Best May Travel Deals: Where To Go This Spring

what are good travel deals for may

May is a great time to travel, with mild weather and cheap prices. If you're looking for a sunny beach vacation, consider the Caribbean or Punta Cana. For something more active, Switzerland and Iceland offer great outdoor adventures in their respective mountainous and geological landscapes. If you're a music lover, Nashville is the place to be, with its rich history and lively atmosphere. For ancient historical sites, Greece and its islands are ideal in May, with comfortable temperatures and fewer tourists. For something closer to home, Boston and Halifax offer a mix of history, culture, and entertainment. So start planning your May getaway now and take advantage of the great deals and destinations available!

Characteristics Values
Good weather Mild, warm, balmy, not too hot
Cheap prices Lower prices before summer rush
Fewer tourists Shorter lines at attractions
Destinations Caribbean, Portugal, Brazil, South Africa, Greece, Switzerland, Iceland, Australia, Punta Cana, Victoria, Nashville, Boston, British Columbia, Halifax

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Cheap Caribbean cruise

With over 7,000 islands to explore, the Caribbean is an exciting destination for travellers seeking fun and sun. The best time to find cheap cruises to the Caribbean is between November and April, when the weather is cooler but still pleasant.

Finding the Best Deals

The best way to find cheap cruises is to sort your search results by price, look for discounted cruises in search results, and be flexible with dates and length of stay. Booking in advance is also a great way to find better deals.

Ports and Departure Points

Most Caribbean cruises depart from Florida, with other options including Texas, California, and New York. Popular ports include:

  • Belize City, Belize
  • Cozumel, Mexico
  • San Juan, Puerto Rico
  • Mahogany Bay, Roatan
  • Philipsburg (St. Maarten)
  • Oranjestad, Aruba
  • Grand Turk
  • Amber Cove
  • Nassau

Cruise Lines

Several cruise lines offer Caribbean cruises, including:

  • Royal Caribbean
  • MSC
  • Carnival
  • Disney
  • Princess
  • Celebrity
  • Norwegian

Activities and Attractions

The Caribbean is known for its beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters, and lush vegetation. Popular activities include:

  • Swimming
  • Snorkelling
  • Scuba diving
  • Exploring cathedrals, forts, museums, and markets
  • Visiting Sulphur Springs volcano in St. Lucia
  • Exploring Harrison's Cave in Barbados
  • Stingray City in Grand Cayman

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Portugal's pleasant weather

Portugal is known for its pleasant weather in May, with temperatures ranging from mild to warm and plenty of sunshine. With 9 hours of sunshine per day, you will likely feel warm or hot during the day, especially at the tourist highlights. The average temperature range is 14–22°C (57–71°F), but it can go up to 26°C in some areas. The southern region of Portugal, including the Algarve, experiences the beginning of summer-like weather, with daytime averages ranging from approximately 22°C to 26°C. Evenings can be slightly chilly, with temperatures ranging from 12°C to 18°C.

May is a great month to visit Portugal as it offers an ideal blend of favourable weather and fewer crowds. It is a perfect time for extended hikes amid green vegetation and flowers, beach outings, and touring Portugal's urban and historical attractions. The Fatima Pilgrimage, the Madeira Flower Festival, and the Imaginarius International Street Theater Festival are some of the events that take place in May.

Northern Portugal has an Atlantic oceanic climate, with more storms, moderate rainfall, and cooler temperatures. Central and southern Portugal, including the Algarve and the Alentejo region, experience Mediterranean-like weather with warmer, sunnier, and drier conditions. Madeira Island, on the other hand, enjoys a pleasant subtropical climate, with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 24°C and about 7 hours of sunshine per day.

Overall, May is a fantastic time to travel to Portugal, with its sunny days, mild temperatures, blossoming landscapes, and cultural happenings. It is a great time to explore the country's natural wonders, historical sites, and vibrant cities without the peak-season hustle and bustle.

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Brazil's vibrant cities

Brazil is a country of diversity and multiculturalism, with vibrant cities, samba rhythms, and diverse landscapes. It is the largest country in South America and the only one with Portuguese as its primary language. The majority of the Amazon Rainforest lies in Brazil, and the country also boasts an extensive coastline. Here are some of Brazil's vibrant cities:

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's former capital, is probably the country's most iconic city. Known for its famous beaches, such as Copacabana and Ipanema, its Sugarloaf Mountain, and the statue of Christ the Redeemer, it is one of the most spectacular cities globally and a great place to experience authentic Brazilian culture. The well-known south of Rio de Janeiro holds the most highlights for visitors, including the spectacular beaches, the Cristo Redentor, and the Tijuca National Park, one of the largest urban forests in the world. The city also has a lively nightlife and a rich cultural scene, with samba music and dance being an integral part of the local lifestyle.

São Paulo

São Paulo, Brazil's largest city, is a bustling metropolis with a population of over 11 million. It attracts "urban explorers" with its thriving arts and cultural scene, excellent food, and vibrant nightlife. Among the nicest areas is Vila Madalena, with its trendy cafes, unique boutiques, artists' studios, and thrilling nightlife. São Paulo also boasts impressive modern architecture, such as the buildings designed by the famous architect Oscar Niemeyer along the Eixo Monumental. The Museu de Arte de São Paulo, Brazil's most important art museum, is a must-visit, with its important collection of sculptures and paintings.

Brasília

Brasília, Brazil's capital, is an impressive example of urban development and modern architecture. The city was designed in the 1960s by the modernist architect Oscar Niemeyer and impresses with its monumental buildings and avant-garde urban design. Many of the city's famous buildings are located along the Eixo Monumental, the central 8-kilometer-long east-west axis, including the Brasília Cathedral, the Itamaraty Palace, and the National Congress. Brasília is a planned city, and its modern architecture earned it UNESCO World Heritage status in 1987 and the title of "City of Design" in 2017.

Salvador da Bahia

Salvador da Bahia, Brazil's first capital, is a vibrant and exciting city that combines music, beaches, and culture. It is known for its unique Afro-Brazilian culture, with a strong African influence felt throughout the city. The historic Pelourinho district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must-visit, with its cobbled streets and colourful buildings that now house boutiques, restaurants, and bars. Salvador is also known for its delicious Bahian food and its lively Carnival, the biggest in the world according to the Guinness World Records.

Manaus

Located in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, Manaus is a city of over two million people. It is a stepping point for exploring the rainforest and the centre of trade for forest-related products such as timber, rubber, nuts, and rosewood oil. Manaus offers a variety of attractions, including indigenous and regional museums, gardens, an opera house, and a cathedral. The Teatro Amazonas, a majestic opera house built in the neoclassical architectural style, is one of the city's most impressive buildings.

These are just a few examples of Brazil's vibrant cities, each offering a unique mix of culture, nature, history, and entertainment. Whether you're looking for bustling metropolises, beachside getaways, or cultural immersion, Brazil has something for everyone.

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South Africa's wildlife

May is a great time to visit South Africa, particularly for wildlife spotting. As it's the winter dry season, the foliage thins out and animals gather at waterholes, making it ideal for a safari.

South Africa is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, with a variety of habitat types, including savanna grassland, semi-arid Karoo vegetation, and the fynbos of the Cape Floristic Region. The country has recorded an impressive number of species, including 297 mammals, 849 birds, and over 20,000 vascular plants.

Mammals

South Africa is famous for its "Big Five": the elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros, lion, and leopard. These animals were given this collective name as they were the most difficult to hunt on foot. Other large mammals include Burchell's zebra, impala, greater kudu, blue wildebeest, waterbuck, warthog, Cape buffalo, giraffe, and hippopotamus. The country is also a stronghold for rhinos, with around 90% of the global population of white and black rhinos.

Birds

With over 840 species of birds, South Africa is a bird-watcher's paradise. The national bird is the vulnerable Blue Crane, and other typical species include ostriches, kingfishers, and sunbirds. The southern summer (November-March) is an especially good time for bird-watching, as resident species don colourful breeding plumage and migrants arrive from Europe and Africa.

Plants

South Africa is the sixth most species-rich country in the world when it comes to plants, with a total of 23,420 species of vascular plant recorded. The Cape Floristic Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a particular hotspot for plant diversity, with almost 20% of the plant species on the African continent found in less than 0.5% of its area.

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Sydney's warm climate

Sydney, Australia, has a humid subtropical climate, with warm to hot summers and no dry season. The city experiences a temperate climate with no extreme seasonal differences, thanks to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, which has a maritime influence.

Summer

Sydney's summers are warm and partly cloudy, with the season lasting from November 26 to March 22. The hottest month is January, with an average high of 80°F and a low of 68°F. The city can experience temperatures soaring above 40°C (104°F) due to hot, dry northwesterly winds from the Outback. These hot desert winds can be ended by a "southerly buster"—a windy, shallow cold front or sea breeze that abruptly cools the temperature.

Winter

In contrast, Sydney's winters are short, cool, and mostly clear. The season lasts from May 29 to August 22, with the coldest month being July, which has an average low of 47°F and a high of 62°F. Winters tend to be mild, with lows rarely dropping below 45°F due to the city's proximity to the ocean. Frost is rare, and the Sydney Central Business District (CBD) has never recorded it.

Spring and Autumn

Spring and autumn are transitional seasons with erratic weather. Spring experiences a rapid shift from cool to warm temperatures, with days above 86°F possible in September. Autumn sees a more gradual shift from warm to cool, with wintry highs of 64°F possible in the last week of the season.

Sunshine and Rainfall

Sydney has around 200 days of visible sunshine when partly cloudy and sunny-break days are counted. The city experiences more sunshine in winter than in summer, with around 66% of possible sun from June to August, compared to 54% from December to February.

Rainfall is slightly higher in the first half of the year, particularly in late summer and early autumn. The city typically experiences more rain from October 21 to June 7, with February being the wettest month, seeing an average of 7.9 days with precipitation. August is the driest month, with an average of 5.2 days of rain.

When to Visit

The best time to visit Sydney for warm-weather activities is from late November to early April.

Frequently asked questions

Some of the best places to go on vacation in May include Greece, Iceland, Australia, Switzerland, and Brazil. Greece is pleasantly warm in May, making it a great time to get around to see the ancient attractions. Iceland is a great choice for its geographical treasures and wealth of outdoor activities, taking advantage of the extra-long days. Australia, specifically Sydney, is pleasantly warm in May, making it a great time for sightseeing. Switzerland is ideal for hiking in the mountainous regions, and Brazil has vibrant cities and a rich culture and natural beauty to immerse yourself in.

You can save up to $580 when you book a flight and hotel together. You can also find deals on all-inclusive trips to Punta Cana, which is warm all year round and a great place to go for sunshine in May.

Trafalgar offers a 15% discount when departing within 4 months. They offer tours to Portugal, Brazil, and South Africa.

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