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Arraial do Cabo
Arraial do Cabo · Rio de Janeiro Excellent time to visit Fall Shoulder season

Arraial do Cabo in May

Short answer

In May, Arraial do Cabo averages highs of 26 °C (79 °F) and lows of 20 °C (68 °F), with about 45 mm of rain spread over roughly 6 days. May is a dry month, good for outdoor plans. Crowds tend to be moderate this month.

Climate · INMET (updated 2026)
Most reviewed activity in Arraial do CaboArraial do Cabo Boat Trip★ 8.7 · 20 reviews · from US$ 56 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Temperature
26 / 20 °C
high / low
Rain
45 mm
6 days
Daylight
11h00
sunset at 17:14
Crowds
Moderate
1 public holiday

What to expect in Arraial do Cabo in May

Myllena Vieira, editor at Visite
Editor's tip

May brings fall to Arraial do Cabo. In Brazil the seasons are the reverse of those in the Northern Hemisphere. Temperatures are pleasant, with highs of 26 °C (79 °F) and nights that still call for a light jacket. Crowds sit somewhere in the middle, with peaks on public holidays. Outside those dates, you can enjoy the place at an easy pace and spend less. It also rains very little: this is one of the driest months of the year, good for anyone who wants an outdoor itinerary.

Myllena Vieira · Editor at Visite
Crowds
Crowd level: moderate

Moderate crowds, with peaks on public holidays. Outside those dates, you can enjoy the place at a calmer pace.

Prices
Rates: moderate · ~R$ 351

Moderate prices outside public holidays, which push rates and crowds up. The average nightly rate for lodging in Arraial do Cabo is around R$ 351 (Brazilian reais), depending on the date.

Tours and tickets

Things to do in Arraial do Cabo in May

booking on Civitatis
Arraial do Cabo Boat Trip
8.7· 20 reviews

Arraial do Cabo Boat Trip

On this boat trip around Arraial do Cabo you'll discover places such as the Ilha do Farol, Praia do Forno or the Blue Grotto.

4 h
from US$ 56
Book →
Arraial do Cabo Quad Tour
6· 4 reviews

Arraial do Cabo Quad Tour

If you're in Arraial do Cabo and you want to check out its main natural attractions in a fun and original way, don't miss this quad tour. You'll have a blast!

2 h
from US$ 99
Book →
Arraial do Cabo Buggy Tour
5· 2 reviews

Arraial do Cabo Buggy Tour

On this buggy tour of Arraial do Cabo, we'll drive through the charming spots of this coastal city of Rio de Janeiro and admire breathtaking landscapes!

2 h
from US$ 34
Book →
Arubinha Buggy Tour
10· 1 review

Arubinha Buggy Tour

Looking for an adrenaline rush? In this buggy tour in Arubinha we'll ride through the beautiful natural area of Arraial do Cabo next to Araruama Lagoon.

4 h
from US$ 118
Book →
Arraial do Cabo Diving Introduction
10· 1 review

Arraial do Cabo Diving Introduction

Explore the seabed that attracts divers from all over the world with this introduction to diving in Arraial do Cabo. The perfect place to learn!

3 h 30 min
from US$ 155
Book →
Arraial do Cabo Hiking Tour
10· 1 review

Arraial do Cabo Hiking Tour

Combine sport and nature in this hiking tour through the beaches and viewpoints of Arraial do Cabo. We'll enjoy the city from different perspectives

3 h
from US$ 24
Book →
See all activities in Arraial do Cabo
Where to stay

Hotels in Arraial do Cabo

In May, demand in Arraial do Cabo is moderate: most hotels have room, but public holidays fill them up. Compare rates and book a few weeks ahead.

Sophia 2 Residence Inn in Arraial do Cabo 9.5 ★★★★★ · 12 reviews Sophia 2 Residence Inn See on Booking → Mediterrane Hotel by Castelo Itaipava in Arraial do Cabo 8.4 ★★★★ · 42 reviews Mediterrane Hotel by Castelo Itaipava See on Booking → Pousada Porto Praia in Arraial do Cabo 8.4 ★★★ · 17 reviews Pousada Porto Praia See on Booking → Pousada da Prainha in Arraial do Cabo 10 ★★★★ · 1 review Pousada da Prainha See on Booking →
See all hotels in Arraial do Cabo

Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.

What happens in May

No major fixed festivals in May, but public holidays (Labor Day) bring more people to the destination.

Public holidays in May: Labor Day (01/05). Expect more people and higher prices around these dates.

What to pack in May

Light clothing for the day · highs of 26 °C (79 °F) Sunscreen and sunglasses · strong sun on the tours Quick-dry clothing · humidity of 81% Comfortable walking shoes · you will be on foot much of the day
Looking for better weather?

Where the weather is good in May

These destinations have the best weather comfort for May, scored with the same calculation of rain, heat and humidity. Tap to see what the month is like in each one.

Belo Horizonte 88
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Minas Gerais · see May →
Brasília 88
Brasília
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Brumadinho 88
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Minas Gerais · see May →
Mariana 88
Mariana
Minas Gerais · see May →
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Torn between Arraial do Cabo and another destination?

See Arraial do Cabo next to the destinations that usually compete for the same trip: month-by-month weather, driving cost, ideal length of stay and travel style, side by side.

Arraial do Cabo or Búzios? Arraial do Cabo or Paraty? Arraial do Cabo or Rio de Janeiro?
see all comparisons →

Questions about Arraial do Cabo in May

What is the weather like in Arraial do Cabo in May?
In May, Arraial do Cabo averages highs of 26 °C (79 °F) and lows of 20 °C (68 °F), with about 45 mm of rain spread over roughly 6 days. May is a dry month, good for outdoor plans. Crowds tend to be moderate this month.
Does it rain a lot in Arraial do Cabo in May?
In May, Arraial do Cabo gets about 45 mm of rain spread over around 6 rainy days, in line with the average rainfall for the year. It is a dry month, with little chance of rain spoiling your plans.
Is May high season in Arraial do Cabo?
Crowds in May tend to be moderate. Moderate prices outside public holidays, which push rates and crowds up.
What is happening in Arraial do Cabo in May?
No major fixed festivals in May, but public holidays (Labor Day) bring more people to the destination.
Does it usually rain all day in Arraial do Cabo in May?
INMET's climate normals record the number of rainy days and the total millimeters, not the hours of each day, so they do not say how long the rain lasts. What they show for Arraial do Cabo in May: 6 rainy days in a month of 31 days (about 19% of the days) and 45 mm over the month, which works out to an average of about 8 mm per rainy day. Compared with the rest of the year, May falls within the destination's average rainfall. It is a dry month, with little chance of rain spoiling your plans.
What is the temperature in Arraial do Cabo in May, and what should you pack?
According to INMET's climate normals, the average high in Arraial do Cabo in May is 26 °C and the average low is 20 °C, with air humidity of around 81%. Compared with the rest of the year, the temperature in May is typical for the destination. For your suitcase, here is what those numbers call for: light clothing for the day; sunscreen and sunglasses; quick-dry clothing.
Is Arraial do Cabo worth visiting in May?
Excellent time to visit. On our weather comfort index, which weighs rain, heat and humidity from INMET's climate normals, May scores 72 out of 100 and ranks No. 4 among the 12 months. The most comfortable month is July (76) and the least comfortable is December (54). As for crowds, in May they tend to be moderate.
April see the full year June