Best time to cruise · Good time to go
Mexican Riviera & Baja cruises in May
May is hot and dry, with clear skies and warming water ideal for snorkeling at Santa María Bay near Cabo or Los Arcos off Puerto Vallarta. Crowds thin and fares soften as some ships head north for the Alaska season. The eastern Pacific hurricane season begins mid-month, though early storms rarely affect cruise ports this soon.
- Good time to go
- Avg high 86°F
- 13 hrs daylight
Photo: Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mexican Riviera & Baja in May: Good time to go
May is hot and dry, with clear skies and warming water ideal for snorkeling at Santa María Bay near Cabo or Los Arcos off Puerto Vallarta. Crowds thin and fares soften as some ships head north for the Alaska season. The eastern Pacific hurricane season begins mid-month, though early storms rarely affect cruise ports this soon.
Across Mexican Riviera & Baja cruise ports, May brings average highs around 86°F (30°C) and lows near 71°F, with about 0.8 inches of rain over the month and roughly 13 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Good time to go
- Season
- Year-round; best November to April. Whale watching December to March; Pacific hurricane season mid-May to November 30.
- Average high / low
- 86°F / 71°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 0.8 in
- Daylight
- About 13 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 3 to 5 nights for Baja; 7 nights for the Mexican Riviera
What to pack: light, breathable clothes, swimwear, a sun hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen, plus a light layer for air-conditioned rooms.
How May compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: Best time to go
- Feb: Best time to go
- Mar: Best time to go
- Apr: Good time to go
- May: Good time to go
- Jun: Shoulder season
- Jul: Shoulder season
- Aug: Shoulder season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Good time to go
- Nov: Best time to go
- Dec: Best time to go
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Mexican Riviera & Baja weather in May
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 8027 | 8127 | 8228 | 8529 | 8630 | 8731 | 8831 | 8831 | 8731 | 8630 | 8329 | 8027 |
| Low °F (°C) | 6719 | 6619 | 6720 | 6921 | 7122 | 7424 | 7725 | 7826 | 7825 | 7624 | 7222 | 6820 |
| Rain in (mm) | 1.024 | 1.025 | 0.922 | 0.37 | 0.820 | 3.692 | 3.692 | 6.0153 | 6.4163 | 3.794 | 1.025 | 1.025 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 |
May weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabo San Lucas | 83°F | 69°F | 0.1 in | 13 h |
| Puerto Vallarta | 102°F | 77°F | 0.8 in | 13 h |
| Mazatlán | 87°F | 76°F | 0.2 in | 13 h |
| Ensenada | 71°F | 58°F | 0.4 in | 14 h |
| La Paz | 92°F | 69°F | 0.1 in | 13 h |
| Loreto | 89°F | 70°F | 0.0 in | 13 h |
| Catalina Island | 65°F | 58°F | 0.4 in | 14 h |
| Manzanillo | 89°F | 77°F | 0.9 in | 13 h |
| Huatulco | 101°F | 81°F | 2.6 in | 13 h |
| Zihuatanejo & Ixtapa | 94°F | 81°F | 1.5 in | 13 h |
| Acapulco | 96°F | 80°F | 2.4 in | 13 h |
| Los Angeles | 65°F | 58°F | 0.4 in | 14 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in May
Mexican Riviera & Baja in May: FAQs
Is May a good time to cruise Mexican Riviera & Baja?
Yes, it's a good month. May is hot and dry, with clear skies and warming water ideal for snorkeling at Santa María Bay near Cabo or Los Arcos off Puerto Vallarta. Crowds thin and fares soften as some ships head north for the Alaska season. The eastern Pacific hurricane season begins mid-month, though early storms rarely affect cruise ports this soon.
What is the weather like on a Mexican Riviera & Baja cruise in May?
Across Mexican Riviera & Baja cruise ports, May brings average highs around 86°F (30°C) and lows near 71°F, with about 0.8 inches of rain over the month and roughly 13 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Mexican Riviera & Baja cruise in May?
Pack light, breathable clothes, swimwear, a sun hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen, plus a light layer for air-conditioned rooms. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Mexican Riviera & Baja?
Year-round; best November to April. Whale watching December to March; Pacific hurricane season mid-May to November 30.. The best months are usually January, February, March, November, December.
Where else can I cruise in May?
May is also a top month for Bahamas, Bermuda, Hawaii, Pacific Coastal, Galápagos Islands.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.