Best Time to Visit Havana

When to visit Havana

November–April dry season (24–28°C, low humidity) — peak. Late-January Havana Jazz Festival draws global musicians. February Habanos Cigar Festival. May–October green season (28–33°C, humid); September–November is hurricane risk. Christmas + New Year books out 4+ months ahead. Avoid August peak heat + humidity unless you love it slow.

What each season changes

Havana is Cuba's magnetic capital — UNESCO Habana Vieja + Malecón + Vedado + Plaza de la Revolución, 1950s American classic cars, son + rumba + jazz (Fábrica de Arte Cubano), Cohiba cigars, Havana Club rum. One of Latin America's most photogenic + culturally intense cities, best paired with Viñales tobacco valley or Trinidad colonial time-capsule.

Season and price

Hotel rates in Havana follow demand more closely than weather. Shifting your dates by a week either side of a peak period often moves the nightly rate more than switching hotel category — check live prices for both before committing.

Seasonal planning tips

• Bring cash EUR / CAD / GBP — US-issued credit + debit cards do not work in Cuba; hotels only accept limited foreign cards.

• Casas particulares (government-licensed private homestays) are often better + cheaper than hotels — Airbnb + Cuba Junky work.

• Buy an Etecsa Wi-Fi scratch card or ETECSA data eSIM — Wi-Fi is now widely available in hotels + parks + squares (better than 5 years ago).