Season guide · Havana · Cuba
Havana in the dry season
November–April: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Tacorontey, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Warm, sunny and less humid, with the busiest cultural calendar; book casas early for Christmas, New Year and February. Expect highs up to 29°C (84°F) and lows around 18°C (64°F), with about 32 rainy days across November–April. November–April are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- November–April
- Temperatures
- 18°C (64°F) to 29°C (84°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 32
- Sea
- 25°C (77°F) to 27°C (81°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in the dry season
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°C (79°F) | 18°C (64°F) | 6 | 10.9 h | 4/5 |
| February | 26°C (79°F) | 18°C (64°F) | 5 | 11.4 h | 4/5 |
| March | 27°C (81°F) | 19°C (66°F) | 4 | 12 h | 4/5 |
| April | 29°C (84°F) | 20°C (68°F) | 4 | 12.7 h | 3/5 |
| November | 27°C (81°F) | 20°C (68°F) | 7 | 11 h | 3/5 |
| December | 26°C (79°F) | 19°C (66°F) | 6 | 10.7 h | 5/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 27°C (81°F) against a yearly 29°C (84°F), and 32 of the year's roughly 99 rainy days fall in these 6 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in the dry season
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- February: International Book Fair at La Cabaña (usually February)
- February: Habanos Festival — cigar festival (usually late February or March)
- November: Anniversary of the city's founding, celebrated at El Templete (16 November)
- December: International Festival of New Latin American Cinema (usually December)
- December: Havana International Jazz Festival (usually December or January)
Make the most of the weather
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Waterfront · Centro Habana
Malecón
The 8-km seawall and boulevard runs from the harbour mouth west to the Almendares River, past weathered façades in Centro Habana and the Hotel Nacional.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Couples
- After dark
- Views
- Photo spot
Castle · La Habana del Este
Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro
Go in the late afternoon, then walk to La Cabaña for the evening cannon ceremony.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Iconic
- Kids
Castle · La Habana del Este
Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña
One of the largest Spanish colonial fortresses in the Americas stretches along the ridge east of the harbour.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- After dark
- Kids
- Views
Architecture · Vedado
Hotel Nacional de Cuba
Order a mojito in the garden at sunset, with the Malecón curving away below.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Couples
- Views
- Architecture
Day trips in the dry season
- Viñales Valley (About 2 hours 30 minutes–3 hours by car) — A UNESCO-listed valley of limestone mogotes, red-earth tobacco farms and caves.
- Las Terrazas and Soroa (About 1 hour 15 minutes by car) — Las Terrazas is a reforested eco-village in the Sierra del Rosario with river pools, ruined coffee plantations and a zip line over the forest.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the dry season a good time to visit Havana?
Yes: November–April are among the best months. Warm, sunny and less humid, with the busiest cultural calendar; book casas early for Christmas, New Year and February.
+What is the weather like in Havana in the dry season?
Highs of up to 29°C (84°F) and lows around 18°C (64°F), with about 32 rainy days over the season.