The best time to visit Cuba

January falls firmly within Cuba’s dry season, with daytime temperatures averaging 26°C and low humidity thanks to steady trade winds. Rainfall is rare, and the evenings are refreshingly cool. It’s an ideal time to wander through the cobbled streets of Old Havana, hike in Viñales or spend a few days on the beaches before the Caribbean heat builds later in the year.

This month is the best time to go to Cuba for music lovers. The Havana Jazz Festival draws international and local talent to theatres and open‑air venues across the capital. Meanwhile, in Santa Clara, the Festival de la Trova Longina celebrates the island’s troubadour tradition with concerts and a pilgrimage to Caibarién, birthplace of composer Manuel Corona.

February continues the cool, dry spell of the Cuban winter. Along the northern coast the thermometer rarely rises above 26°C and rainfall remains low, making this one of the island’s sunniest and driest months. Across western Cuba, clear skies and gentle breezes provide perfect conditions for exploring colonial cities or horse‑riding in the countryside.

It is also a month for both literary and cigar aficionados. The Havana International Book Fair takes over the colonial fortress of La Cabana with readings, theatre and film screenings. Later in the month the Festival del Habano (Havana Cigar Festival) welcomes connoisseurs to factory tours, tastings and rolling demonstrations.

March marks the tail end of the dry season in Cuba. Temperatures climb gently towards 27°C and humidity begins to rise, but showers are still rare and most days remain sunny. 

This is one of the best times of year to visit Cuba for road trips along the island’s southern coast or for snorkelling and diving whilst seas are calm. Film buffs flock to the Santiago Álvarez International Documentary Festival, where documentarians capture diverse and profound perspectives on the realities surrounding us in their works.

In Cuba, April bridges the transition between the dry and wet seasons. Days become hotter and humidity increases, although significant rainfall usually holds off until later in the month. Travelling in April means fewer crowds, particularly after Easter, and good conditions for trekking in the Sierra Maestra or driving along the Caribbean coast.

Cuba’s arts scene blossoms in April. The Old Havana: City in Movement festival sees dancers perform in squares, parks and museums, turning the UNESCO‑listed streets into open‑air theatres. Beyond the city, it’s an excellent time to snorkel off the Zapata Peninsula or unwind on the near-empty beaches of Cayo Largo, before the summer crowds arrive.

May heralds the start of the wet season in Cuba, with heat and humidity increasing sharply; average rainfall in Havana nearly doubles compared with April. Afternoon downpours are common, though they rarely last long. Eastern Cuba, already hotter than the west, begins to feel tropical and lush. 

The month kicks off with Labour Day (May 1), a socialist celebration when workers march to the Plaza de la Revolucion to hear speeches and enjoy music. May is also a good time to explore the emerald landscapes of eastern Cuba. The hills around Baracoa are particularly atmospheric after the rains, with waterfalls flowing and the forest at its most vivid.

Cuban weather is hot, humid and unpredictable in June. The wet season is well underway and cloud cover is often heavy, but for those who don’t mind the heat, this month offers quieter cultural sites and excellent value.

Anglers from around the world compete in the International Ernest Hemingway Needlefish Tournament off the coast of Havana in June, whilst music enthusiasts attend the Boleros de Oro festival, celebrating Cuba’s beloved bolero genre. Outside the cities, the wetlands of Ciénaga de Zapata are alive with birdlife. Early morning excursions offer the best chance to spot flamingos, trogons and the endemic bee hummingbird.

July is one of Cuba’s hottest and most humid months, especially in eastern provinces where temperatures can reach 38°C. Rainfall remains high and humidity often feels oppressive. Despite the conditions, this is a peak holiday month for domestic tourism, so expect beaches and resorts to be busy. 

Take refuge in the cool interiors of Havana’s art galleries and museums, or escape to the breezy hills of Vinales for sweeping valley views. For those keen to embrace the heat, head for the coast, where the coral reefs off María la Gorda and the Bay of Pigs offer excellent snorkelling and diving. 

We don’t recommend travelling to Cuba during hurricane season.

We don’t recommend travelling to Cuba during hurricane season.

We don’t recommend travelling to Cuba during hurricane season.

November marks the beginning of the dry season, bringing a noticeable drop in humidity and only around 45 mm of rainfall in Havana. With daytime temperatures averaging 28°C and the risk of hurricanes receding, it’s one of the most comfortable months for exploring the country.

Thousands of runners participate in the Marabana Havana Marathon, which winds through the colonial streets of Old and Central Havana. This is one of the best times to go to Cuba on a road trip, with dry roads and clear skies making the journey between provinces a pleasure. Stop at tobacco farms in Vinales, explore the pastel-hued streets of Trinidad or unwind on the quiet southern beaches before the high season begins in earnest.

December ushers cooler, drier weather and the start of the main tourist season into Cuba. Average highs drop to around 26°C and rainfall is at its lowest of the year. Crisp mornings and clear skies create perfect conditions for exploring Havana’s plazas, cycling through the countryside or relaxing on the beaches of Varadero and Cayo Santa María.

In the colonial town of Remedios, the Parrandas de Remedios light up the week before Christmas with street parades, rumba ensembles and a fireworks competition. Elsewhere, Christmas is typically a low-key, family-focused affair. In Havana and larger towns, visitors can enjoy seasonal dinners in paladares (privately owned restaurants), where roast pork and rice with black beans replace the traditional turkey.