Season guide · Havana · Cuba
Havana in summer
July–August: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Very hot and humid, with Carnaval on the Malecón and beaches crowded with Cuban families. Expect highs up to 32°C (90°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F), with about 22 rainy days across July–August.
Key facts
- Months
- July–August
- Temperatures
- 24°C (75°F) to 32°C (90°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 22
- Sea
- 29°C (84°F) to 30°C (86°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in summer
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July | 32°C (90°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 | 13.4 h | 3/5 |
| August | 32°C (90°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 12 | 12.9 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 32°C (90°F) against a yearly 29°C (84°F), and 22 of the year's roughly 99 rainy days fall in these 2 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in summer
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- July: Carnaval de La Habana along the Malecón (usually July or August)
Good choices for summer
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
Museum · Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
The national art museum is split between two buildings near Parque Central: the Arte Cubano building with Cuban art from the colonial era to the present, including Wifredo Lam and René Portocarrero, and the Arte Universal building with European and ancient collections.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- History
Day trips in summer
- Varadero (About 2 hours by car) — Cuba's best-known beach resort runs along a 20-km peninsula of white sand and shallow turquoise water, lined mostly with all-inclusive hotels.
- 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.
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 summer a good time to visit Havana?
It is a trade-off: Very hot and humid, with Carnaval on the Malecón and beaches crowded with Cuban families. The best months overall are November–April.
+What is the weather like in Havana in summer?
Highs of up to 32°C (90°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F), with about 22 rainy days over the season.