MAY OFF-SEASON TRAVEL

DEEP OFF-SEASON
SWEET SPOT

May is an outstanding “shoulder season” for global travel, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s often ideal, preceding the intense heat and crowds of peak summer (July/August) and following early spring’s unpredictable weather. Expect delightful temperatures, blooming landscapes, and significantly fewer tourists. In the Southern Hemisphere, May signals winter’s onset or drier conditions, creating both “sweet spot” and deep off-season opportunities.

Main Regions Globally and Their Associated Seasons in May:

Northern Hemisphere:

    • Temperate (e.g., Europe, US/Canada): Spring is in full bloom, transitioning to early summer. Pleasant to warm temperatures. Overwhelmingly a shoulder season with moderate crowds, heading towards peak.
    • Tropical/Subtropical (e.g., Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia): Pre-monsoon heat or early onset of monsoon/rainy season. High heat and humidity with increasing rainfall. This is largely deep off-season.
    • Arctic/Far North (e.g., Iceland, Norway, Alaska): Late spring/early summer. Mild temperatures, rapidly increasing daylight. This is the shoulder season moving towards peak.

Southern Hemisphere:

    • Temperate (e.g., Southern South America, Australia/New Zealand): Autumn is in full swing, transitioning to early winter. Cooler temperatures, fall foliage. This is primarily a shoulder season.
    • Tropical/Subtropical (e.g., Southern Africa, parts of South America): Beginning of dry season or pleasant pre-winter conditions. Warm, sunny. This is largely a shoulder season moving towards peak for safaris.