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
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.Hot all year (86–91 °F (30–33 °C)). 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).
- Eastern El Salvador: Pacific beaches (El Cuco, Las Flores) · coastal striprainy
Dry season Nov–Apr is the reliable beach window; May–Oct brings afternoon downpours and bigger surf.
- Eastern El Salvador: San Miguel and the volcano · inland lowlandsrainy
Hot year-round (30 °C (86 °F)+ days); the volcano slope is cooler and cloudier by midday. Rain concentrates May–Oct.Hot year-round (86 °F (30 °C)+ days); the volcano slope is cooler and cloudier by midday. Rain concentrates May–Oct.
- Western El Salvador: Highlands (Santa Ana, Ruta de las Flores) · Volcanic arc, 500–1,500 mrainy
Dry season roughly November to April; afternoons can be cool at altitude, bring a layer. Rainy season May–October means afternoon downpours.
- Western El Salvador: Pacific coast (La Libertad, Acajutla) · Coastal striprainy
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 days88 °F (31 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 15 rain days
- Acajutla32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 12 rain days
- Ahuachapán30 °C (86 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 14 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 14 rain days
- Alegría34 °C (93 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days93 °F (34 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 10 rain days
- Apaneca33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 6 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 6 rain days
- Berlín30 °C (86 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 14 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 14 rain days
- Chalatenango31 °C (88 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 12 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 12 rain days
- Concepción de Ataco24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 9 rain days
- El Cuco33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 11 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 11 rain days
- El Tunco33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 6 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 6 rain days
- El Zonte32 °C (90 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 8 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 8 rain days
- Joya de Ceren33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 12 rain days
- Juayúa33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 12 rain days
- La Libertad33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 5 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 5 rain days
- La Unión34 °C (93 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days93 °F (34 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 12 rain days
- Nahuizalco31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 12 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 12 rain days
- Salcoatitán32 °C (90 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 6 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 6 rain days
- San Francisco Gotera34 °C (93 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days93 °F (34 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 12 rain days
- San Miguel33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 12 rain days
- San Sebastian33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 12 rain days
- Santa Ana31 °C (88 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 14 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 14 rain days
- Santa Rosa de Lima34 °C (93 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 9 rain days93 °F (34 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 9 rain days
- Santa Tecla31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 14 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 14 rain days
- Sonsonate32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 14 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 14 rain days
- Suchitoto30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 9 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 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
Where to go in May
Rated best or good this month
Best months: Nov–Apr (learners), Mar–Oct (surfers)