Suriname in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Suriname
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Lush jungle scenery at its peak - waterfalls are most spectacular with 380mm (15 inches) of rain creating powerful cascades
- River levels perfect for interior excursions - high water makes remote villages accessible by boat that are unreachable in dry season
- Lowest accommodation prices of the year - May falls in deep rainy season when international visitor numbers drop 60%
- Prime turtle nesting season begins - leatherback and green turtles start arriving at Galibi Nature Reserve beaches
Considerations
- Daily torrential downpours lasting 2-4 hours make outdoor planning difficult - rain typically starts between 2-4pm
- Many interior airstrips become unusable due to flooding - limits access to remote lodges and reduces flight reliability
- High humidity at 85% makes everything feel 5-7°C (9-13°F) hotter than actual temperature, causing discomfort for many visitors
Best Activities in May
Central Suriname Nature Reserve canopy walks and bird watching
May's constant moisture brings incredible bird activity during morning hours (5:30-9:30am) before daily rains. Over 400 species are active, including rare cock-of-the-rock displays. Elevated walkways keep you above muddy forest floors while offering spectacular views of mist-covered primary rainforest.
Paramaribo colonial architecture and museum tours
Rainy season is ideal for exploring UNESCO World Heritage downtown Paramaribo. Covered wooden sidewalks and Dutch colonial buildings provide shelter during afternoon downpours. Museums and historic buildings are air-conditioned escapes, and morning walking tours (7-11am) avoid both rain and peak heat.
Commewijne River plantation ruins expeditions
High water levels in May make boat access to remote 18th-century plantation ruins possible that are unreachable during dry months. River trips offer covered boats perfect for rainy season, and ruins provide historical shelter during sudden downpours. Wildlife viewing is excellent as animals gather at reliable water sources.
Galibi Nature Reserve turtle watching expeditions
Late May marks the beginning of peak turtle nesting season. Leatherback turtles start arriving for night-time beach nesting, and rainy season provides cooler sand temperatures preferred by nesting females. Evening tours avoid daytime heat and rain, offering incredible wildlife encounters under starry skies.
Brownsberg Nature Park waterfall hiking
May's heavy rainfall creates the most spectacular waterfall displays of the year. Leo and Irene Falls reach maximum flow, and dozens of seasonal waterfalls appear along hiking trails. Morning hikes (6-10am) avoid afternoon storms while still offering misty, dramatic scenery perfect for photography.
May Events & Festivals
Keti Koti Freedom Festival
July 1st preparations begin in May with community events, traditional music rehearsals, and cultural workshops throughout Paramaribo. Local markets feature traditional foods and crafts as communities prepare for Suriname's most important cultural celebration commemorating the abolition of slavery.