The beginning of the wetter season brings more frequent afternoon showers and higher humidity. Airfares and accommodation may be slightly cheaper than peak dry-season months.
Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons
Average daily low and high (°C) and monthly rainfall. The badge shows how it feels, allowing for humidity.
Average temperature across Haiti in May.
Nord and Nord-Est
Late May marks the start of noticeably wetter weather, with afternoon storms arriving more frequently across the Nord region and some thunder along the coast. The hills behind Cap-Haïtien green up, and waterfalls on routes toward the Cordillera mountains run fuller - a good time for photography if you don’t mind muddy trails. Keep an eye on forecasts during travel; heavy rain can delay ferries and rural roads are prone to potholes.
Ouest and Plaine du Cul-de-Sac
May signals the start of the wetter season and Port-au-Prince sees more frequent heavy showers and humid, sultry days that linger into the evening. Urban flooding becomes a real inconvenience on some avenues; taxis and moto-taxis may be slower and some neighborhoods see temporary water pooling. If visiting museums or galleries, use mid-morning hours which are often clearer before afternoon storms.
rice plains and floodplain
May is the wet-season onset: showers grow more frequent and rivers feeding the Artibonite begin to rise. Local roads flood more readily and smaller bridges can be cut off after heavy storms - plan extra travel time. It’s a dramatic month for landscape photographers as paddies start filling and birdlife increases, but be prepared for muddy conditions.
Tiburon Peninsula and Île-à-Vache
May marks the shift to more frequent showers and rising humidity across the peninsula; coastal excursions become more likely to be interrupted by afternoon thunderstorms. Île-à-Vache’s inns may reduce services in the shoulder season, so confirm boat schedules in advance. Rain rejuvenates the inland coffee and cacao plots around Jacmel, making rural drives greener though muddier.
Massif de la Selle, Kenscoff, Pic la Selle
May marks the start of wetter conditions in the highlands; fog and cloud cover become frequent and sustained rain can make higher paths challenging. Coffee and fruit trees benefit, producing lush greens, but expect heavy soil and limited long-distance visibility. Travel times from Port-au-Prince can increase as rural roads get softer and steeper sections become more treacherous after downpours.
There are no major festivals or events in Haiti during May to be aware of.
See how May compares with the rest of the year, then read the full guide.