Pantanal weather in May

May in Pantanal: warm, a little rain, with clean air — one of the best months to visit.

Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis

Pantanal🇧🇷 Brazil · Central Brazil & the Chaco · National park80
  1. 51Jan
  2. 56Feb
  3. 60Mar
  4. 68Apr
  5. 80May
  6. 79Jun
  7. 83Jul
  8. 70Aug
  9. 52Sep
  10. 46Oct
  11. 49Nov
  12. 45Dec

#2 of 12 months in Pantanal · #744 of 1413 destinations to visit in May · comfort 80/100 (tier A)

Days
29°C
Nights
19°C
Wet days
6
Sun
9.4 h
Humidity
69%
Daylight
11 h
Pantanal, Brazil
Photo: Alicia Yo · CC BY-SA 3.0

Traveller notes on Pantanal in May

Other months in Pantanal

Pantanal-forum threads on a November visit describe rain as genuinely still limited, posters naming just one to two hours a day even as the wet season begins to set in. Regulars call mosquitoes genuinely more noticeable by November, several posters naming this a real tradeoff against improving visibility as trees green up after the dry months. Posters call birdwatching genuinely strong this time of year, several regulars naming migratory species as a real draw for anyone visiting in November specifically. Regulars call roads genuinely still passable despite the season shifting, several threads naming this a real advantage over later, wetter months when access gets harder. Posters recommend a minimum three-day visit regardless of exact dates, several regulars calling this standard given how much there is to see even in a shoulder month. The record: 34.4C days, 24.2C nights, 84.4mm across nearly 10 days and 54 percent humidity.
PantanalNovemberRegular · November · 3 days ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗
Pantanal-forum threads on a July visit describe this as genuinely dry season, posters naming cooler temperatures and far fewer insects as real advantages over the wetter months. Regulars call July particularly strong for birding, several posters naming this a real tradeoff against mammal and reptile sightings, which tend to peak slightly later in the dry season. Posters call wildlife genuinely concentrated around shrinking water sources by July, several regulars naming this the reason sightings generally improve as the dry season progresses. Regulars call early July still noticeably quieter than the August-October peak, several threads naming this a real advantage for anyone wanting fewer tourists alongside good wildlife odds. Posters recommend layering for cool mornings that warm up fast, several regulars calling this standard given the real temperature swing through a July day. The record: 29.6C days, 18.1C nights, 8.4mm across under 2 days and 60 percent humidity.
PantanalJulyRegular · July · 3 days ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗
Pantanal-forum threads on a January visit describe this as genuinely deep wet season, posters naming flooded roads and tracks as a real reason many lodges limit access this time of year. Regulars call real heat and humidity a standard January combination, several posters naming this the reason most operators steer visitors toward drier months instead. Posters call birdlife still genuinely abundant despite the rains, several regulars naming January a real option for anyone prioritizing greenery and water levels over easy road access. Regulars call boat-based exploration a real necessity once flooding sets in, several threads describing this as the only reliable way to reach many areas in January. Posters recommend checking specific lodge accessibility before booking, several regulars calling this standard given how much conditions vary by property. The record: 32.8C days, 24.8C nights, an extraordinarily high 150.7mm across 17 days and 74 percent humidity.
PantanalJanuaryRegular · January · 3 days ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗
Pantanal-forum trip reports on a September visit describe this as genuinely peak jaguar season, one September 2024 report documenting twenty-three different jaguars sighted across four days from Porto Jofre. Regulars call conditions here genuinely intense by September, several posters warning readings can reach the high thirties even as the landscape stays notably parched this late in the season. Posters call zero sightings in a day terribly unlucky during July through September, several regulars naming three to four as an average day and five to seven as a real excellent one. Regulars call late September a real turning point, several threads warning the wetter months begin creeping back in by the second half of the month. Posters recommend real sun protection and serious hydration for a September boat safari, several regulars calling this standard advice for the peak of the dry stretch here. The record: 34.3C days, 22.7C nights, 30.1mm across nearly 3 days and 58 percent humidity.
PantanalSeptemberRegular · September · 3 days ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗

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Pantanal climate normals — May

Daytime high29°C / 83°F🌤 warm
Nighttime low19°C / 67°F
Rainfall38 mm / 1.5 in🌦 some rain
Rainy days6 days
Humidity69%💧 humid
Dew point17°C / 62°F
Sunshine9.4 h/day
Daylight11.2 h
Wind15 km/h / 10 mph
Air quality (US AQI)32🍃 good

Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.

Crowds in Pantanal in May

How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.

Busyone of its best months for weather(estimated)

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Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet

Best months for Pantanal's weather

Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).

Best weatherPantanal's weather peaks May–July.

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Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather

Where is Pantanal?

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Pantanal in May — FAQ

Is May a good time to visit Pantanal?
May in Pantanal: warm, a little rain, with clean air — one of the best months to visit. It ranks #2 of 12 months for Pantanal on SeasonMap's comfort score (80/100).
What is the weather like in Pantanal in May?
In May, Pantanal averages a daily high of 28.6°C and a low of 19.4°C, with about 37.9 mm of rain over roughly 5.6 rainy days.
What is the air quality in Pantanal in May?
Pantanal has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 32 in May.