Anjuna in May
Goa, India
Monsoon shuts down beach shacks and tourist infrastructure through June
May in Anjuna is the last chapter before the southwest monsoon arrives around June 10. Daytime 27-36C, sea at 30C, humidity 80 percent. The forest-department deadline closes all 350-odd shacks across the Anjuna-Vagator-Chapora belt by midnight May 31 — bamboo-and-thatch structures dismantled, plastic furniture stored inland. Wednesday Flea Market runs at year-low (under 100 stalls) and shifts to a lighter Saturday market from late May. Pre-monsoon thunderstorms — the first SW current arrivals — hit the third and fourth week as 30-90 minute evening squalls; 2-4 hour grid power cuts follow each storm. La Marama Villa, Surya Beach Anjuna, and the Assagao Boutique Villa all run 40-50 percent below February peak; they are the only weekend hotels hitting 60 percent occupancy. Bomra's closes May 25 to June 30 for monsoon; Edible Archives and Cafe Diogo hold lighter hours. Push to mid-October if you can.
Why May scores 4.0/10
Weather
Peak heat. 26-36C, humidity 80 percent. Shacks dismantle May 31. Pre-monsoon thunder weeks 3-4.
What to do in Anjuna this May
- 1Shack dismantling events (May 31)
- 2Beach walks in early morning
- 3Self-catering explorations
- 4Pre-monsoon landscape photography
- 5Village homestays
Who should go
- ✓First-time travelers
- ✓Senior citizens
- ✓Weather-flexible solitude seekers
- ✓Monsoon-romance lovers
- ✓Last-minute escapists
Who should think twice
- ✗Families
- ✗Luxury seekers
- ✗Anyone requiring nightlife or infrastructure
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10.0/10 | Peak Konkan winter. 21-31C, dry, post-NYE rates ease. Wednesday Flea Market in full swing. |
| February | 10.0/10 | Driest month. 22-32C. Flea market peaks. Carnival float parade falls in Feb-Mar window. |
| March | 8.0/10 | Last cool window. 23-33C. Shigmo parade week mid-month. Hotel rates slide 20-25 percent. |
| April | 6.0/10 | Pre-monsoon heat. 25-35C, humidity 75 percent. Shacks open till May 31 but mid-day collapses. |
| Mayviewing | 4.0/10 | Peak heat. 26-36C, humidity 80 percent. Shacks dismantle May 31. Pre-monsoon thunder weeks 3-4. |
| June | 2.0/10 | SW monsoon arrives June 10. 24-30C, 700-800mm rainfall. Shacks closed, sea dangerous. Skip. |
| July | 2.0/10 | Peak monsoon. 24-29C, 900-1100mm rainfall. Beach unsafe, shacks closed. Skip. |
| August | 2.0/10 | Monsoon continues. 24-29C, 500-700mm rain. Bonderam Aug 22-ish (Divar). Skip Anjuna proper. |
| September | 4.0/10 | Monsoon retreat. 24-31C, 250-300mm rain. Shacks rebuild for Oct 1 reopen. Beach still rough. |
| October | 8.0/10 | Season opens Oct 1. 24-32C, 100-150mm late-monsoon spillover. Shacks rebuilt, Wednesday Flea returns. |
| November | 10.0/10 | Peak builds. 22-31C, rainfall under 30mm. International DJs return, Wednesday Flea at full capacity. |
| December | 10.0/10 | Peak season. 21-30C, dry. Christmas-NYE rates triple Dec 22-Jan 5. Sunburn diaspora at Curlies. |
What to pack for May
- ▸Lightweight waterproof jacket
- ▸Quick-dry clothing
- ▸Drainage sandals
- ▸Sealed electronics bag
- ▸Cooking items (self-catering)
- ▸Flashlight
- ▸Insect repellent
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