Mexico, North America
Oaxaca in May
Hot and dusty until the first rains arrive late in the month. Low prices and few visitors.
The straight answer
May is a quiet, good-value month to visit Oaxaca. Hot and dusty until the first rains arrive late in the month. Low prices and few visitors.
- Weather
- Hottest month, highs near 89F (32C), first storms
- Crowds
- 2 of 5
- Prices
- 2 of 5
What May is like in Oaxaca
May is the hottest month, with highs near 89F (32C), dusty valleys, and the first storms usually arriving late in the month. Visitors are few and prices are low, so the city feels relaxed and local.
It suits budget travelers and those who do not mind heat, especially if you plan the day around shade and siestas. Families with small kids may find it tiring. If you want the same low prices with nicer weather, June is often better, once the rains cool things down.
Make the most of May
What is especially good about Oaxaca this month.
Low prices
It is one of the cheapest months, so it is a good time to book a nicer hotel in the Centro.
The first rains
When the storms arrive late in the month, the heat breaks and the smell of rain on dry earth fills the valleys.
Black pottery in San Bartolo Coyotepec
A short trip from the city, and potters demonstrate how the shiny black clay is shaped and polished.
What to pack for May
- Breathable clothes and a sun hat
- A small umbrella for late-month storms
- Electrolyte packets
- A bandana or buff for dusty roads
Our timing tip
Do all outdoor sightseeing before 11am, and save the afternoon for museums and a long lunch.
Book Oaxaca for May.
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- Hotels for May
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in OaxacaOpens a hotel search for Oaxaca in May, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in OaxacaWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in OaxacaTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Oaxaca for May. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Things to do in Oaxaca
Monte Alban
The Zapotec capital on a leveled mountaintop above the city. Go when it opens to beat the heat and the tour buses; bring a hat, there is little shade.
Templo de Santo Domingo and the Museo de las Culturas
The gilded church interior is one of Mexico's baroque masterpieces; the former convent next door holds the treasures of Tomb 7 from Monte Alban.
Mercado 20 de Noviembre and Benito Juarez market
The smoke-filled grill aisle for tasajo and chorizo, then chocolate, mole pastes, and chapulines next door. Go at lunch.
Museo Textil de Oaxaca
A small, excellent museum of regional and international textiles in the Centro. Free and often overlooked.
Hierve el Agua
Mineral springs and petrified waterfalls about 90 minutes away. Access has occasionally been closed by local disputes, so confirm before you go.
Mitla and the Tule tree
Combine the stone fretwork of Mitla with the massive ahuehuete tree in Santa Maria del Tule, one of the widest trees in the world.
Beat the crowds
- For Dia de Muertos, book hotels four to six months ahead, and consider arriving a week early to see altar building and markets before the peak crowds arrive.
- January and February are the empty, sunny months. You get the same food and markets at half the Dia de Muertos price.
- Go to Monte Alban at opening time and save the markets for the afternoon, when the ruins are hot and busy.
- For the Guelaguetza, free community versions and parades happen around the city even if the main auditorium tickets are gone.
Know before you go
- Many museums close on Mondays, which catches visitors out. Check hours for any museum you plan around.
- Christmas through January 6 and Semana Santa are Mexican holiday periods: sights are open but crowded, and some small businesses shut for a few days.
- Access to Hierve el Agua and some villages is occasionally closed by local community disputes or blockades. Ask your hotel before heading out.
- Teacher and labor protests sometimes block streets in the Centro or roads to the airport, especially in late spring. Leave extra time and follow local news.
Oaxaca in May, quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Oaxaca?
May is a quiet, good-value month to visit Oaxaca. Hot and dusty until the first rains arrive late in the month. Low prices and few visitors.
What is the weather like in Oaxaca in May?
Hottest month, highs near 89F (32C), first storms.
Is Oaxaca crowded in May?
May is one of the quieter months in Oaxaca; most sights can be done without long waits.
Keep planning Oaxaca.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in May
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