Cape Verde in May: ✅ one of the best months of the year. It is still the dry season (0.5 mm (0.02 in) of rain on average in Sal, 0.3 mm (0.01 in) in Praia), temperatures rise gently (26 °C (79 °F) in the afternoon in Sal, almost 29 °C (84 °F) in Praia) and the trade winds ease compared with winter.
This page covers the weather in Cape Verde in May island by island, what May changes compared with April and June, and what you can do. For the view across the whole year, see our page on when to go to Cape Verde.
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Cape Verde in May: key facts
- Verdict: ✅ dry, sunny, mild nights
- Sal: 26.1 °C (79 °F) in the afternoon, 20.6 °C (69 °F) at night, 0.5 mm (0.02 in) of rain
- Praia (Santiago): 28.7 °C (84 °F), the warmest of the three stations
- Wind: trade winds still present but weaker than in winter
- Event: Gamboa music festival in Praia, usually in May
- Time difference: in May, 2 hours behind London (BST) and 3 hours ahead of New York (EDT)
Weather in Cape Verde in May
The archipelago is under the influence of the north-east trade winds, which dry the air and temper the heat. In May, the dry haze from the Sahara, frequent in winter, becomes rarer, and the rainy season (August to October) is still far off. The three official stations show small differences, linked mostly to latitude and terrain.
| Station | Islands covered | Max | Min | Day/night gap | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sal (Amílcar Cabral airport) | Sal, Boa Vista | 26.1 °C (79 °F) | 20.6 °C (69 °F) | 5.5 °C (10 °F) | 0.5 mm (0.02 in) |
| Praia (Santiago) | Santiago, Fogo | 28.7 °C (84 °F) | 20.9 °C (70 °F) | 7.8 °C (14 °F) | 0.3 mm (0.01 in) |
| Mindelo (São Vicente) | São Vicente, Santo Antão | 25.8 °C (78 °F) | 21.8 °C (71 °F) | 4.0 °C (7 °F) | – |
Destination de Voyage calculation based on these normals: in May, the gap between day and night does not exceed 8 °C (14 °F) in Praia and 4 °C (7 °F) in Mindelo, compared with more than 15 °C (27 °F) in a continental desert: nights stay mild everywhere. Praia is about 2.6 °C (5 °F) warmer than Sal in the afternoon, and Mindelo is the mildest. With less than 1 mm (0.04 in) of rain over the month, the chance of a day spoiled by rain is very low.
May compared with April and June
| Month | Sal | Praia | Mindelo |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 25.5 / 19.6 °C (78 / 67 °F) – 1.0 mm (0.04 in) | 28.1 / 20.3 °C (83 / 69 °F) – 0.0 mm (0.0 in) | 24.9 / 20.8 °C (77 / 69 °F) |
| May | 26.1 / 20.6 °C (79 / 69 °F) – 0.5 mm (0.02 in) | 28.7 / 20.9 °C (84 / 70 °F) – 0.3 mm (0.01 in) | 25.8 / 21.8 °C (78 / 71 °F) |
| June | 27.0 / 21.6 °C (81 / 71 °F) – 0.0 mm (0.0 in) | 29.5 / 21.9 °C (85 / 71 °F) – 0.0 mm (0.0 in) | 26.5 / 22.6 °C (80 / 73 °F) |
Between April and June, maximum temperatures gain about 1.5 °C (3 °F) at each station and nights about 2 °C (4 °F): May is the transition month, warmer than spring without reaching the humid heat of late summer. Our page Cape Verde in April covers the previous month, which is windier still.
Which island to choose in May
- Sal and Boa Vista: pale sand beaches, turquoise sea, more moderate wind than in winter; the logical choice for a beach stay. Kitesurfing schools remain active, but the best wind months are December to April.
- Santiago (Praia, Cidade Velha, Tarrafal): the warmest of the three stations; May suits culture and hikes in the interior.
- São Vicente and Santo Antão: Mindelo is the mildest station; neighbouring Santo Antão is good for hikes in the terraced valleys, setting off early.
- Fogo: climbing Pico do Fogo (about 2,830 m (9,285 ft)), for walkers in very good physical condition; cool nights at altitude.
Things to do in Cape Verde in May
- Beach and relaxing at Santa Maria (Sal) or on the long beaches of Boa Vista, using lifeguarded beaches: tides and currents around the islands are very strong: use beaches with a lifeguard on duty and respect the warning flags (UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 28 July 2026).
- Hiking on Santo Antão and Fogo, before the summer heat.
- Music: mornas and coladeiras in the bars of Mindelo and Praia; the Gamboa festival is usually held in May in Praia.
- Diving: possible with a dive club.
Events in May
The Gamboa music festival is usually held in May in Praia (Santiago island). Dates change every year: check them with the organisers or the Cape Verde tourist office before booking.
What to pack for Cape Verde in May
- Light clothes and a windbreaker for windy evenings
- Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses: the sun is intense
- Hiking shoes for Santo Antão or Fogo
- A light sweater for altitude
- Water shoes for rocky beaches
Entry, safety and time difference
For visa-free stays, passport validity and pre-arrival registration, see our guide to the entry requirements for Cape Verde.
On safety, the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 28 July 2026) says the crime rate in Cape Verde is generally low but can include pickpocketing, bag snatching, burglary and muggings, particularly in Praia and on Sal and Boa Vista; it advises against isolated areas after dark and beaches with limited visibility. Time difference in May: Cape Verde is on UTC−1 all year, so it is 2 hours behind London (British Summer Time, UTC+1) and 3 hours ahead of New York (daylight time, UTC−4).
If May does not suit you
Neighbouring months: Cape Verde in April is just as dry, a little cooler and windier; June stays dry (0 mm in Sal and Praia) and a little warmer (27 °C (81 °F) in Sal). For a warmer sea, see Cape Verde in October.
Other destinations in May: Bali in May, at the start of the dry season, or Thailand in May for the Gulf coast. All our ideas: where to go in May. To plan your stay: our Cape Verde travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Cape Verde in May?
Dry and sunny: 26.1 °C (79 °F) in the afternoon and 20.6 °C (69 °F) at night in Sal, 28.7 °C (84 °F) in Praia, and less than 1 mm (0.04 in) of rain on average according to the 1991-2020 normals.
Is May a good month for Cape Verde?
Yes: it is the dry season, rain is almost nil and nights stay mild (20.6 °C (69 °F) in Sal).
Is it windy in Cape Verde in May?
Yes, the north-east trade winds still blow, especially on the flat islands of Sal and Boa Vista. Tides and currents around the islands are very strong, so use lifeguarded beaches for swimming and water sports (UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 28 July 2026).
Which island should you choose in May?
Sal or Boa Vista for the beach, Santo Antão for hiking, Santiago for culture and the Gamboa festival.
What are the entry requirements for Cape Verde?
They depend on your nationality. See our guide to the entry requirements for Cape Verde, and check the latest rules with the official sources before you travel.
Our sources
- World Meteorological Organization, 1991-2020 climate normals (NOAA NCEI archive): stations of Sal (Amílcar Cabral airport), Praia and Mindelo
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Cape Verde (GOV.UK, updated 28 July 2026, read on 11 November 2026)
- Clock-change rules: GOV.UK, When do the clocks change and NIST, Daylight Saving Time; Cape Verde time zone (UTC−1, no daylight saving time): IANA time zone database, read on 11 November 2026
- Data taken from our page on when to go to Cape Verde
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.