Best Time to Visit Cuba

Best Months: January | February | March | April

January through April is the best time to visit Cuba for great weather as these months fall within the dry season and temperatures are comfortable for outdoor experiences.

Sunshine floods Cuba’s beaches during this time of the year, the rainforests shimmer beneath the golden light, and cultural experiences invite visitors to embrace the local traditions and customs. There is plenty to love about Cuba, whether you wish to lounge on the soft sands, watch street performers salsa under the stars, or hike through the magnificent national parks in great weather.

In the event of an odd downpour, exceptional indoor experiences abound in the bustling cities and you can explore museums, architectural sites, and galleries in these unlikely circumstances.

Best Months: December | January | February | July

Festivals play an important role in celebrating Cuban culture and the best time to visit for the most significant cultural experiences is during December, January, February, and July.

The 10-day Havana Film Festival in December honors Latin American cinema creatives, the Havana International Jazz Festival in January attracts the country’s greatest musical performers, the Cuban Cigar Festival in February celebrates the country’s historic export, and the Santiago de Cuba Carnival combines the country’s distinct cultural influences.

These are a few prominent festivals that will allow you to explore Cuba’s culture, though you can enjoy it year-round during tours that showcase the cuisine, heritage highlights, and creative talents.

Best Months: November | December | January | February

Cuba’s wildlife and marine creatures thrive in rainforests covering the foothills of towering mountains and reefs out at sea, and the best time to visit for viewing the endemic creatures is from November to March.

This is the best time for outdoor experiences as sunshine filters through the forest canopy and illuminates the flourishing flora flanking the shady trails. Besides the curious four-legged creatures scuttling through the greenery, you can keep your eyes peeled for colorful migratory birds that flock to the shelter of the Cuban rainforest. The snorkeling experiences are also brilliant during this time as marine creatures and dazzling coral can be seen in the crystal-clear sea.

Bee hummingbirds, Cuban parakeets, Antillean manatees, and Hawksbill turtles are among the many land and sea creatures to spot as you wander the wilderness and snorkel in the sea.

Best Months: December | January

The best time to visit Cuba on your honeymoon or as a couple is during December and January.

Most travelers visit Cuba during March, so you can enjoy a vacation before the peak month when crowds have already come and gone. You can be the first to step foot on the breathtaking beaches and embrace Cuba’s charms privately. You can also celebrate the new year in style during flamboyant events that occur around that time.

These months are also perfect for dreamy island retreats in Cuba as the weather is comfortable, sunshine prevails over the private beaches, and seasonal ingredients culminate in mouthwatering Cuban cuisine.

Best Months: April | May

The busiest time for travelers in Cuba is March as it offers the best weather conditions of the year, meaning the best time for families with children is following this peak month, when the crowds disperse and the weather is still perfect for outdoor experiences.

April represents the end of the dry season, yet rainfall typically only picks up in July, giving you plenty of time in April and May to experience the best of Cuba with your family. You can cruise across the glistening waters to enchanting coves, explore the wilderness in search of fabulous wildlife, and partake in inspiring Cuban cultural activities during this window.

If you time your trip right, you can book a Cuban family vacation during the spring or summer break.

Best Months: July | August

The best time to visit Cuba to avoid the crowds is during July and August.

While rain occurs during these times of the year, hurricane season has not yet arrived and there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors if the rain subsides, even for just a brief time. The perks of visiting at this time of the year are that there are hardly any crowds and you may have parts of the island, like hiking trails and quiet coves, to yourself at times.

There are also many indoor activities that are as brilliant as the outdoor experiences in Cuba, such as salsa dancing and live music performances, museum tours, and heritage site excursions.

Best Months: May | June | July | August

Cuba’s summer months fall within the wet season between May and October, though rainfall only picks up from the end of July, and the best time for spring and summer activities is in the months leading up to the start of hurricane season, September.

Temperatures from May to early July are comfortable and the downpours are less frequent, meaning you can still enjoy all of the country’s best experiences between rain showers. Over and above beach trips, hiking tours, and city excursions, when the weather is comfortable during this time of the year you can plan a trip to coincide with annual carnival experiences in Havana and Santiago in July and August.

In Cuba’s spring and summer months you can take advantage of the many cultural activities and outdoor experiences before peak-season crowds arrive.

Highlights: Visit museums and galleries in Old Havana | Fine dine at Cuban seaside restaurants | Uncover the heritage of Viñales | Experience birdwatching in the Ciénaga de Zapata wetlands

Cuba’s dry season lies within the country’s fall and winter months, with the best time to visit being from November to April.

The end of the year and early months of the new year are popular, as many travelers can find time for a break to bring their whole family. The beaches welcome crowds that flock to the sunny shores to swim in the crystal-clear seas. This time of the year presents optimal beach-going weather conditions and more perks that typically outweigh the busyness. Various cultural activities also take place at the end of the year, meaning December and January are great months to visit.

You can also enjoy the tropical paradise on tours that take you away from the crowds to uncover the hidden cultural, historical, and adventurous secrets of Cuba.

Highlights: Explore Old Havana | Witness the Cañonazo de las Nueve | Tour the Malecon | Discover Santiago de Cuba | Soak up the sunshine on Cuba’s beaches

Escape to the cultural centers of Cuba on honeymoon, wander the island’s thriving wildlife sanctuaries with your family, or delve into the musical heritage on tailored tours from our Cuba Tours & Vacations.

Most vacations in Cuba begin or end in the capital city of Havana and our travel specialists share everything you need to know about the Three Things to Do in Havana, Cuba.

Over and above this insight, you can contact a Zicasso Cuba travel specialist by completing a Trip Request or calling 1-888-265-9707 with any and all questions you may have when planning a trip to Cuba.