Best time to visit Cuba
In principle, you can visit Cuba all year round, but the best time to go is between November and May during the dry season. As the country is close to the equator, it is almost always warm and has only two seasons. From June to November, there is a chance of hurricanes passing through, which often come and go quickly.
In brief:
- The dry season runs from November to April;
- The rainy season runs from May to October, but don’t let that put you off travelling during this time, as the showers are usually limited to the afternoon; there is a higher risk of hurricanes during this season.
- Temperatures fluctuate throughout the year, averaging between 25 and 30 degrees, depending on which area you are in.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Min. temperature ˚C | 17 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 18 |
| Max. temperature ˚C | 26 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 27 |
| Number of hours of sunshine per day | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 7 |
Cuba generally has a tropical savannah climate influenced by the sea. Summers are hot and very humid, whilst winters are relatively dry. Temperatures remain high throughout the year. Winter (December to February) is slightly cooler and therefore more pleasant for many people. The rainy season runs from May to October, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in June, September and October. Rain showers are often short but intense. Humidity is considerably higher during this period, which can make conditions feel rather unpleasant. From June to November, there is a risk of hurricanes, which come and go quickly. The disruption caused by hurricanes lasts only a few days; Cubans are used to this.
All the information you need about the best time to visit Cuba at a glance
- You can visit Cuba all year round;
- Due to its location close to the equator, it is almost always warm there, although it can get cooler in the evenings in the higher (mountainous) areas;
- The dry season runs from November to April;
- The rainy season runs from May to October. During these months, there is the most rainfall and humidity is high;
- During the rainy season, which coincides with the hurricane season, Cuba can be affected by hurricanes sweeping through the Caribbean.
The best time to visit Cuba when travelling with children
If you’re travelling with your children, the best time to visit Cuba is during the Christmas holidays, the spring half-term or the May half-term. During these periods, you’ll be travelling in the dry season with more pleasant temperatures, and the risk of hurricanes is virtually nil. If you’re travelling during the Christmas holidays, it’s the peak tourist season. So make sure you start planning your unique trip in good time to avoid finding that accommodation is no longer available.
Time difference between Cuba and the Netherlands/Belgium
Cuba operates on two time zones: summer time and winter time. As a result, it is always 6 hours earlier in Cuba than in the Netherlands/Belgium throughout the year.
Exceptions to this are the periods between the second and last Sunday in March and between the last Sunday in October and the first Sunday in November, when it is 5 hours earlier in Cuba than in the Netherlands/Belgium.
How long is the flight to Cuba?
There are no direct flights from Amsterdam to Havana. You will always have to change flights. The minimum journey time from Amsterdam to Havana is 14 hours and 50 minutes, including transit time. This time may be longer depending on the flight route and transit time.
Fancy a trip of Cuba?
Would you like to organise your own trip of Cuba and are you curious about the options? Then do have a look at the itineraries we’ve put together for inspiration. You can book these tours directly, but we’d also be happy to put together a personalised itinerary based on your wishes and ideas.
Do you have a question? Please feel free to contact us. Call us on +31 73 610 62 04 or send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nl. We’ll be happy to help.