Summer throughout Cuba — the warmest time of the year, but check the weather forecast before booking your trip, especially during the hurricane season from June to November. Schools in Cuba close in July and August, so numerous local tourists join the foreigners. Cultural festivals and live music fill the calendar all year round.
High season from November to March — it's crowds of travelers and expensive accommodation.
Between November and March, vacationers from the Nordic countries come to Cuba. Incredible variety of migratory birds — more than 260 types — use the island as a temporary transit point at this time of the year. Prices for hotels and homestay (yes, this is quite popular) are the highest, and by Christmas and New Year they rise even higher. It is usually warm here, but weather fronts moving in from the north can bring short periods of cooling between December and February.
July and August — hottest months to visit Cuba and busiest. In addition, a fair amount of rain falls here. Local schools are closed, so beaches and hotels in popular tourist destinations are overcrowded. For example, in Varadero and on the adjacent islands, such as Cayo Coco. Be sure to book your accommodation in advance.
April and October are best suited for a secluded relaxing holiday. By April, the weather in Cuba is already warm and there is less rain than at the beginning of summer. The beaches are less crowded than during the high summer season, with the exception of “Semana de la Victoria” (Victory Week) when Cubans take a break to celebrate Fidel Castro's victory at Playa Giron in 1961. This event sometimes coincides with Easter week, when there are many foreign tourists.
October is still hot, but not as stuffy, and this month — perhaps the best time to catch it before the peak season. True, there is a risk of severe tropical storms — hurricane season ends in November.
Low season months — May, June and September — best suited for travelers on a budget. At the beginning and at the end of the Cuban summer it is rainy and hot, but the low season — good time to take advantage of the lowest prices in hotels. Avoid sunbathing between 11:00 and 16:00 to reduce the risk of sunburn.
Be sure to check the weather forecast before your arrival: from June to November — hurricane season, and there's always a chance of a big storm.
January brings music lovers to the cities. Cold fronts make January evenings cooler. The jazz festival opens at the beginning of the year in Havana and Santiago de Cuba, gathering musicians and fans from all over the world. Peak season — this is necessarily high prices for hotels, transfers and tours.
Clear water and sunny days make Februarythe best time for diving and snorkeling on the south coast of Cuba. The peak tourist season is in full swing, so book your car and hotel well in advance.
Migratory birds mix with native species as they fly through Cuba in March, making this the best month for birdwatching, especially in the wetlands of Ciénaga de Zapata and the Guanahacabibes peninsula in Pinar del Río. The dry season is also ideal for other outdoor activities — hiking and cycling.
April — usually dry month. With the exception of the busy Easter holidays, April offers low prices and almost empty beaches. This is one of the driest months of the year, perfect for outdoor activities.
The lowest month of summer, June — the beginning of the hurricane season, but the day is still warm and comfortable.
July— it's school holidays, when Cuban families go on vacation to the coast. Masses of people will sunbathe wherever there is water. Santiago de Cuba hosts Carnival, one of the busiest festivals in the country.
Augustfilled with music and festivals: Havana organizes its carnival, and Varadero hosts a fantastic music festival that combines the best of both worlds: jazz and cubano dream — a Cuban musical genre that is considered the basis of modern salsa. Hotel prices drop after August 25 and stay low until the end of October.
September — quite a calm month for tourism in Cuba, the probability of storms is quite high. Prices are dropping and budget travelers can enjoy less crowded beaches.
Unbearably hot days are slowly fading away, but the threat of tropical storms is scaring tourists away. October ends with ballet lovers and students filling the theaters of Havana.
In November, the number of travelers increases again. The end of the year brings relatively cool days and a sharp rise in accommodation prices. Renting a car is getting more and more difficult. The Havana Marathon attracts over 2,000 participants from all over the world.
December — the most expensive time to stay in Cuba, the busiest and most beautiful month of the year. Havana hosts a film festival, and at events in the province, locals go crazy with fireworks in Parrandas and Charangas. The weather is mild, usually dry and sunny.