When is the best time to go to Cuba?

Cuba is attractive and popular with tourists throughout the year. Therefore, one has a vast choice of periods to combine the preferred cultural discoveries with relaxing days. If one desires to visit Cuba, in reference to the best climatic period, one should choose the dry season which runs from November to April. However, as this period also coincides with the peak tourist season, one's overall travel budget may be more costly, in comparison to a travel budget during the low tourist season.

From May to October, Cuba is faced with the wet season although the weather is still beautiful enough to allow tourists to wander among the streets, enjoy the sun, discover the old colonial buildings and take a ride aboard an old, yet still gleaming car. Cubans are in fact known as masters in the art of old vehicle restoration for generations, as much as they are also masters in the art of partying. If one enjoys mingling with the crowd, do not miss the carnival of Santiago, which takes place in July. If one decides to visit Cuba outside of the high season, the opportunity to discover this wondrous island in all its authenticity is also possible.

So, when is the best time to go to Cuba? Here's some more information to help you in your decision:

  • In Cuba, the weather is good everywhere in January, February, March, April, November and December
  • The best months to go to Havana are January, February, March, April, November and December
  • On average, the warmest months in Havana are April, May, June, July, August, September and October
  • The rainiest months in this city are June, July, August, September and October
  • The cities with the best climate are Holguín, Baracoa, Caibarién (La Villa Blanca), Guanahacabibes, Guardalavaca, María La Gorda, Nibujón, Playa Imias, Punta de Maisí and Soroa, with good weather at least 11 months a year
  • The best months for swimming in Havana are April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November



Annual weather in Cuba

For information about the climate and the weather city by city in Cuba for a specific month, click on the corresponding line below:

January 65°F to 86°F
1 to 6 days*
February 65°F to 88°F
1 to 5 days*
March 67°F to 88°F
1 to 5 days*
April 70°F to 92°F
2 to 11 days*
May 72°F to 92°F
6 to 20 days*
June 76°F to 94°F
5 to 20 days*
July 76°F to 95°F
4 to 22 days*
August 76°F to 95°F
4 to 23 days*
September 74°F to 92°F
6 to 22 days*
October 72°F to 90°F
7 to 17 days*
November 68°F to 88°F
2 to 8 days*
December 67°F to 86°F
1 to 7 days*
* weather varies across the country

Best time to travel to Cuba by cities

Chargement en cours
Havana

Havana

The best months to go to Havana are january, february, march, april, november and december.

Cayo Coco

Cayo Coco

The best months to go to Cayo Coco are january, february, march, april, november and december.

Holguín

Holguín

The best months to go to Holguín are january, february, march, april, may, june, july, august, september, october, november and december.

See full list of cities


Climate and Weather in Cuba

Located just off the US coast, Cuba has an overall pleasant weather and a moderate subtropical climate with a predominance for warm temperatures. There are generally two seasons that pass throughout the year, the dry season from late November to May and the rainy season from June to October or November. The latter is characterized by particularly heavy but short rain, especially at the very end of the day. Additionally, the rainy season in Cuba is particularly warm.

Cuba: Le Capitole de la Havane

The Cuban climate is mild throughout the entire year, thanks to its optimal location at the entrance of the Gulf of Mexico - there are on average 330 sunny days per year! The sea temperature appears pleasant throughout the whole of the island and it is even more so in the further south, especially towards Santiago de Cuba where the water can climb an easy 2 or 3° C higher. The climate in Cuba is also characterized by the presence of many cyclones between the months of June and November, with October being the most affected month - especially when looking at Havana, the capital - which is generally more exposed due to its location on the north coast of the island. During the dry season, temperatures can drop drastically in the evening, refreshing somewhat the ambient atmosphere, especially with the cold winds coming in through the north of the island.

To the west of Cuba, there are a few drier, desert-like areas where one will feel less ambient humidity.


Temperatures and rainfall in Cuba

On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Cuba and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Havana, Cayo Coco, Holguín, Santa Clara and Santiago de Cuba, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.


Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Cuba

Find out when Cuba has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.

Tourist seasons in Cuba

The months with low numbers of tourists are: May, June, July, September and October. The number of visitors to Cuba is high in: January, February, March, April, August, November and December.

  • Very low season in Cuba: May, June, September and October.
  • Low season in Cuba: July.
  • High season in Cuba: April and November.
  • Peak season in Cuba: January, February, March, August and December.

Figure: Visitor index for Cuba month by month


Average price for flights to Cuba

A return flight between New York City and Havana is generally cheaper if you go in november ($ 612 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 274 more for your airline ticket to Havana if you go in july.

Find the best price for your flight



Where to go in Cuba?

This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).

Cities jan.feb.mar.apr.mayjun.jul.aug.sep.oct.nov.dec.
Havana79°F83°F85°F90°F90°F90°F92°F92°F92°F88°F83°F81°F
Cayo Coco77°F77°F77°F81°F83°F85°F86°F86°F86°F85°F81°F79°F
Holguín85°F86°F86°F90°F90°F92°F94°F94°F92°F90°F86°F85°F
Santa Clara81°F83°F85°F90°F90°F90°F92°F92°F90°F88°F83°F83°F
Santiago de Cuba85°F86°F86°F88°F88°F90°F92°F92°F90°F90°F88°F86°F
Trinidad79°F81°F83°F85°F85°F86°F88°F88°F86°F85°F83°F81°F
Varadero79°F83°F83°F88°F88°F90°F92°F92°F90°F86°F83°F81°F
Baracoa81°F81°F81°F83°F85°F86°F86°F86°F86°F86°F83°F81°F
Camagüey83°F86°F86°F90°F90°F92°F92°F94°F92°F88°F85°F85°F
Cayo Largo79°F79°F79°F81°F83°F85°F86°F86°F86°F85°F83°F81°F
Isla de la Juventud79°F79°F81°F85°F85°F86°F88°F88°F88°F86°F83°F81°F
Vinales79°F81°F85°F88°F88°F90°F92°F92°F90°F86°F83°F81°F
Bayamo85°F86°F88°F90°F90°F92°F94°F94°F92°F90°F86°F85°F
Caibarién (La Villa Blanca)79°F81°F81°F85°F86°F88°F88°F90°F88°F86°F83°F81°F
Cárdenas79°F83°F83°F88°F88°F90°F92°F92°F90°F86°F83°F81°F
Cayo Cruz77°F77°F77°F81°F83°F85°F86°F86°F86°F85°F81°F79°F
Cayo Guillermo77°F77°F77°F81°F83°F85°F86°F86°F86°F85°F81°F79°F
Cayo Levisa79°F83°F85°F88°F90°F90°F92°F92°F90°F88°F83°F81°F
Cayo Romano77°F77°F77°F81°F83°F85°F86°F86°F86°F85°F81°F79°F
Cayo Sabinal81°F83°F83°F86°F88°F90°F90°F92°F90°F88°F85°F83°F

Legend:

perfect weather

good weather

tolerable weather

bad weather



About Cuba

What can I do in Cuba?

Beaches / swimming

Nature and countryside

Culture and heritage

Sports

Family travel

Crafts / shopping

Gastronomy

Nightlife



Is this weather information for Cuba reliable?

Climate data for Cuba has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Cuba allows us to determine the average for each month in Havana, Cayo Coco, Holguín, Santa Clara, Santiago de Cuba, Trinidad, Varadero, Baracoa, and 58 other cities.

So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.

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