Dhaka Weather in May

May feels hot and wet

May is sticky, with daytime highs around 34°C and warm nights. Rain falls on many days, often in heavy bursts, and clouds can make the city feel close and damp. April is hotter but much drier; June brings even more rain. Outdoor sightseeing can be tiring, so keep visits to Lalbagh Fort or the National Museum short and flexible. Save indoor stops for the wettest spells, and expect walks through Old Dhaka to slow when streets are waterlogged.

If you hate crowds, May's quieter streets may suit you better than the December-to-February peak.

Festivals and quieter days

May can bring Buddha Purnima, a major Buddhist holiday, though its date changes each year. Dhaka also marks Rabindra Jayanti with cultural events around May, celebrating poet Rabindranath Tagore. Dates and programmes vary, so don't assume an event will fall on your visit.

There are fewer leisure visitors than in the cool winter months. Hotels and flights can be easier to find, and rates may be lower than during the December-to-February high season. Local traffic and daily city life don't disappear, though, and rain can make getting across town slow.

Make the weather work

Plan a short outing around a named place, then leave room to change course if a downpour hits. The Ahsan Manzil museum, on the Buriganga riverfront, gives you an indoor stop in Old Dhaka; nearby lanes can be muddy after rain. For a meal, try biryani at Haji Biriyani, then use a CNG auto-rickshaw rather than walking far through wet streets. Agree on the fare before you set off. Don't count on a full day of clear skies for river trips or long outdoor visits.