Manaus Weather in May

May weather in Manaus

May is warm, damp and often cloudy. Highs reach 28°C, and rain falls on 26 days, so expect sticky walks and sudden downpours rather than long sunny afternoons. The month gets 201 mm of rain, less than April but much more than June.

You can still visit the Teatro Amazonas, browse the Mercado Adolpho Lisboa or take a covered boat trip along the Rio Negro. Keep flexible plans for outdoor stops: heavy rain can make a long walk around Praça São Sebastião unpleasant. With little daily sunshine, May isn't the best month for relying on bright beach weather at Ponta Negra.

What to do and what's on

May's high water is part of the Amazon's rainy season. Boat trips can reach flooded forest, where trees stand in the water, though showers may interrupt outings. Ask local operators about river conditions and routes before setting off.

Manaus marks Labour Day on May 1, a public holiday in Brazil, and Mother's Day on the second Sunday. Some shops and services may close or change hours. The Festival Amazonas de Ópera has often run across April and May; if its program includes May dates, Teatro Amazonas is the place to catch a performance.

Crowds, costs and a local tip

If you hate crowds, May can feel calmer than August, one of the better months for visiting. It's also often less expensive than the drier high season, though prices vary by hotel and tour. Rain and humidity are the trade-off.

For a practical rainy-day plan, try tacacá near the Mercado Adolpho Lisboa. This hot broth with tucupi, manioc starch and jambu is a local favourite. The jambu makes your mouth tingle, and a covered market stop is easier to enjoy when showers roll through.