French Guiana in May

Wettest weeks; turtles nesting.

May is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• AugustGreatDry season starts; hatchlings on beaches.
• SeptemberGreatDry and sunny; best month overall.
• OctoberGreatDry; good for river trips.
• NovemberGreatDry; rivers low.

• Coast (Cayenne to Saint-Laurent) · Cayenne, Kourou, Sinnamary, Saint-Laurent, Awala-Yalimaporainy

  Hot and humid, 23–32 °C (73–90 °F). Dry season mid-August–November; the 'petit été de mars' brings a short drier break in March; heaviest rain April–June.Hot and humid, 73–90 °F (23–32 °C). Dry season mid-August–November; the 'petit été de mars' brings a short drier break in March; heaviest rain April–June.

• Interior rainforest · Saül, Maripasoula, upper Maroni and Oyapockrainy

  Wetter; river levels drop from September, which makes some rapids harder for canoes by November.

• Cayenne30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 22 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 22 rain days

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

  Closures.

• Victory in Europe Day

  8 May

  Closures.

• Ascension and Whit Monday

  May–Jun (varies)

  Closures.

• Sea-turtle nesting season check

  Roughly April to August, peak varies by species · Cayenne

  Guided night visits become possible; independent access to nesting beaches may be restricted at night — confirm locally.

Crowds · French Guiana

Low

Prices · French Guiana

Low

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in French Guiana, side by side.

• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

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Better another month

• Cayenne

  Long rainy season; heavy rain and flooded roads.