Kumasi Weather in May

May: hot and rainy

May feels sticky from morning onwards. Highs reach 30°C, and humidity stays high. Rain is common, with showers or downpours on 29 days of the month. Cloud cover and limited sunshine can make the day feel grey, even when it's warm.

You can still visit the Manhyia Palace Museum or browse Kejetia Market between showers. Keep outdoor sightseeing flexible, though. Rain can make long walks uncomfortable, and muddy paths aren't ideal for a countryside outing. The Kumasi Central Market area can also feel especially damp and crowded when people duck under cover.

May Day and quieter streets

May Day, on May 1, is a public holiday in Ghana. Some offices and businesses may close, while local celebrations can take place. Don't count on every attraction keeping its usual hours that day.

If you hate crowds, May is calmer than December and January, Kumasi's best-known peak travel months. You'll generally face less visitor pressure, and accommodation prices are often less pushed up than in that busy season. It's not the driest time to visit, though. June is wetter still, while April is a little less rainy than May.

Make the rain work for you

Travelling with kids? Plan a museum visit for the wettest part of the day, then head out when the rain eases.

A useful local trick: visit Kejetia Market from the Adum side, and ask locally about the best covered route into the stalls. The market is huge, and a sudden downpour can make finding your way around harder. For a calmer indoor stop, the Manhyia Palace Museum gives you a closer look at Ashanti history without relying on clear skies. Keep your plans loose; May weather can interrupt even a short trip across town.