The Wanderlist: Where to Travel in May for Nature
From iceberg spotting on the east coast to hiking through the Amazon jungle, May is an exciting time of year to get outside and experience the best of the world’s natural beauty. Here are our picks for where to travel in May for nature.
The Azores
The Azores have a wild, untouched feel that stirs a sense of adventure in intrepid and would-be intrepid travellers alike. Home to rolling agricultural fields, dramatic crater lakes and low-key coastal towns, the Azores’s diverse natural landscapes lend themselves well to almost every outdoor activity imaginable, from whale watching and diving to canyoning and hiking.
While the Azores are still on the brink of being fully “discovered” by North Americans, they have long been a popular destination for mainland Europeans. We recommend heading here in May before the tourist season is in full swing to experience the Azores at their peaceful best.
Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
A romantic tapestry of windswept cliffs, sparkling lakes, verdant forests and colourful coastal towns, Newfoundland’s remote, untamed beauty and distinctive culture make it feel like a country all its own.
May is a particularly ideal month to visit Canada’s easternmost province because it’s prime time for iceberg viewing. In “Iceberg Alley,” an area that stretches along the coast of Labrador and down to the southeast coast of Newfoundland, 10,000-year-old icebergs drifting from western Greenland and the Canadian Arctic can be seen from many spots on the shore (or you can hop on board a boat and head out into the ocean for an even better view).
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world and an unparalleled spot for outdoor activities like hiking, ziplining, surfing and kayaking. An abundance of pristine beaches mean you don’t necessarily need to break a sweat to appreciate the country’s natural beauty – just lounging on the sands and taking in the ocean views is enough.
May falls in Costa Rica’s rainy season, but rainfall mainly occurs in the evenings with mornings and early afternoons often bringing sunny skies. It’s off-peak season for tourists, which means you can score some excellent deals if you don’t mind planning around the rain.
Seattle, Washington
As far as major urban centres go, few feel as connected to nature as Seattle. The city’s famously rainy weather fuels the widespread greenery that has earned it the nickname “The Emerald City.” May is one of the driest months of year in Seattle, making it a perfect time to get out and explore its natural beauty.
Hop on the Bainbridge ferry to catch scenic views of the city skyline and, on a clear day, Mount Rainier in the distance. Take a kayak out on Lake Union, admire open-air artwork at Olympic Sculpture Park or cycle along the Burke Gilman Trail for lovely lake views.
Peru
May is the beginning of winter in Peru, which means mostly sunny skies and relatively few crowds, with visitor numbers peaking a few months later in July and August.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is Peru’s most iconic trek, but the country offers plenty of other opportunities to get outside and get active. Swaths of Amazon jungle, towering mountains and over 3,000 kilometers of Pacific coastline serve as the backdrop for surfing, hiking, biking, wildlife-watching and more. Go white-water rafting through the rivers of Colca and Cotahuasi canyons, mountain bike in the Callejón de Huaylas or hike along one of the lesser-known trails in the Sacred Valley.
