What's the best time to visit Cuba?
The best time to visit Cuba is between November and April, when the weather is sunny and dry, ideal for beaches and outdoor adventures. It’s cooler and less rainy then, perfect for exploring vibrant cities and jungles, or enjoying lively cultural events. This season also hosts the Havana Film, Jazz, and Habanos Festivals, making it a great time for exploring local culture.
Cuba is one of the best cultural destinations in the region and a popular warm-weather getaway. The vibrant capital of Havana, with its antique cars, palatial old homes, and lively food and music culture, is where most visitors start their journey.
It’s an island country, which means it has beautiful beaches that are far less crowded than other Caribbean destinations. Other popular things to do include exploring the lush jungle parks, checking out the music scene in Santiago de Cuba, and visiting lesser-known towns with their well-preserved colonial cores.
A trip to Cuba requires a bit more planning than other destinations, including figuring out when to go. We’ll show you this and more below.
The Overall Best Time to Visit Cuba
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The best time to visit Cuba is from November to April, which is the island’s dry season and when you’ll have the best weather. Although most people don’t put Cuba in the same category as other Caribbean islands because it has such a different history and society, it is very much part of the Caribbean region.
That means that it has the same climate and weather patterns as other nearby destinations, such as The Bahamas. Cuba has a tropical climate, with warm temperatures every month and distinct rainy and dry seasons.
Average daily high temperatures are 82–92 degrees Fahrenheit (28–32 degrees Celsius) throughout the year. Temperatures are lower from November to March, usually in the low 80s, which makes it a lot easier to go exploring.
The biggest difference between the seasons in Cuba is precipitation. The dry season is from November to April when the country receives only a few inches of rain per month.
From May to October, the island gets frequent downpours, which makes it a lot more unpleasant to go exploring. November to April has the best weather in Cuba, hands down, which makes it the best time to go to the beach.
Temperatures will be warm but not sweltering, and you can expect sunshine pretty much every day, so head to one of the resort towns like Varadero to work on your tan.
The dry season is also the best time to visit the interior. Since the weather is cooler, you can go hiking or cycling through the jungle without getting overwhelmed by the heat.
The forests are also at their liveliest during this time—besides the many endemic bird species, the island fills up with migrating birds fleeing colder weather up north.
The cultural calendar in Cuba is lively all year round, but you can expect lots of festivals during the dry season, especially in December and January. Even though the country doesn’t have an official state religion, the majority of Cubans still follow Catholicism.
Around Christmas and New Year’s, expect lively festivals in many towns, like Havana’s famous parrandas, or street parties that double as competitions between neighborhoods.
Organized cultural events during this time include:
- Havana Film Festival (December)
- Havana Jazz Festival (January)
- Habanos Festival (February)
Cheapest Time to Visit Cuba
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For discounts on accommodations and flights, the cheapest time to visit Cuba is during the spring shoulder season, from late April until June. April is still part of the dry season, but visitor numbers tend to wind down, especially after the Easter holidays pass.
By May and June, many popular resorts have far fewer visitors. Even though Cuba is a communist country, market forces like demand still affect the price, and when there are fewer visitors, accommodation prices tend to be lower.
Hotels, resorts, and casas particulares, or Cuban government-approved homestays, tend to offer the best discounts in May and June. You can even stay in a former mansion in Havana or at a beach resort for the price you would pay for budget accommodations during peak season.
In general, homestays tend to be the most affordable option. Getting to Cuba can be quite expensive, no matter when you visit. Due to the US embargo, there are fewer options for flights, and airlines take advantage of this fact to increase the prices.
Flying into Varadero is usually more affordable than flying into Havana, and flights tend to be more affordable during the spring low season.
Least Busy Time to Visit Cuba
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Besides spring, the least busy time to visit Cuba is in the fall, especially in the month of September. Fall, like spring, is the low season in Cuba. September is one of the quietest months because it is one of the rainiest months of the year.
October and November have slightly better weather than September. More people tend to come later in the autumn months, but the crowds are still minimal.
Visiting during the tail end of the rainy season means that you can make the most of Havana, which has far fewer people. Although it rains almost daily, most downpours are in the afternoon.
This is a great time to take salsa lessons or engage in other cultural activities, especially since the locals working in tourism will be less busy and have more time for one-on-one conversations.
If you don’t want any other people around as you lounge on the beach, the late autumn is the best time to visit Cuba’s beach resorts. November is the best time for a crowd-free beach vacation.
The rains peter out by this time, so you can enjoy decent weather. Although conditions aren’t the best for scuba diving, tours are starting up again.
September, October, and November are still part of hurricane season, so keep in mind that there is a risk of severe tropical storms if you visit during this time. Be sure to check the forecast, get good insurance, and stick to the western side of the island, which isn’t as affected by hurricanes.
Worst Time to Visit Cuba
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The worst time to visit Cuba is during the peak summer months of July and August, when the weather is hot and humid and you can expect a lot of crowds.
Cuba is warm all year round, which is great when you want to go swimming in January but not so great when the actual hottest part of the year arrives. Average daily temperatures in July and August are usually above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Since Cuban summers are very humid, it usually feels even hotter than what it reads on the thermometer. July and August are also right in the middle of Cuba’s rainy season. Cuba’s rainy season has a bit of a lull in the middle, and it’s not as rainy in July and August as it is in May or September.
However, you can still expect frequent downpours and heavy rain, which will put a damper on any beach vacation. August also marks the start of the most intense period for hurricane season, which can potentially be dangerous.
You may think that the worse weather means there are fewer visitors around, but that’s not the case. July and August are the summer vacation months for schools in Cuba and other parts of North America where tourists commonly visit from, so many families travel during this time.
Expect crowded resorts and higher prices. If you do visit during the summer, bring patience and a regular change of clothes.
The benefit is that this is the peak festival season in Cuba, so expect frequent open-air dance parties and other events. The highlight is Carnival, which happens in July in Santiago de Cuba.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Here are some of the most common questions about picking the best time to visit Cuba:
What is the best month to go to Cuba?
April is the best month to go to Cuba because the weather is still dry, but the crowds have thinned out compared to the rest of the high season.
What month is rainy season in Cuba?
Rainy season in Cuba lasts for the months of May–November. May, June, September, and October are the rainiest months.
What months are hurricane season in Cuba?
Hurricane season in Cuba lasts from June to November. This is the same as the hurricane season for the rest of the Caribbean region.
What is the best time to go to Havana?
In terms of weather, the best time to go is from November to April. If you visit in April or May, then you also will beat the crowds and high prices.
How many days in Cuba is enough?
You should spend at least 14 days in Cuba. The country is fairly big, with many towns and diverse regions to explore, and you want to give yourself time to deal with logistical challenges.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Cuba?
The best time to visit Cuba is during the dry season, from November to April when you can get the best weather. The higher prices and bigger crowds are worth it for the sunshine and comfortable temperatures. So what are you waiting for — book your trip today!