Month guide · Havana · Cuba
Havana in May
What May is really like in Havana: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: JOAQUIND, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
May is a good-value shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 30°C (86°F), lows of 22°C (72°F), about 8 rainy days and roughly 13.2 hours of daylight. The rainy season begins with afternoon thunderstorms; humidity rises and crowds thin.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 30°C (86°F) / 22°C (72°F)
- Rainy days
- About 8
- Daylight
- About 13.2 hours
- Sea temperature
- 27°C (81°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Havana: days average 30°C (86°F) against a yearly average high of 29°C (84°F), and nights fall to about 22°C (72°F). Rain falls on roughly 8 of its 31 days. Compared with April (29°C (84°F)), May is about as warm; by June highs stay near 31°C (88°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 06:48
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 20:03
- Daylight
- About 13.2 hours
- Sea
- 27°C (81°F)
Dry season (November–April). Warm, sunny and less humid, with the busiest cultural calendar; book casas early for Christmas, New Year and February.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 2 for crowds (the peak is December at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in December). That makes May one of the better-value months to book.
Events in May
May has no major recurring festival in Havana, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Castle · La Habana del Este
Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña
Arrive by about 8:30pm to find a good spot along the wall for the cannon ceremony.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- After dark
- Kids
- Views
Architecture · Vedado
Hotel Nacional de Cuba
The 1930 Art Deco and neo-colonial hotel on a bluff above the Malecón has hosted film stars and politicians.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Couples
- Views
- Architecture
Religious site · Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
Plaza de la Catedral and Havana Cathedral
Come early in the morning or at dusk, when the stone glows and the tour groups have gone.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Photo spot
Historic site · Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
Plaza Vieja
Restored mansions with stained-glass fanlights and arcades surround this broad 16th-century square, which once held the city's market.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Food
- Iconic
The sea averages 27°C (81°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Havana.
What to pack
For highs near 30°C, lows near 22°C and 8 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Havana?
A good-value shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, November–April are better overall. Compare every month.
Havana in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Havana?
It is a good-value shoulder-season month. The rainy season begins with afternoon thunderstorms; humidity rises and crowds thin.
+How warm is Havana in May?
Average highs are around 30°C (86°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Havana in May?
Expect rain on about 8 days of the month.