Nicaragua in May

First rains; still hot; quiet and cheap.

May is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• JanuaryGreatDry, green after the rains, windy on the lake; good surf and offshore winds in the south.
• FebruaryGreatDry and warm; Granada's poetry festival some years (check).
• MarchGreatDry and hot; Semana Santa may fall here (check) — beaches fill.
• NovemberGoodRains ease; roads dry out by the end of the month.

• Pacific lowlands · Granada, León, Managua, Ometepe, San Juan del Surhot

  Dry and breezy December–April; León is one of the hottest cities in the region in April (36 °C (97 °F)+). A drier spell (canícula) often breaks the rains in July–August.Dry and breezy December–April; León is one of the hottest cities in the region in April (97 °F (36 °C)+). A drier spell (canícula) often breaks the rains in July–August.

• Northern highlands · Matagalpa, Estelí, Jinotegafine

  Cooler coffee country (15–25 °C (59–77 °F)); cloud forest reserves are wet most of the year.Cooler coffee country (59–77 °F (15–25 °C)); cloud forest reserves are wet most of the year.

• Caribbean coast · Corn Islands, Bluefields, Pearl Lagoon, Río San Juanbest weather

  Rain possible any month; hurricanes and tropical storms mostly Aug–Oct (Iota and Eta hit in 2020).

• Capital Region: Managua and the lowlands · Capital Region, 50–500 mrainy

  Dry season roughly December–April; the rains run May–October with afternoon downpours. Managua sits low and holds heat — 32 °C (90 °F)+ most of the year.Dry season roughly December–April; the rains run May–October with afternoon downpours. Managua sits low and holds heat — 90 °F (32 °C)+ most of the year.

• Caribbean Nicaragua: Corn Islands · Caribbean Sea, offshorerainy

  Warm year-round, sea about 27–29 °C (81–84 °F). Rain showers most months; trade winds December–April.Warm year-round, sea about 81–84 °F (27–29 °C). Rain showers most months; trade winds December–April.

• Caribbean Nicaragua: Mainland coast (Bluefields, Pearl Lagoon, Bilwi) · Atlantic lowlands and lagoonsrainy

  Bluefields averages around 225 rainy days a year; March–April is the driest window. Hurricanes roughly June–December.

• Northern Highlands: Highland towns (Estelí, Matagalpa, Jinotega) · 1,000 m+ interiorbest weather

  Cooler than the Pacific all year; rainy season roughly May–October, heaviest Sep–Oct. Mornings can be chilly — 15 °C (59 °F) or less.Cooler than the Pacific all year; rainy season roughly May–October, heaviest Sep–Oct. Mornings can be chilly — 59 °F (15 °C) or less.

• Northern Highlands: Somoto and the border lowlands · Pan-American corridor northhot

  Warmer and drier-feeling than the coffee towns; canyon water is low in the dry season.

• Northern Pacific Coast: León and the coastal plain · León, Chinandega, Las Peñitas, Poneloyarainy

  Dry season December–April, hottest March–April; rains May–October, usually afternoon and evening. Coastal wind picks up in the afternoon.

• Rio San Juan Region: San Carlos and the river · Lake Cocibolca shore and the Rio San Juanrainy

  Hot and humid year-round; the dry months (roughly December–April) are easier for boat travel and hiking. Rain peaks June–October.

• Southern Pacific Coast: Pacific lowlands and lake · Granada, Rivas, San Juan del Sur, Ometeperainy

  Dry season roughly December–April; rains May–October with the heaviest downpours September–October. The lake and coast stay hot year-round — 30 °C (86 °F)+ most days.Dry season roughly December–April; rains May–October with the heaviest downpours September–October. The lake and coast stay hot year-round — 86 °F (30 °C)+ most days.

• Granada33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 13 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 13 rain days
• Altagracia33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 12 rain days
• Balgue33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 9 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 9 rain days
• Big Corn Island31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 14 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 14 rain days
• Bilwi30 °C (86 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 12 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 12 rain days
• Bluefields31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 14 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 14 rain days
• Boaco31 °C (88 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 8 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 8 rain days
• Chinandega34 °C (93 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 10 rain days93 °F (34 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 10 rain days
• Corinto34 °C (93 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 9 rain days93 °F (34 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 9 rain days
• El Castillo32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 15 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 15 rain days
• Estelí31 °C (88 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 10 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 10 rain days
• Jinotega29 °C (84 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 10 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 10 rain days
• Juigalpa33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 10 rain days
• Las Peñitas33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 7 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 7 rain days
• León31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 291 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 291 rain days
• Little Corn Island31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 12 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 12 rain days
• Managua34 °C (93 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 13 rain days93 °F (34 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 13 rain days
• Masaya33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 9 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 9 rain days
• Matagalpa28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 12 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 12 rain days
• Moyogalpa33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 12 rain days
• Ocotal30 °C (86 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 10 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 10 rain days
• Pearl Lagoon31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 8 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 8 rain days
• Playa Gigante33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 7 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 7 rain days
• Playa Maderas33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 6 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 6 rain days
• Playa Santo Domingo34 °C (93 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 6 rain days93 °F (34 °C) / 79 °F (26 °C), 6 rain days
• Poneloya35 °C (95 °F) / 27 °C (81 °F), 5 rain days95 °F (35 °C) / 81 °F (27 °C), 5 rain days
• Popoyo33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 9 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 9 rain days
• Rama33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 12 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 12 rain days
• Rivas33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 9 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 9 rain days
• San Carlos31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 15 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 15 rain days
• San Juan del Norte33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 12 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 12 rain days
• San Juan del Sur33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 8 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 8 rain days
• San Miguelito32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 10 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 10 rain days
• Solentiname Islands33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 12 rain days
• Somoto36 °C (97 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 2 rain days97 °F (36 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 2 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

  Public holiday.

• Mother's Day

  30 May

  Restaurants full.

Crowds · Nicaragua

Low

Prices · Nicaragua

Low

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

• Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen

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Rated best or good this month

• Caribbean coast

  Best weather of the year (Corn Islands, Bluefields, Pearl Lagoon, Río San Juan)

• Big Corn Island

  Best months: Mar–May (calm, dry, clearest water)

• Bluefields

  Best months: Feb–May, Sep–Nov

• Little Corn Island

  Best months: Mar–May (calmest sea, clearest water); Dec–Apr also dry

• Pearl Lagoon

  Best months: Feb–May