Weather in Havana

About Havana

Havana is a living time capsule — one that dances. The extraordinary colonial architecture along the Malecon seawall, the 1950s American cars in candy colours cruising the boulevards, the trova musicians in every doorway. Stay in a casa particular.

Country

Cuba

Best months to visit

January, February, March, November, December

Currency

CUP

Language

Spanish

Things to do in Havana

Old Havana walking Classic car tours Salsa dancing Hemingway trail Vinales Valley Cigar factories

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

Recommended

January

26C

Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.

Recommended

February

28C

Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.

Recommended

March

29C

Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.

April

31C

Hot and humid, with occasional showers.

May

31C

Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.

June

31C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

July

33C

Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.

August

33C

Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.

September

31C

Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.

October

30C

Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.

Recommended

November

28C

Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.

Recommended

December

27C

Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.

Havana is the world's most perfectly preserved time capsule — 1950s American cars in improbable pastels cruise boulevards lined with crumbling baroque palaces, son cubano drifts from every bar doorway, and the Malecón seawall at sunset becomes a kilometre-long social club where the whole city seems to gather. It's one of the most visually extraordinary cities on earth, simultaneously exhilarating and melancholy, and utterly unlike anywhere else you'll ever visit.

Best areas to stay in Havana

Habana Vieja (Old Havana)

A UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary Spanish colonial architecture — the finest concentration of baroque buildings in the Americas.

Vedado

Havana's elegant mid-century residential neighbourhood, home to the famous Hotel Nacional, the Malecón's best stretches, and the lively La Rampa entertainment district.

Miramar

A leafy western suburb of grand mansions and foreign embassies — slightly removed from tourist activity but home to some of Havana's best paladares (private restaurants).

The Malecón

Havana's iconic 8km seawall promenade — the social soul of the city, at its most magical at sunset when locals gather with rum and guitars.

Getting to Havana

✈

Flights

José Martí International Airport (HAV) is served from the UK via connecting hubs including Madrid (with Iberia), Paris (with Air France), and Toronto (with Air Canada); Thomson and TUI also offer package flight options.

⏱

From London

~12–14 hours total journey time from London

🚕

Getting around

Classic car taxis are the most enjoyable way to explore; negotiate prices upfront. Coco-taxis (three-wheelers) are fun for short hops. Viazul buses connect Havana to other Cuban cities.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Havana?

November to April is the dry season and most comfortable for visitors — temperatures hover around 25°C and humidity is lower. The wet season (May–October) includes hurricane risk from August–October but sees fewer tourists and greener landscapes.

Do I need a visa to visit Cuba?

UK tourists need a Cuban Tourist Card (Pink Card) — often available from airlines or travel agents. You'll also need travel insurance with medical coverage as Cuba requires proof of insurance on arrival.

Can I use credit or debit cards in Cuba?

US-issued cards don't work in Cuba, but UK Visa and Mastercard cards should function in some hotels and larger establishments. Carry significant cash (euros or Canadian dollars convert well) as ATMs are unreliable.

Is it safe to visit Cuba?

Cuba has a low crime rate compared to much of Latin America and is generally safe for tourists. Be mindful of the economic difficulties affecting locals and be discreet with valuables.

What is a casa particular and should I stay in one?

Casas particulares are licensed rooms in private Cuban homes — the most authentic and often most comfortable accommodation option, much better value than state hotels and a direct way to support local families.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Havana is unlike any other place on earth — the colours, the music, the people, the heat, the rum. Our casa particular host became a friend and showed us the real city beyond the tourist trail. An unmissable experience.

Carmen W. · March 2024

★★★★☆

Extraordinary city but be realistic about the infrastructure challenges — power cuts, limited wifi, and cash-only everything. Go with an open mind and generous spirit and you'll be rewarded with one of travel's great adventures.

Patrick O. · January 2023

★★★★★

Riding in a 1955 Chevrolet convertible along the Malecón at sunset with salsa music on the radio was a cinematic moment I'll never forget. The food from paladares was genuinely excellent and the mojitos were the real thing.

Isabel S. · February 2024