Month guide · Panama City · Panama
Panama City in May
What May is really like in Panama City: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: user:ArnoldReinhold, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
May is a good-value shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 32°C (90°F), lows of 24°C (75°F), about 15 rainy days and roughly 12.5 hours of daylight. The rainy season begins, with afternoon thunderstorms and greener landscapes.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 32°C (90°F) / 24°C (75°F)
- Rainy days
- About 15
- Daylight
- About 12.5 hours
- Sea temperature
- 28°C (82°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Panama City: days average 32°C (90°F) against a yearly average high of 31°C (88°F), and nights fall to about 24°C (75°F). Rain falls on roughly 15 of its 31 days. Compared with April (33°C (91°F)), May is about as warm; by June highs stay near 31°C (88°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:58
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 18:30
- Daylight
- About 12.5 hours
- Sea
- 28°C (82°F)
Dry season (mid-December–April). Sunny, breezy days around 32 °C with little rain; the busiest and priciest time, with the jazz festival and Carnival.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 2 for crowds (the peak is January at 4) 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 Panama City, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Experience · Canal Zone
Panama Canal partial transit
Bring sun protection and a hat; most of the journey is on an open deck in strong sun.
- Time needed
- 5–6 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- History
- Views
Landmark · Casco Viejo
Plaza de Francia and Las Bóvedas
At the tip of the old town peninsula, the Plaza de Francia has an obelisk and busts honouring the French engineers and workers who attempted to build the canal in the 1880s.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Couples
Religious site · Casco Viejo
Iglesia de San José
Visit when there is no service, and sit near the front to see the carving in detail.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Art
Religious site · Casco Viejo
Catedral Metropolitana
The cathedral on the Plaza de la Independencia, with twin white bell towers, took more than a century to complete and was restored in the 2010s.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Free
The sea averages 28°C (82°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Panama City.
What to pack
For highs near 32°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 Panama City?
A good-value shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, January–April are better overall. Compare every month.
Panama City in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Panama City?
It is a good-value shoulder-season month. The rainy season begins, with afternoon thunderstorms and greener landscapes.
+How warm is Panama City in May?
Average highs are around 32°C (90°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Panama City in May?
Expect rain on about 15 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.