Sao Tome Weather in May

May: warm and wet

May feels warm, sticky and often cloudy. The high is 27°C, but rain falls on 24 days, and you'll see only a little daily sunshine. April is wetter; June is much drier, so May sits between the two.

You can still explore São Tomé city, including the Mercado Municipal, between showers. A warm swim is possible, but don't count on long, sunny beach days. Heavy rain can make unpaved roads muddy, so remote roças, or old plantation estates, may take more effort to reach.

Holidays and quieter days

May Day, on May 1, is a public holiday. Some offices and local services may close, so allow for a slower day if you're travelling then. There isn't a major May festival I can confidently point you to.

If you hate crowds, May is a quieter choice than the busier July and August season. Those are São Tomé's best months overall, with June already much drier than May. May may also bring gentler accommodation prices than peak season, though deals vary.

Make rain work for you

Travelling with kids? Keep city sights and cafés in your plans for wet spells, rather than relying on a full beach day.

For a practical local tip, ask about road conditions before heading to Roça São João dos Angolares. Rain can slow the journey, especially on rough stretches. Keep time in your day for the trip back, and enjoy the roça's food if you stop there. Even in a wet month, showers often leave room to get out and see the island.