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When to go · El Salvador

El Salvador in May

Mixed month. Rains begin; surf picks up.

Key facts

Verdict
Mixed
Crowds
Low
El Salvador
Prices
Low
El Salvador

Verdict

MixedVoykit month rating for El Salvador

Rains begin; surf picks up.

Is another month better than May?

May is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

Weather in May

  • Pacific coast · El Tunco, El Zonte, La Libertad, Las Floresfine

    Hot all year (30–33 °C (86–91 °F)). Dry Nov–Apr with smaller, cleaner surf; bigger south swells in the wet season Apr–Oct.

  • Highlands · Ruta de las Flores, Santa Ana, Suchitoto, San Salvadorfine

    Cooler, especially Apaneca and Ataco at about 1,400 m; afternoon storms May–Oct.

  • Cloud forest · Montecristo, El Pitalrainy

    Cool and misty; Montecristo's core closes in the breeding season (roughly May–Oct — check).

  • Dry season Nov–Apr is the reliable beach window; May–Oct brings afternoon downpours and bigger surf.

  • Hot year-round (30 °C (86 °F)+ days); the volcano slope is cooler and cloudier by midday. Rain concentrates May–Oct.

  • Dry season roughly November to April; afternoons can be cool at altitude, bring a layer. Rainy season May–October means afternoon downpours.

  • Hot and humid year-round; the dry months are the most comfortable for beach days.

  • San Salvador31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 15 rain days
  • Acajutla32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Ahuachapán30 °C (86 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 14 rain days
  • Alegría34 °C (93 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days
  • Apaneca33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 6 rain days
  • Berlín30 °C (86 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 14 rain days
  • Chalatenango31 °C (88 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 12 rain days
  • Concepción de Ataco24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days
  • El Cuco33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 11 rain days
  • El Tunco33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 6 rain days
  • El Zonte32 °C (90 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 8 rain days
  • Joya de Ceren33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days
  • Juayúa33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • La Libertad33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 5 rain days
  • La Unión34 °C (93 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days
  • Nahuizalco31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 12 rain days
  • Salcoatitán32 °C (90 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 6 rain days
  • San Francisco Gotera34 °C (93 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • San Miguel33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • San Sebastian33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • Santa Ana31 °C (88 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 14 rain days
  • Santa Rosa de Lima34 °C (93 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 9 rain days
  • Santa Tecla31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 14 rain days
  • Sonsonate32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 14 rain days
  • Suchitoto30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 9 rain days

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • Labour Day

    1 May

    Public holiday.

  • Mother's Day

    10 May

    Restaurants full.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · El Salvador
Low
Prices · El Salvador
Low

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in El Salvador, side by side.

  • Verdict

    May: Mixed

    Jan: Great (better)

  • Crowds

    May: Low

    Jan: Medium

  • Prices

    May: Low

    Jan: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    May: 2

    Jan: 1

May: Rains begin; surf picks up.

January: Dry and clear; smaller surf, good for learners.

El Salvador: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

  • A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in May

Rated best or good this month

  • El Zonte

    Best months: Nov–Apr (learners), Mar–Oct (surfers)