Month guide · Macau · China
Macau in May
What May is really like in Macau: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
May is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 29°C (84°F), lows of 24°C (75°F), about 15 rainy days and roughly 13.2 hours of daylight. Hot and humid with heavy showers; the Labour Day holiday brings mainland crowds.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 29°C (84°F) / 24°C (75°F)
- Rainy days
- About 15
- Daylight
- About 13.2 hours
- Sea temperature
- 25°C (77°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Macau: days average 29°C (84°F) against a yearly average high of 26°C (79°F), and nights fall to about 24°C (75°F). Rain falls on roughly 15 of its 31 days. Compared with April (25°C (77°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 31°C (88°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:46
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 18:58
- Daylight
- About 13.2 hours
- Sea
- 25°C (77°F)
Spring (March–May). Warm and humid with fog, drizzle and rising rainfall; temple festivals honour A-Ma and Tin Hau.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 4 for crowds (the peak is February at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in February). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
- Macao Arts Festival (usually May)
- Feast of the Drunken Dragon (Buddha's Birthday, usually May)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · Nam Van and the peninsula casinos
Macao Science Center
Book a planetarium show in advance at weekends, as sessions fill up with families.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Historic site · Senado Square and the Historic Centre
Ruins of St. Paul's
The carved stone façade of the 17th-century Church of Mater Dei is all that survived a fire in 1835.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- After dark
Landmark · Senado Square and the Historic Centre
Senado Square
Step inside the Leal Senado building to see its tiled staircase and small garden, which most people walk past.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Religious site · Barra and the Inner Harbour
A-Ma Temple
Dedicated to Mazu, goddess of seafarers, this hillside temple predates the Portuguese and gave Macau its name.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Iconic
- Photo spot
The sea averages 25°C (77°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Macau.
What to pack
For highs near 29°C, lows near 24°C and 15 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 Macau?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, October–December are better overall. Compare every month.
Macau in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Macau?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Hot and humid with heavy showers; the Labour Day holiday brings mainland crowds.
+How warm is Macau in May?
Average highs are around 29°C (84°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Macau in May?
Expect rain on about 15 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.