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When to go · Panama

Panama in May

Mixed month. Rains start; quieter.

Key facts

Verdict
Mixed
Crowds
Low
Panama
Prices
Low
Panama

Verdict

MixedVoykit month rating for Panama

Rains start; quieter.

Is another month better than May?

May is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

Weather in May

  • Pacific side · Panama City, Canal, Pearl Islands, Azuerorainy

    Dry, breezy mid-December to April; the rest of the year brings heavy afternoon storms.

  • Chiriquí highlands · Boquete, Volcán, Cerro Puntarainy

    Cool (15–25 °C (59–77 °F)); the bajareque drizzle blows through Dec–Feb.

  • Caribbean · Bocas del Toro, Guna Yala, Portobelofine

    Rain possible any month; September–October and February–March are the driest spells; outside the hurricane belt.

  • Caribbean West: Bocas del Toro and the islands · Caribbean coast and archipelagorainy

    Rain is possible all year; the driest stretch is roughly February to April and again in September–October. The heaviest rain and the highest humidity fall from May to August, and the Caribbean side can be wet when the Pacific side is dry.

  • Central Panama: Panama City and the Pacific side · city, Canal, Coronadorainy

    Dry season roughly mid-December to April; May–November is wet, with heavy afternoon showers and the highest humidity in September–October.

  • Central Panama: El Valle and the interior · mountain crater, 600 mrainy

    Cooler than the city by several degrees; mornings clear, cloud builds after midday.

  • Central Panama: Portobelo and the Caribbean side · Colón coastrainy

    Rainier than the Pacific side and can rain in any month; the calmest, driest window is February–April.

  • Eastern Panama: Guna Yala coast and islands · Caribbean side, San Blas archipelagocheck

    Seasonal conditions: check. Rain is possible any month, and boat rides can be choppy when the trade winds are strong.

  • Eastern Panama: Darién interior · Inland rainforest east of Yavizacheck

    Hot and humid year-round; trail and river conditions: check.

  • Pacific West: Chiriquí lowlands and coast · David, Boca Chica, Pedregalrainy

    Dry December–April; rainy May–November with sunny mornings and afternoon showers. No hurricanes.

  • Pacific West: Chiriquí highlands · Boquete, Volcán, Cerro Puntarainy

    Noticeably cooler than the coast, especially at night; bring a layer. Rain is common in the green season.

  • Pacific West: Azuero (Herrera, Los Santos) · Pedasí, Chitrérainy

    Hot and dry December–April; festival season peaks around Carnival.

  • Panama City31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 17 rain days
  • Aguadulce33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 7 rain days
  • Balboa33 °C (91 °F) / 27 °C (81 °F), 9 rain days
  • Bastimentos33 °C (91 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 6 rain days
  • Boca Brava33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 14 rain days
  • Boca Chica33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 12 rain days
  • Bocas del Toro32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 18 rain days
  • Boquete24 °C (75 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 17 rain days
  • Cambutal33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 9 rain days
  • Cerro Punta23 °C (73 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 16 rain days
  • Changuinola31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 16 rain days
  • Colón31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 14 rain days
  • Coronado32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 13 rain days
  • David33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 8 rain days
  • El Valle de Antón29 °C (84 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 15 rain days
  • Gamboa33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 15 rain days
  • Gualaca31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • Isla Carenero33 °C (91 °F) / 27 °C (81 °F), 12 rain days
  • Isla Palenque33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 10 rain days
  • Islas Ladrones31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 16 rain days
  • Islas Paridas32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Islas Secas32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 14 rain days
  • Las Lajas32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 15 rain days
  • Mulatupo o Sasardi33 °C (91 °F) / 27 °C (81 °F), 12 rain days
  • Pedasi33 °C (91 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 10 rain days
  • Portobelo31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 15 rain days
  • Puerto Obaldia33 °C (91 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 6 rain days
  • San Blas Islands31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 14 rain days
  • San Francisco31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 15 rain days
  • Santa Catalina33 °C (91 °F) / 27 °C (81 °F), 12 rain days
  • Santa Fe33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 9 rain days
  • Santiago de Veraguas32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 15 rain days
  • Taboga32 °C (90 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 15 rain days
  • Volcán33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °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.

  • Rainy season

    May–November · Panama City

    Heavy afternoon rain; outdoor stops belong in the morning.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Panama
Low
Prices · Panama
Low

Compare two months

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

  • Verdict

    May: Mixed

    Jan: Great (better)

  • Crowds

    May: Low

    Jan: High

  • Prices

    May: Low

    Jan: High

  • Festivals listed

    May: 2

    Jan: 3

May: Rains start; quieter.

January: Dry and windy on the Pacific; peak season; Boquete flower fair (check).

Panama: 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

  • Cambutal

    Best months: Dry season Dec–Apr for calm beach, rainy season May–Nov for big surf, whales July–Oct

  • Islas Ladrones

    Best months: May–Nov for giant manta rays (check sea conditions for the rest of the year)