How warm is Guatemala's Caribbean coast in May?

Typical highs are about 88°F and the sea is about 88°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.

Is there sargassum in Guatemala's Caribbean coast in May?

In a typical year seaweed is high in May. It is usually lightest in January and July and heaviest in September and October. Landings vary a lot by year, wind and currents; Veabird's weekly sargassum report and each beach's page have the current forecast.

Is May hurricane season in Guatemala's Caribbean coast?

No. Storm risk is very low in May.

How crowded is Guatemala's Caribbean coast in May?

Typically moderate, around Memorial Day weekend. The quietest months are usually September and October.

Guatemala's Caribbean coast in May

May is a middling month for Guatemala's Caribbean coast: a typical day grades C, the 8th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 88°F, water around 88°F and about a 62% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually high in May. Beaches are typically moderate (Memorial Day weekend).

Typical dayC8th of 12 months

Highs / water88°FSea 88°F

Rain chance62%on a given day

SeaweedHightypical year

CrowdsModerateMemorial Day weekend

Storm riskVery lowoutside storm season

Guatemala's Caribbean coast month by month

Typical grade and high for each month. Higher is better: A+ to F.

April: C · May: C · June: C-. The best months are usually January, February and December, and the weakest are August and September.

Best beaches in Guatemala's Caribbean coast in May

Resorts with the best typical May, and their grades for the next few days.

Beach	Typical May	Seaweed	This week
Villa Caribe	C+	High	SatDSunDMonDTueDWedD+
Livingston Beach Resorts	C+	Very high	SatD-SunFMonD-TueD-WedD
Livingston Resort Hotel	C	High	SatCSunCMonCTueCWedC
Beya Suites	C	Very high	SatCSunCMonCTueCWedC+

Grades for the next few days from Veabird's beach forecast, updated Oct 3, 18:00 UTC. Higher is better: A+ to F.

Better beach options in May

Elsewhere in Central & South America, Belize (A-), Roatán & the Bay Islands (B+) and the Corn Islands (B+) usually grade higher in May. Further afield: Puerto Vallarta (A), Los Cabos (A) and Maui (A). Every destination in May.

Questions

Is May a good time to visit Guatemala's Caribbean coast?: May is a middling month for Guatemala's Caribbean coast: a typical day grades C, the 8th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 88°F, water around 88°F and about a 62% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually high in May. Beaches are typically moderate (Memorial Day weekend).
How warm is Guatemala's Caribbean coast in May?: Typical highs are about 88°F and the sea is about 88°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.
Is there sargassum in Guatemala's Caribbean coast in May?: In a typical year seaweed is high in May. It is usually lightest in January and July and heaviest in September and October. Landings vary a lot by year, wind and currents; Veabird's weekly sargassum report and each beach's page have the current forecast.
Is May hurricane season in Guatemala's Caribbean coast?: No. Storm risk is very low in May.
How crowded is Guatemala's Caribbean coast in May?: Typically moderate, around Memorial Day weekend. The quietest months are usually September and October.

Plan it

Guatemala Caribbean: this week's forecast, beach by beach
Sargassum Report: this week, updated every Monday
Compare dates and beaches on the map

Typical-month numbers from Veabird's year-ahead outlook for the 4 resorts here (median resort): 6 years of ERA5 climate normals, the seasonal pattern of the Atlantic sargassum belt, holiday crowd calendars and historical storm tracks. Any given year can differ; check the 16-day forecast before you go.