When Is The Best Time To Visit Cuba?

There is no bad time to visit Cuba. The trade-offs are crowds, price, rain, heat and advance travel planning. Peak season is December through March, when the appeal of escaping winter is the strongest. Prices are higher and reservations require more advance planning, but the weather is just about perfect. The absolute best time to visit is the week immediately following New Year’s Day. The holiday crowds are gone, but the flawless weather remains.

Vintage cars cruising through Havana’s historic streets provide the perfect view of the city’s architectural wonders, some of which date back to the sixteenth century.

November, April and May are wonderful months to visit as well, with slightly warmer temperatures, more available hotel options and less crowds. Visiting Cuba in November, you are likely to see world travelers and locals alike running through the streets in the Marabana Marathon. Will Smith ran in 2018, and there’s no telling who you’ll catch racing through the capital city!

June, July and August are hotter, especially the latter two months. But average August highs of 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) give way to cool evening lows of 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius), and crowds are lighter still during the summer months, providing more flexibility with travel planning. Celebrate Father’s Day in June, or take a trip to the tropical island before the kids start school in August. There is no better place to spend quality time with family than in Cuba.

September and October are wetter months, but Caribbean rain is unpredictable, sporadic and can happen on any trip. October showcases Cuba’s arts with events such as the Havana Theater Festival, Matanzas Rumba Festival and Havana National Ballet Festival taking place throughout the month. Start planning your travel, pick your dates and ask Cuba Candela what events you are likely to see during your time in Cuba. If you are traveling in August – October, you may want to buy insurance to protect against a hurricane disrupting your travel plans.

Note that with Cuba Candela, your car and accommodation will always have air conditioning. Consider the trade-offs above and plan your trip when it works best for you!

How far in advance should I plan my trip?

If possible, you should try to plan 3-6 months in advance, particularly if you plan to travel in December or March, the busiest months of the year, or during other holiday weekends such as Thanksgiving, MLK Day, President’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, etc. Great accommodations are limited in Cuba and the best restaurants do sell out, so the more advance planning you can do, the better your options will be.

Classic Cuban dishes such as ropa vieja and arroz con pollo pair perfectly with an ice cold mojito and delectable island view.

That being said, because getting a flight and visa are super easy, it is also possible to book last-minute travel arrangements to Cuba. The biggest challenge for last-minute arrangements is accommodation.