The best time to Visit Cuba
It’s pretty much summer all year long in Cuba, but some months are hotter, stickier, and more uncomfortable than others. The best time to visit Cuba is between November and April. These are not only Cuba’s driest months but also good bets for 70 degree (21c) blue sky days made for exploring cobblestone streets and lounging on secluded postcard-perfect beaches.
While December through February are Cuba’s coldest months, temperatures are usually in the 70s (21c). Lows might dip into the 60s (15c), but you’ll never need a coat, hat or gloves. Winter days are long, with nearly 11 hours of daylight even in December, and there are few better places to escape the winter back home than a Caribbean island nation where summer lasts all year long.
Here are the best times to travel to Cuba
Visiting Cuba in January - March
Dry season is in full swing in Cuba in January – expect loads of sunshine and cloudless skies with only a chance of rain. Temperatures do drop (Havana averages at 21°C, thanks to cooler evenings) but you can still see highs of 26°C. Cooler climes are no bad thing for active adventurers exploring Cuba by bike or staying in casas particulares without air conditioning. January isn’t quite as busy as December, but it’s still a popular month.
You won’t be short of things to do in Cuba in February. Great weather means plenty of visitors and therefore lots of choice of activities. Pair time lazing on the beach with cultural tours, trekking or cycling. Cool evening temperatures in Cuba are a refreshing cool-down from the average 25°C. Although mostly dry, rain can spritz the north and west. However, February is still one of the warmest months in Cuba.
March is one of the busiest times for tourists in Cuba as the weather warms up beautifully and the Easter school break begins. Book as far ahead as possible; tours will fill up fast. Salsa dance trips are popular in Cuba in March, as well as cultural tours that take in the Revolutionary Trail and casas particulares.
Visiting Cuba in April - May
April is thought by many to be the best time of year to go to Cuba. The air is warm (24°C-29°C), getting a bit hotter in the east, but still excellent for exploring. And unless Easter falls in April (one of the busiest weeks in the year), visitor numbers start to ease off in Cuba in April. Havana kicks back under some beautiful sunny days too. The rainy season in Cuba starts tentatively in late April as humidity slowly climbs.
Cuba gets less and less busy from now until the end of the year as the rainy season begins in Cuba in May. The north-west, including Havana, freshens up under short, sharp downpours; May is a great time to explore popular spots like Vinales Valley minus the crowds. There are more persistent rains in the south-east, but that’s no problem if you like verdant scenery and don’t mind packing a raincoat.
Visiting Cuba in June
June is the start of rainy season, bringing heavier downpours, high humidity and occasional multi-day storms. Although rainy, there are some perks to travelling to Cuba in June – there’s still a good amount of sunshine, zero crowds and much cheaper prices. The adventurous few lean towards trekking, cycling or cultural tours. You’ll spend cooler mornings exploring and hot, rainy afternoons curled up with a mojito.
Visiting Cuba in July - August
As well as being stormy, July can be hot across most of Cuba – particularly in the built-up cities of Santiago de Cuba and Havana. Adventurous families won’t be put off, though, and the prices and number of tourists rise during the school holiday period of July to August. Be sure to book in advance if travelling to Cuba in July. Salsa workshops and cycling are good picks, with sessions timed for the cooler parts of the day.
August to October is probably the worst time to go to Cuba due to heavy afternoon rainfall. This is when Cuba is really hot and humid. That’s fine for many, especially if you’re cooling off on the coast, but it does limit what you can do as you need to factor in plenty of pauses for a snooze. Tailor made trips are brilliant at bending itineraries around the whims of the weather in Cuba in August.
Visiting Cuba in September
The weather in Cuba in September cools down a little. It’s still hot and sticky, but not as scorching as July and August. Heavy afternoon downpours soak the west, including Havana, in the afternoons. Cultural tours take advantage of this by exploring in the mornings and offering salsa or cooking classes after a siesta. Plus, people disappear as the clouds appear, so September is one of the quietest times to be in Cuba. Hurricanes are most likely to occur in September, especially along the coasts.
Visiting Cuba in October - December
Tailor made tours that can adjust the itinerary around the rainy weather are great if you’re travelling to Cuba in October. You’ll find fewer fellow visitors and those that are there tend to focus on special interests like bird watching, hiking and Havana’s museums and galleries. Some families also spend the school holiday in Cuba. A hurricane is unlikely to affect your trip, but it is worth noting that October is peak season for tropical storms.
Visitors drift back to Cuba in November as the rains recede and dry, sunny weather and reasonable temperatures make a comeback. As the weather improves, so does the choice of trips. Will it be scuba diving, touring Havana, bird watching, trekking, cycling or a classic island circuit? Salsa holidays and small group tours are especially popular in November too.
The brilliant weather in Cuba in December makes it the busiest time of year – expect sunshine with cooler temperatures. It’s great for sightseeing, but some days may be rather fresh for beach lovers. Christmas is fantastic because it’s the mildest time of year; there are lots of festivals and parties as Cubans get some rare days off. December also sees prices peaking.
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