Often called the no-winter island, Cuba cycles by way of gentle to heat to hot-as-hell climate with the altering seasons. With its attractive seashores and tropical local weather, sunbathing is feasible in Cuba year-round.
Summer time sees the warmest climate, however examine the climate forecasts earlier than reserving your journey, notably throughout the June to November hurricane season. Faculties in Cuba shut down in July and August, making this a busy time for native tourism. Cultural festivals and reside music fill the calendar all yr.
Right here’s the lowdown on the very best time to go to Cuba, the Caribbean’s greatest island.
The November to March excessive season brings crowds and dear lodging
Between November and March, Cuba is invaded by holidaymakers from the north as households escape the chilly North American winter. An unimaginable number of migratory birds – greater than 260 species – use the island as a short lived staging put up right now of yr. Costs are at their highest for lodges and homestays, rising even greater round Christmas and New 12 months. It is typically heat, however climate fronts transferring in from the north can deliver temporary chilly snaps between December and February.
July and August are the most well liked occasions to go to Cuba
The summer time months of July and August are the liveliest time of the yr to go to Cuba but in addition the most well liked, and there is a truthful quantity of rain. Native faculties are closed, so anticipate jam-packed seashores and busy lodges in in style vacationer locations resembling Varadero and on fringing islands resembling Cayo Coco. Make sure you e book lodging and actions prematurely.
April and October are finest for fewer crowds
By April, the climate in Cuba is already heat and it is much less wet than within the upcoming months of early summer time. Seashores are additionally much less crowded than they’re throughout summer time’s peak season, besides throughout Semana de la Victoria (Victory Week) when Cubans trip to have a good time the island’s victory over anti-Castro forces at Playa Girón in 1961. This occasion generally overlaps with Easter week, which sees a surge in overseas guests on trip.
October remains to be sizzling however not as muggy because the summer time, and this month is the very best time to catch a superb deal earlier than peak season hits. Bear in mind that there is a threat of extreme tropical storms earlier than the hurricane season ends in November.
The off-season months of Could, June and September are finest for price range vacationers
It’s wet and sizzling at first and finish of the Cuban summer time, however the off-season is the very best time to reap the benefits of lodges and casas particulares (non-public homestays) providing the bottom costs. Keep away from mendacity within the solar between 11am and 4pm to scale back the chance of sunburn.
At all times examine the climate forecast earlier than you come: June to November is hurricane season, and there is at all times the possibility of a robust storm. In Could, Romerías de Mayo brings music followers to Holguín, and Mayo Teatral in Havana is nice for lovers of theater and drama.
January attracts music followers to the cities
Chilly fronts deliver cooler evenings in January. A start-of-the-year jazz competition sees jam classes in cities resembling Havana and Santiago de Cuba, drawing musicians and followers from all around the world. Peak season means costs are excessive for lodges, transfers and excursions.
Key occasions: Pageant Internacional de Jazz.
Diving situations are best in February
Clear waters and sunny days – offering a chilly entrance hasn’t drifted in – make February the very best time for diving and snorkeling on Cuba’s south coast. Peak vacationer season remains to be in full swing, making reservations important for lodging and automobile rental.
Key occasions: Pageant de la Salsa, Feria Internacional del Libro, Habanos Pageant.
Birds migrate by way of Cuba in March
Migratory birds mingle with resident species as they fly by way of Cuba in March, making this the very best month for birdwatching, particularly within the wetlands of Ciénaga de Zapata and Peninsula de Guanahacabibes in Pinar del Río. The dry season can also be best for different outside actions resembling mountain climbing and biking.
Key occasions: Havana World Music Pageant, Pageant de la Trova “Pepe Sánchez”.
April is normally a dry month
Besides throughout the busy Easter vacation, April provides low-season costs and practically empty seashores. This is without doubt one of the driest months of the yr, best for outside actions, and there are some large occasions.
Key occasions: Semana de la Cultura Baracoesa, Bienal Internacional del Humor.
The LGBTIQ+ neighborhood is widely known in Could
The most effective month for price range vacationers coincides with a three-week celebration of the LGBTIQ+ neighborhood, the Conga Cubana contra la Homofobia y la Transfobia, a music parade that showcases colourful dances all through Havana’s La Rampa (Calle 23). Anticipate performances of conga – a mode of Cuban rumba that’s danced whereas strolling – alongside instructional workshops, concert events and conferences. Resort lodges and casas particulares provide considerably decrease costs.
Key occasions: Primero de Mayo, Mayo Teatral, Romerías de Mayo, Cubadisco, Día Internacional Contra la Homofobia, Transfobia y Bifobia.
June marks the beginning of hurricane season
The bottom month of the off-season, June is the beginning of hurricane season, however you’ll be able to nonetheless take in heat days on the seaside with few different guests. This month is an effective time to keep away from the crowds and luxuriate in provincial festivals.
Key occasions: Pageant Nacional de Changüí, Jornada Cucalambeana, Pageant Internacional “Boleros de Oro”, Fiestas Sanjuaneras.
July is college break and when Cuban households take their holidays
The most popular days of summer time are coming as Cuban households head to the coast on college breaks – anticipate plenty of individuals sunbathing wherever there’s water. Santiago de Cuba hosts Carnaval, one of many nation’s liveliest festivals.
Key occasions: Pageant del Caribe, Fiesta del Fuego, Carnaval de Santiago de Cuba, Pageant Internacional de Cine de Gibara.
August is stuffed with music and festivals
Nonetheless peak summer time, August fills the island with music as Havana organizes its carnival and Varadero hosts a incredible music competition that mixes the very best of each worlds: jazz and son cubano – a Cuban music style thought-about to be the inspiration of contemporary salsa. Lodge charges go down after August 25 and keep low till the tip of October.
Key occasions: Pageant Varadero Josone Jazz and Son, Pageant Internacional “Habana Hip-Hop”, Carnaval de la Habana.
The climate is normally stormy in September
A relatively quiet month for tourism in Cuba, September sees hurricane season hit laborious, with an opportunity of storms even when there’s nothing at hurricane degree. Costs plunge and price range vacationers can reap the benefits of much less crowded seashores.
Key occasions: Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de la Caridad del Cobre.
It is beginning to quiet down in October
The uncomfortably sizzling days are slowly fading, however the specter of tropical storms retains guests away. October ends with ballet buffs and college students packing Havana’s theaters.
Key occasions: Pageant Internacional de Ballet de la Habana, Pageant Internacional Timbalaye, Fiesta de la Cultura Iberoamericana.
Customer numbers enhance once more in November
The top of the yr brings comparatively cooler days and a surge in lodging charges. Rental automobiles get more durable to e book as customer numbers rise. Across the time of Havana’s anniversary celebrations, the Marabana Marathon attracts greater than 2000 opponents from around the globe.
Key occasions: Benny Moré Worldwide Music Pageant, Fiesta de los Bandos Rojo y Azul, Marabana-Maracuba, Baila en Cuba, Ciudad Metallic.
December is the costliest time to remain in Cuba
The busiest and most stunning month of the yr, December comes with the costliest charges at resorts and homestays. A film festival takes over Havana whereas provincial occasions see locals go firework-crazy in Parrandas and Charangas. The climate is gentle however normally dry and sunny.
Key occasions: Pageant Internacional del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano, Las Parrandas de Remedios, Las Charangas de Bejucal, Procesión de San Lázaro.
