Plaza de Bolívar
Bogotá's main square is framed by the neoclassical Capitolio Nacional, the Primary Cathedral, the Palace of Justice and the Liévano Palace, the mayor's office.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
What to pack
For highs near 19°C, lows near 10°C and 18 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Bogotá?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, July–August and December–March are better overall. Compare every month.
Bogotá in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Bogotá?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Rainy and grey, but mornings can be clear; a quiet month for visitors.
+How warm is Bogotá in May?
Average highs are around 19°C (66°F) and lows around 10°C (50°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Bogotá in May?
Expect rain on about 18 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.