Jordan in May: Travel Guide, Weather and Tips

May is a transitional month in Jordan — warm enough for Aqaba’s Red Sea and Petra’s longer trails, but not yet at the punishing summer heat that makes July and August exhausting. European spring break is over, so the crowds that dominated April thin out noticeably through the month. Hotel prices have not yet dropped to the deep summer discounts that June and July bring, but they’re below April peak. For many travellers, May represents the last genuinely comfortable month before the summer heat sets in across most of the country.

Weather in Jordan in May

City	Avg High °C	Avg Low °C	Conditions
Amman	28	15	Warm, dry, minimal rain
Petra	27	13	Hot afternoons, pleasant mornings
Wadi Rum	31	17	Getting warm — morning and evening excursions recommended
Aqaba	33	22	Hot and dry, excellent for beach and water sports
Dead Sea	32	22	Warm — float and sunscreen essential

May is almost entirely dry across Jordan. Amman receives minimal rainfall and the sky is typically clear. The heat builds through the month — early May mornings in Amman are genuinely pleasant at around 18°C, while late May sees daytime highs that make midday city walking tiring. Petra is best visited in the early morning and late afternoon to avoid the 11:00–15:00 heat.

Aqaba in May is at its pre-peak best. The sea temperature has warmed from the cooler winter levels to a comfortable 24–26°C, and the wind patterns that can churn up the Red Sea in June haven’t yet established themselves. Snorkelling around the South Beach Marine Reserve and diving at Power Station Reef both offer high visibility in May.

Events and What’s On in May

Petra Marathon (occasionally May) The Petra Marathon and half-marathon is sometimes scheduled in May (it moves between October and May in different years). The race route passes through the ancient city itself — participants run through the Siq and past the Treasury. Check the official Petra Marathon website for the current year’s date if this interests you.

Jordan Trail Group Treks May is the final month of the spring Jordan Trail season before summer heat closes some of the desert sections. The Jordan Trail Association runs organised group treks, and the southern sections through Petra and Aqaba are particularly popular in May. Registration is required in advance at jordantrail.org.

Islamic Calendar Note In some years Ramadan falls partly in May — the exact dates shift annually. During Ramadan, daylight hours in restaurants and cafés change significantly, and the general rhythm of the country adapts. Check the current Islamic calendar well ahead of your trip.

Where to Stay and Eat

Amman The W Amman hotel in the Abdali district has May rates from approximately JOD 130–160 per night and is a sharp modern option for those wanting contemporary Amman. For a more traditional stay, the Jordan Tower Hotel in downtown Amman offers simple, clean rooms from JOD 25–35 — a budget option in a central location. For food, Levant Restaurant in Jabal Amman serves upscale Levantine cuisine — try the lamb with freekeh — at JOD 18–25 per person.

Aqaba The InterContinental Aqaba has beachfront access and May rates from around JOD 110–140 per night. For a more local experience, small guesthouses in central Aqaba like Aquamarina Hotel start from JOD 35. Captain’s Restaurant on the Aqaba waterfront is the go-to for grilled fish — the sea bass and hammour (grouper) are both good — at JOD 10–18 per person.

Pros of Visiting Jordan in May

• Warm and sunny without the punishing summer heat of June through August
• Crowds thinner than April — Petra is significantly more manageable
• Aqaba diving at its pre-summer best
• Wadi Rum desert camps are available without the summer scramble
• Long days — 14 hours of daylight by late May
• Hotel rates are moderate, not yet at the deep summer discounts

Cons of Visiting Jordan in May

• Daytime heat in Wadi Rum and Aqaba requires planning around the midday period
• Ramadan may fall in May in some years — check ahead
• The Jordanian mountains and highlands no longer have the spring wildflowers of March–April
• Wadi Mujib canyon wading route is best checked for water levels before booking

Aqaba Diving in May

Aqaba’s Red Sea is one of the most accessible coral reef systems in the world — the reef begins almost at the shoreline, making shore dives feasible without a boat. In May, the key dive sites include:

• Power Station Reef — near the industrial port, the artificial structures have attracted unusually diverse marine life including moray eels and lionfish
• Cedar Pride Wreck — a deliberately sunk cargo ship at 25m depth, now heavily encrusted with coral
• Japanese Gardens — a shallow reef section (8–15m) well-suited to snorkellers and new divers

Local operators including Aqaba Adventure Divers and Red Sea Dive Centre run two-dive day trips for approximately JOD 45–55 per person. Open water PADI certification courses run 4 days and cost around JOD 200–250.

Packing for May in Jordan

• Lightweight, breathable clothes — cotton or technical fabric
• Swimwear and a rash guard for Aqaba snorkelling
• Sun hat and strong SPF 50+ sunscreen — the May sun is strong
• Light cardigan for Amman evenings (nights remain comfortable but hotels are heavily air-conditioned)
• Comfortable walking shoes for Petra — good grip and breathable
• Rehydration sachets — sweating more than you expect is common in Petra’s enclosed Siq