Month guide · Kerala · India
Kerala in May
What May is really like in Kerala: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Wouter Hagens, Public domain
Quick answer
May is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 32°C (90°F), lows of 26°C (79°F), about 14 rainy days and roughly 12.6 hours of daylight. Very humid with increasing storms; many Varkala cliff businesses start to close for the monsoon.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 32°C (90°F) / 26°C (79°F)
- Rainy days
- About 14
- Daylight
- About 12.6 hours
- Sea temperature
- 30°C (86°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Kerala: days average 32°C (90°F) against a yearly average high of 31°C (88°F), and nights fall to about 26°C (79°F). Rain falls on roughly 14 of its 31 days. Compared with April (33°C (91°F)), May is about as warm; by June highs drop to around 29°C (84°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 06:02
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 18:40
- Daylight
- About 12.6 hours
- Sea
- 30°C (86°F)
Winter (December–February). Dry, sunny and comfortable, with cool nights in the hills; peak season with the highest houseboat and hotel prices.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 2 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) 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 Kerala, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · Thiruvananthapuram
Napier Museum
Combine it with the Sree Chitra Art Gallery next door for paintings by Raja Ravi Varma.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Rainy day
- Art
- Architecture
- Kids
Museum · Ernakulam
Kerala Folklore Museum
A private museum in a building assembled from traditional wooden architecture, holding masks, costumes, carvings and musical instruments from Kerala's performing arts, including Theyyam and Kathakali, with a small theatre on the top floor.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Experience · Kovalam
Ayurveda treatment
Choose centres with qualified Ayurvedic doctors who consult before treatment, especially for multi-day programmes.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours, or courses of 1–3 weeks
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Couples
- Rainy day
Experience · Alappuzha
Backwater houseboat cruise
Converted kettuvallam rice barges with bedrooms, a deck and a cook sail from Alappuzha across Vembanad Lake and along the canals of Kuttanad, where paddy fields lie below water level.
- Time needed
- 1 night
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Couples
- Kids
- Food
- Views
The sea averages 30°C (86°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Kerala.
What to pack
For highs near 32°C, lows near 26°C and 14 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Kerala?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, November–February are better overall. Compare every month.
Kerala in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Kerala?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Very humid with increasing storms; many Varkala cliff businesses start to close for the monsoon.
+How warm is Kerala in May?
Average highs are around 32°C (90°F) and lows around 26°C (79°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Kerala in May?
Expect rain on about 14 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.