May · Argentina
Best time to visit El Calafate in May Weather, crowds & prices
Weather in El Calafate in May
Average temperature -1°C, 34 mm of rain, about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 89% humidity — based on the five most recent complete years of ERA5 data (2021–2025).
May score
3.5/10
Ranked #9 of 12 months
- Avg temp
- -1°C
- Rainfall
- 34 mm
- Humidity
- 89%
- Days with 6h+ sun
- 0
- Crowd Density
- Quiet / Uncrowded
- Average Expenses
- $ · Budget Friendly ($)
May in El Calafate scores 3.5/10 for nature and wildlife travel - ranked #9 of 12. Expect around -1°C, 34 mm of rain, and roughly 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine this month.
El Calafate is the gateway to Perito Moreno glacier and Patagonia's ice fields.
May in El Calafate: expect compromises
At -1°C (29°F) this is proper winter weather in May: layer up and split the day between outdoor highlights and indoor stops.
Only 34 mm of water-equivalent precipitation is expected (snow at altitude), leaving almost no days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 8.8 hours of daylight.
That is 3.5/10 on the same scale — 9th of 12 months, versus 8.8/10 for the best month here.
Pack insulated layers, a windproof shell, gloves and boots with grip, footwear you can get muddy.
Budget for low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.
If your dates are flexible, January is materially better in El Calafate — 5.3 points higher on the same scale.
Frequently asked
- What is the weather like in El Calafate in May?
- In May, El Calafate averages -1°C, 34 mm of rain, and about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine. Its climate-comfort score is 3.5/10.
- Is May a good time to visit El Calafate?
- May earns a 3.5/10 climate-comfort score. Use the year-round chart to weigh the weather against your budget and crowd preferences.
- How much does it rain in El Calafate in May?
- Expect about 34 mm of rain in May. Average humidity is 89% and there are about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine.
Curated in El Calafate
Tickets & experiences
Things to do in El Calafate
El Calafate, Argentina. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.