Quick answer
Reviewed · 3 min read
May starts the best season for two of our specialties. French Polynesia enters its dry season, often with better availability than July and August, and Southern Africa’s dry season begins in the Greater Kruger and Botswana. Santorini and the Amalfi Coast are warm before peak crowds, and Bali’s dry season is underway.
Researched and maintained by Empyrean Travel · How we research
- Top beach pick
- Bora Bora (dry season begins)
- Top safari pick
- Kruger & Sabi Sand (dry season begins)
- Top city pick
- London (late spring)
- Best for corporate travel
- Schedule Japan after Golden Week (ends May 5)
- Book by
- French Polynesia 6–9 months ahead
Best places to travel in May
Bora Bora
French Polynesia · Dry season begins
Clear lagoons, lower humidity, and often better bungalow availability than the July–August peak.
ExploreKruger & Sabi Sand
South Africa · Start of dry season
Thinning bush makes leopards and the Big Five easier to spot from open vehicles in private reserves.
ExploreOkavango Delta
Botswana · Flood season building
The annual floodwaters typically spread through the Delta by mid-year, opening the best stretch for mokoro trips.
ExploreSantorini
Greece · Warm, before peak crowds
Caldera sunsets and open seasonal restaurants without July’s crowds.
ExploreAmalfi Coast
Italy · Late spring
Lemon groves, boat days, and cliffside hotels in full swing at shoulder-season pace.
ExploreBali
Indonesia · Dry season
The dry season typically runs from about April to October, good for beaches, rice terraces, and temples.
ExploreLondon
UK · Late spring
Long days, gardens in bloom, and the Chelsea Flower Show, typically in late May.
ExploreKyoto
Japan · After Golden Week
Mid-to-late May is green, mild, and quieter than blossom season, before the June rains.
Explore
Why is May good for French Polynesia and Southern Africa?
May marks the switch to French Polynesia’s dry season, which typically runs through October. Humidity drops, trade winds keep things comfortable, and the lagoons of Bora Bora and Moorea are at their clearest. Because it’s before the July–August rush, May often has better overwater-bungalow availability. See our guide to the best time to visit French Polynesia.
In Southern Africa, the rains have ended and the bush starts to thin, making game easier to spot in the Greater Kruger and Botswana. Some lodges still charge shoulder-season rates in May before peak pricing begins.
What should you avoid in May?
May is a forgiving month, with a few exceptions.
- Golden Week in Japan (typically April 29 to May 5): plan Japan for mid-to-late May instead.
- Maldives and Phuket: the southwest monsoon typically arrives in May, bringing more rain and rougher seas.
- Dubai and Egypt: daytime heat makes sightseeing hard from May onward.
- East Africa: the long rains often linger into May, and some camps stay closed until June.
- Memorial Day weekend (last Monday in May) crowds U.S. airports and resorts.
What should business travelers know about May?
The Cannes Film Festival typically runs in mid-May and fills the French Riviera, which matters for entertainment and production travel. In Asia, Computex typically brings the tech hardware industry to Taipei in late May or early June.
Japanese offices largely close for Golden Week, so plan Tokyo meetings from the second week of May. May is also popular for offsites in Europe before summer pricing; our guide to planning an international offsite covers the details.
How far ahead should you book May travel?
For French Polynesia, 6–9 months ahead gives you the widest choice of overwater bungalows, especially on Bora Bora. Southern Africa lodges in May are often bookable 4–6 months out, though small camps in Botswana fill earlier. For Santorini and the Amalfi Coast, book 4–6 months ahead for the best rooms.
Frequently asked questions
Is May a good time to visit Bora Bora?
Is May a good time for a safari?
Is Japan crowded in May?
Is May too early for the Mediterranean?
Official sources
Rules, fees and schedules change — confirm the latest details at the source before you travel.