Brazil
Salvador in May
🌦️ Shoulder (showers)Warm, humid and some showers.
🎒 Pack: compact umbrella or rain jacket · quick-dry fabrics
Why May scores 8.5What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort7.8
- ✓Warm (28.9°C highs / 23.9°C lows)
- !Very humid/sticky (dew point 21.9°C)
- !Wet: ~112 mm rain, ~3 heavy-rain days
- Air quality9.7
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~7 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline6.5
- ·Increased caution
| May | Sep | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.5 Excellent | 9.0 Excellent |
| Season | 🌦️ Shoulder (showers) | ☀️ Dry season |
| High / low | 29° / 24° | 29° / 22° |
| Rain | 112 mm | 43 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 22° | dew pt 20° |
| PM2.5 | 7 µg/m³ | 8 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast).
Holidays & crowdsMay 2027
No long holidaysNo long public-holiday weekends this month. School holidays aren't counted, so check those if you want to avoid family crowds.
Other public holidays: Worker's Day (1 May)
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore SalvadorEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyBahia's coastal capital and Brazil's first colonial capital, known for Afro-Brazilian culture, the Pelourinho historic centre, capoeira and a huge Carnival.
No major events on our calendar for May.
Coming up later
Bahia Independence DayEvery year2 July every year
Parades celebrate Bahia's role in Brazilian independence.
Why go: A state holiday.
Where: Historic centre
Lavagem do BonfimDate variesUsually the second Thursday of January
A procession ending with the ritual washing of the church steps.
Why go: A long walk in heat; bring water.
Where: From Conceição da Praia church to Bonfim church
CarnivalDate variesThe days before Ash Wednesday — February or March, date moves each year
Trucks with musicians (trios elétricos) lead huge street parades.
Why go: Book far ahead.
Where: Barra-Ondina and Campo Grande circuits
Pelourinho
A UNESCO-listed colonial district of coloured houses and churches.
💡 Keep valuables out of sight, especially at night.
Elevador Lacerda
A public lift connecting the upper and lower city.
São Francisco Church and Convent
A baroque church with gilded interior.
Mercado Modelo
A craft market in the lower city.
Farol da Barra
A lighthouse and fort, a popular sunset spot.
Igreja do Senhor do Bonfim
A pilgrimage church known for its coloured ribbons.
Acarajé
Fried black-eyed pea fritters with shrimp and fillings.
💡 Baianas' street stalls
Moqueca baiana
Fish or seafood stew with coconut milk and dendê oil.
💡 Restaurants
Vatapá
A creamy paste of bread, shrimp, coconut and peanuts.
💡 With acarajé or as a side
Abará
Steamed black-eyed pea cakes wrapped in banana leaf.
💡 Baianas' street stalls
Cocada
Coconut sweets.
💡 Street vendors
Fitas do Bonfim
Coloured ribbons tied on the wrist for wishes.
💡 Bonfim church and Pelourinho
Berimbau
The musical bow used in capoeira.
💡 Mercado Modelo
Handicrafts
Lace and crafts.
💡 Mercado Modelo
Airport transfer Kiwitaxi
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