Season guide · Havana · Cuba
Havana in the hurricane peak
September–October: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ivan2010, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The wettest months with the highest storm risk; the quietest and lowest-priced time to visit. Expect highs up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F), with about 25 rainy days across September–October.
Key facts
- Months
- September–October
- Temperatures
- 22°C (72°F) to 31°C (88°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 25
- Sea
- 28°C (82°F) to 29°C (84°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in the hurricane peak
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 31°C (88°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 13 | 12.2 h | 1/5 |
| October | 29°C (84°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 12 | 11.6 h | 2/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 30°C (86°F) against a yearly 29°C (84°F), and 25 of the year's roughly 99 rainy days fall in these 2 months. Crowds rate 2/5 and hotel prices 2/5 on average.
Good choices for the hurricane peak
Museum · Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
If time is short, choose the Cuban art building; it is the collection you can't see anywhere else.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- History
Architecture · Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
Gran Teatro de La Habana Alicia Alonso
The neo-baroque theatre on Parque Central, crowned with sculpted angels, is home to the Ballet Nacional de Cuba.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Art
- After dark
- Rainy day
Castle · Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
Castillo de la Real Fuerza
Climb the tower for a view over the harbour and Plaza de Armas.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
Day trips in the hurricane peak
- Matanzas (About 1 hour 30 minutes by car) — Known as the 'Athens of Cuba', Matanzas has bridges over two rivers, the neoclassical Teatro Sauto, a historic pharmacy museum and strong Afro-Cuban musical traditions; the danzón originated here.
- Playas del Este (About 30–40 minutes by car) — The nearest good beaches to Havana, with Santa María del Mar offering fine white sand and clear water, and Guanabo a livelier local beach town.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the hurricane peak a good time to visit Havana?
It is a trade-off: The wettest months with the highest storm risk; the quietest and lowest-priced time to visit. The best months overall are November–April.
+What is the weather like in Havana in the hurricane peak?
Highs of up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F), with about 25 rainy days over the season.