May: Shoulder Season Excellence
May is shoulder season almost everywhere worth going, and that is exactly why I love it. European cities are warm enough for outdoor dining and walking tours but not yet at the July-August boiling point. The Mediterranean coast is swimmable. Southeast Asia is transitioning into its green season, which means lower prices and fewer crowds at temples and beaches that will be packed again by December.
The biggest advantage of May travel is pricing. It sits between the spring break surge and the summer peak, which means flights and hotels across Europe, the Middle East, and much of Asia are at their lowest warm-weather prices. We went to Italy in May once and the difference in crowds at the Colosseum and Pompeii compared to our September visit was dramatic. Same weather, half the people, lower prices.
For divers, May is when the Galapagos hits peak conditions for large marine life encounters. Whale sharks appear around Koh Tao in Thailand. The Red Sea maintains its year-round excellence. If underwater experiences are your thing, May offers a strong portfolio of options.
Here are the destinations I would build a May trip around and the specific conditions that make each one worthwhile.
OPTIMAL DESTINATIONS
| Destination | Why May | Conditions |
| Indonesia (all regions) | Peak dry season begins | Perfect for temples & volcanoes |
| Whitsundays, Australia | Excellent sailing weather | Before stinger season peaks |
| Switzerland (Verzasca Valley) | Spring mountain weather | Perfect hiking conditions |
| Czech Republic | Beautiful spring weather | Ideal for Prague |
| Nepal | Pre-monsoon clarity | Clear mountain views |
| West Canada | Spring emergence | Good weather begins |
| Peru | Continued dry season | Excellent for Andes |
| Jordan | Still excellent | Before summer heat |
| Botswana | Dry season excellent | Great wildlife viewing |
| Australia | Autumn continues | Perfect temperatures |
PRIME DIVING CONDITIONS
- Sipadan, Malaysia – Peak season begins
- Komodo, Indonesia – Excellent visibility
- Tubbataha Reefs – Continues peak season
- Sardine Run, South Africa – Begins
- Cenotes, Mexico – Perfect conditions
CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS
- Nepal – Clear mountain views for trekking
- Czech Republic – Perfect weather for cities
- Indonesia – Ideal temple exploration weather
Gear and Guides We Recommend
Planning a trip based on these recommendations? Here are some items we find essential:
- European rail travel guide
- memory foam neck pillow
- Kindle Paperwhite for travel
- packing cube set
- universal travel adapter
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Written by Jenna Fattah
I have visited 25+ countries across 6 continents, attended 7 Formula 1 races, and spent 4 years writing about what actually works and what I would do differently. Every recommendation on this site comes from trips I planned and paid for myself. Read more about me