Cape Town in May
good · 9th of the 12 months that clear the bar
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The numbers
| Daily high | 19°C |
|---|---|
| Nightly low | 12°C |
| Feels like, afternoon | 17°C |
| Rainy days | 6 · 74 mm |
| Humidity | 80% |
| Sunshine | 8.7 h/day |
| Daylight | 10.2 h/day |
| Crowds | 85 / 100, higher is quieter |
Ten-year averages for this calendar month. A rainy day is one with at least 2 mm.
Public holidays in May
Holidays crowd a place out and push fares up around them; they count toward the crowd score above.
What May is known for
- Shoulder season — Early autumn, transitioning to cooler temperatures and less rainfall.
Written by a language model from the climate figures; the numbers above are measured and win where the two disagree.
What to pack
- Sun protection: about 9 hours of sunshine a day.
- Humidity averages 80%; breathable fabrics dry faster.
Each line is a threshold over the ten-year figures above, not advice from anywhere else.
Before you go
| Cost of living | cheap — prices run about 41% of the United States' (World Bank, 2025) |
|---|---|
| Currency | Rand |
| Languages | English, Afrikaans, Southern Ndebele, Northern Sotho |
| Plugs | Type C and D, 230 V |
| Driving | On the left |
| Emergency | 112 |
| Calling code | +27 |
| Travel advice | No advice against travel — UK Foreign Office, updated 2026-07-08 |
Health. Before you travel check that: you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation your destination can provide the healthcare you may need This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. Emergency medical number Dial 112 (from a mobile) or 10177 and ask for an ambulance. Contact your insurance or medical assistance company quick… More.
Facts from Wikidata (CC0), the UK Foreign Office (Open Government Licence) and the World Bank, refreshed 2026-09-23. The advisory is written for British travellers; entry rules depend on your passport.
The other months at Cape Town
- January good
- February sweet spot
- March sweet spot
- April sweet spot
- May
- June good
- July good
- August good
- September good
- October sweet spot
- November sweet spot
- December good
← April · All twelve months at Cape Town · June →
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