What's the weather like in Puerto del Carmen in May
May in Puerto del Carmen generally means warm temperatures, much lower rainfall, and more sunshine hours. The return of afternoon sea breezes freshen coastal areas and are a welcome relief from the heat of the day.
Temperature and Average Sunshine Hours
There are 289 sunshine hours in the month (Puerto del Carmen sees around 9 sunshine hours a day), with average temperatures in Puerto del Carmen around 15C and average highs of 18C (the average temperature in Lanzarote as a whole is 20C, with highs of 24C). This is a fairly common picture across the Canaries, with similar temperatures of 20C in Fuerteventura and La Palma on average. Tenerife is in fact likely to see slightly cooler temperatures, with an average daytime temperature of 18C for May.
Temperatures vary across the island; maximum daytime temperatures in the north and west of Lanzarote are likely to be between 26C and 28C, with the more sheltered southerly and coastal areas around 2C cooler. Overnight temperatures are also unlikely to drop significantly; the average low in Puerto del Carmen is around 11C, and across the island overnight temperatures usually fall between 14C and 16C.
Average Sea Temperature
Sea temperatures are also gradually beginning to warm at this time, an average of 19C in May in Puerto del Carmen.
Extreme Temperatures
The maximum temperature ever recorded in the area at this time is 32C, which may seem surprising considering preceding (cooler) months have seen higher temperatures recorded; the highest temperature ever recorded in April, for example, is 36C. However, this is due in large part to the dust storms, which significantly increase the temperature.
Rain
Days are likely to start out cloudy, though there should be clear skies again by midday. There is also a much lower rainfall average of just 2mm over 2 days in Puerto del Carmen, and many areas of the island will see no rainfall at all (the average rainfall for Lanzarote in May is 0mm and only one day of rainfall).
Northerly, inland areas are likely to see the worst of any showers while the rest of the island remains dry. Puerto del Carmen receives a 9 score on the UV index (which is relatively high) at this time and will increase as the summer months approach. It is important to take all reasonable precautions to protect your skin while outdoors, especially in the hottest part of the day.
May is an excellent time to enjoy a mix of outdoor activities, sightseeing and sunbathing in Puerto del Carmen. With the dust storms passed, warmer temperatures and a greater number of sunshine hours, it is a good time for sunbathing while you can still avoiding the summer crowds. With cooling afternoon sea breezes in coastal areas, and temperatures still not at their height, it is also still possible to make the most of outdoor activities, sightseeing opportunities and sports on the island.
Puerto del Carmen Hotels in May
The four-star Hipotels La Geria is a great choice for a relaxing holiday. The hotel boasts a terrace bar, restaurant, gorgeous pool to lounge beside, and bicycle rental. There is also a gym, tennis courts, diving school and sauna onsite.
An equally lovely choice, the Ole Olivina Lanzarote has rather more facilities, including a very well run children's club, two non-heated saltwater pools and a heated freshwater pool, mini golf, gardens, restaurant and bar.
Puerto del Carmen Beach for May
There are three excellent beaches, all with Blue Flag status, in Puerto del Carmen.
The Playa Grande is the most popular of the three beaches and stretches 6km, shelving very gently into the sea. It's perfect for toddlers and young children, as the sea is usually calm with very little current.
Playa Chica is a better choice for activities such as snorkelling and diving. There's a small jetty and a water sports school offering jet skiing, parascending and banana boating.
To the east is Playa Pocillos, a huge swathe of sand with bigger currents and waves, which is a popular choice for windsurfing enthusiasts.
Bars and Restaurants
L.A. Tomar on Avenida de Las Playas has fantastic coffee and delicious Italian menu. The tortellini with pear and gorgonzola comes highly recommended, and they also do fresh takeaway pizza if you just fancy a night in.
The Jazz Bistro in Matagorda not only serves an excellent fillet steak but has some lovely fresh fish on the menu. As the name implies, they often have live jazz bands performing in the evenings.
Things to do in Puerto del Carmen in May
The island bears the mark of its most famous mayor, Cesar Manrique, almost everywhere you look. The signs that depict the different areas were designed by Manrique, and there are a number of statues and sculptures dotted across the island. The Monument al Campesino in the geographical center of the island is one of the most famous sculptures designed by Cesar Manrique and is dedicated to the farmworkers and peasants who work the land of Lanzarote. The attached museum houses many objects and tools related to Lanzarote's agricultural heritage.
Arrecife, the capital city, is one of the busiest places on the island. And there's a lot to explore. Its name comes from the abundance of reefs and islets along the coast (Arrecife means 'reef' in Spanish), which form a magnificent seafront promenade and provide many natural harbours. The town is the principle commercial and administrative area of the Island, with its ports, Cabildo (Island Government), Notaries and Courts. The main shopping street is Castillo y Leon. A whole day can be wasted just wandering through the streets, taking in the atmosphere or relaxing in one the lovely pavement cafes.
