What's the weather like in Vancouver in May
Temperature
May sees a significant increase in Vancouver's average daily temperatures. The daily average increases four degrees to 13°C overall, with higher temperatures towards the end of the month. The average daytime temperature is 16°C and nights only fall to 9°C a warm welcome from previous cold months. On rare occasions the daytime temperatures will hit 22°C and nights may fall to 5°C.
Rainfall
The increase in temperature is accompanied by a decrease in rain, with May rainfall totals averaging 70mm over an average of 14 days. The chances of rain remain a fairly steady 28% throughout the month.
Sunshine Hours
Vancouver sees an average of nine hours of sunshine throughout May. In the beginning of May there are 14 hours 39 minutes between sunrise and sunset, climbing to 15 hours 56 minutes by the end of the month. The chances of an overcast or mostly cloudy sky in Vancouver are 55% in May.
Humidity
The relative humidity in Vancouver in May has seen most of its decrease by this month, averaging 62%. June will see 61% relative humidity and then it slowly starts to climb again. These humidity levels make for a comfortable visit in May.
Wind
By May winds are mostly out of the south and west, averaging 3.9 mph and slowly declining going into June.
Sea Temperature
The water around Vancouver is still quite chilly in May, despite an increase from previous months. With an average of 11°C waters you'll still want a dry suit for protection if you plan on diving.
Dress Code
Vancouver's weather in May could still surprise you, so pack for everything and check the 14-day forecast before your visit. You'll want to bring adequate raingear, footwear for soggy conditions, and layers that you can shed as temperatures increase throughout the day. It's perhaps still a little too cold for shorts and sandals that will come later in summer. Almost everyone in Vancouver dresses very casually; so don't feel like you need to bring dressy clothing unless you plan on dining at the most expensive restaurants in Vancouver.
Vancouver Hotels in May
Auberge Vancouver Hotel
The four-star Auberge Vancouver Hotel is sure to provide you the luxury boutique hotel experience that you're looking for. The hotel, situated in the Terminal City Tower, provides wonderful views of the waterfront and surrounding mountains. The Auberge Vancouver Hotel is perfectly located in downtown Vancouver, amidst shopping, fine dining, casual restaurants, and within walking distance to the Convention Centre and aquarium. Rooms and suites feature flatscreen TVs, minifridges & microwaves, and luxury linens. Other amenities include an indoor swimming pool and jacuzzi under a glass dome, fitness center & squash courts, and a luxury health spa and sauna. Breakfast is included, and the Auberge features one on-site restaurant and bar.
Century Plaza Hotel & Spa
Century Plaza is an enjoyable place to stay for many reasons. The three-star hotel is in a perfect location in the West End, near some of downtown Vancouver's amazing restaurants and nightlife. Clean standard rooms, studios, and suites are available, with full kitchens and balconies or kitchenettes. The hotel's fitness center is open all day long and there is also a great day spa on-site. A casual hotel restaurant, C Prime, serves great international foods and cocktails, and the hotel coffee shop provides the perfect location to relax throughout the day. The property's Comedy Mix Club features local comedians and headliners. You're guaranteed to love the location and friendly staff.
Days Inn Vancouver Metro
Budget travelers will get everything they need at the Days Inn Vancouver Metro. This simple hotel is near John Hendry Park Booth and conveniently located on Highway 1A. You'll have easy access to public transportation, Vancouver airport, and Stanley Park. Suites and standard rooms are available, all with comfortable beds, typical bathrooms, and free Wi-Fi. A continental breakfast buffet is included for all guests. This is the perfect no-frills family hotel for visitors who don't need to be in the pricey downtown area.
Executive Hotel Le Soleil
Don't let the relatively affordable prices fool you Le Soleil is one of Vancouver's most refined four-star hotels, located within walking distance of the Vancouver Convention Centre. This luxury hotel features 119 intimate rooms with classic décor, including a number of suites with floor-to-ceiling windows to look out upon greater Vancouver. You'll find Italian marble bathrooms, silk-adorned bedding, and goosedown duvets in all suites. Le Soleil features a luxurious spa, fitness centre, and business centre. The on-site Copper Chimney Restaurant & Bar is one of Vancouver's most elegant restaurants, serving contemporary Canadian cuisine with Indian influences from breakfast through dinner.
Beaches in Vancouver in May
Kitsilano Beach Park
Kitsilano Beach is a popular oceanfront destination starting in May and is close to the Vancouver Maritime Museum and the Museum of Vancouver. The beach itself is protected by lifeguards beginning in May and is sheltered enough to let the kids play in the water if the water is warm enough. There is also a swimming pool at one side of the park, washrooms, tennis & basketball courts, and a playground. If you brought your pup, Kitsilano Park also has an off-leash area for dogs to run freely. Kitsilano Beach abuts the Vancouver Seawall, a 28-kilometer walking path that's the longest seawall path in the world. The Boathouse Waterfront Restaurant is nearby and a great option for lunch or dinner afterwards.
Bars and Restaurants
The Gallery Café @ the VAG
May is a great month to finally take advantage of Vancouver's patio cafes, and if you're at the Vancouver Art Gallery the Gallery Café is the place to be. The award-winning Gallery Café serves nothing but the best organic bistro-style plates, all with locally sourced ingredients. The menu changes seasonally and everything is prepared when ordered nothing is premade. If the weather isn't suitable for enjoying their patio, you'll be equally impressed by the beautifully-decorated dining room. The various quiches keep regulars coming back, and the café also serves delicious sandwiches, paninis, and fresh soups. The Gallery Café is open during the week from 9AM to 6PM and weekends from 10AM until 6PM.
Ancora Waterfront Dining & Patio
Sunny days are the perfect time to enjoy the patio at Ancora Waterfront. If it's not a "sit outside" kind of day, step inside their bright, open dining room where you can still enjoy amazing views of the harbour. Ancora is open for weekend brunch, lunch, and dinner and specializes in seafood with both American and Asian flavors. The raw menu features flavorful ceviches, sashimi, nigiri, and rolls. If you're not into raw fish you can find other flavorful dishes on their menu, including seared scallops with pork belly, glazed sablefish, and grilled tenderloin. Ancora is also happy to accommodate vegetarians. Ancora serves lunch during the week from 12PM until 2:30PM; dinner is served from 5PM until 11PM; and Sunday brunch is served from 11AM until 2:30PM.
Meet in Gastown
Gastown is full of chic, trendy restaurants, and vegetarians will feel right at home at MeeT. Don't worry, the meat-lovers in your group will also find giant, juicy burgers here. But MeeT's fresh menu features a number of vegetarian-friendly dishes like steamed kale, artichoke & spinach dip, quinoa salad, tofu bowls, and beet salad. Vegetarian burger options are also available, made with black bean patties or Portobello mushroom. MeeT's location in Gastown is very cozy and offers patio seating for sunny days. Customers with food allergies will be looked after very well here. MeeT is open daily from 11AM until 11PM, extended until midnight on the weekends.
Lonsdale Quay Market
Lonsdale Quay is a large transportation hub in Vancouver Harbour and contains a number of small market-style food vendors to choose from. Some of the vendors calling this market home are the Bowen Island Pizza Company, Soup Meister, Salmon Shop, Seb's Sandwich Shop, and Crepe Escape. A large food court is also home to the Dex Gourmet Burger Bar, Akebono Sushi, Nikko Teryiaki, and Vinam Vietnamese Cuisine. There are also some sit-down restaurants in Lonsdale Quay, including Bean Around the World, Green Leaf Brewing, and Cheshire Cheese Restaurant & Bar.
Things to do in Vancouver in May
Run the Vancouver Marathon
You may be coming to Vancouver specifically for the Vancouver Marathon, or you may just like running and find yourself in Vancouver coincident with the marathon. The Vancouver Marathon is traditionally held on the first Sunday in May. You don't have to run a full marathon. In fact, there are a number of other events to participate in. There's a half-marathon, an 8K, a relay, and a kid's run. A large expo venue shows off the latest & best in health & fitness. The main marathon event starts in Queen Elizabeth Park and proceeds west to the University of British Columbia campus, then looping northeast around Stanley Park before ending at the south end of Coal Harbour. The finish line is the site of a street festival with live entertainment, food, and souvenirs.
Vancouver Convention Centre
The Vancouver Convention Centre isn't just an event venue, it's also a wonderful waterfront location to spend half a day at the harbour. The Convention Centre is home to a number of retail shops, attractions, and restaurants. Many of them surround Jack Poole Plaza, site of the landmark Olympic Cauldron. This large, open plaza is named after a Canadian businessman who was responsible for bringing the 2010 Winter Olympic Games to Vancouver. The large sculpture in the center of the plaza was the Olympics external torch and is occasionally lit for special events. The plaza is a wonderful location to take in a picnic or start your walk on Vancouver's record-setting 28-kilometer seawall path.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Spring is ideal for visiting the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in North Vancouver. There's just enough rain to give you that misty, moody rainforest feeling but not too much rain where you don't want to go explore outdoors. The Capilano Suspension Bridge was built in 1889 and since then other bridges and cliffside walks have been constructed in this park. The main bridge takes you over a hundred feet above the forest floor where you can view the rainforest from above. If that's too high for you there are numerous trails for hiking. The park is also home to a very educational museum dedicated to the First Nations and their heritage. When you get hungry there's a small restaurant with great burgers and sandwiches, and also a cozy café to help you warm up. The park is open from 9AM to 7PM daily.
Vancouver Markets
Many great markets start to pop up in the spring and are a great way to spend the morning or afternoon. On Sundays you can get fresh food at the Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market in West Vancouver and the Kitsilano Farmers Market in Kitsilano. The Lonsdale Quay Farmers Market not to be confused with the Lonsdale Quay Market happens on Saturday with vendors selling food and other retail items. Some markets are even open year-round, like the Granville Island Public Market, where you can get seasonal fresh produce and other foods from 9AM until 7PM seven days a week. One-time market events include the large Cumberland Village Market Days, which typically takes place during the Victoria Day weekend. This market is chock full of arts & crafts from local artists, clothing, live local music, and food.
