Cuba has a warm, tropical climate year-round, with average highs ranging from the upper 70s to low 90s°F depending on the season and location. The island sits in the Caribbean Sea where steady trade winds from the northeast keep temperatures more moderate than you might expect for a tropical destination. Two distinct seasons shape the year: a dry season from November through April and a hotter, wetter season from May through October.
Dry Season: November to April
The dry season is Cuba’s most comfortable stretch of weather. In Havana, highs range from 78°F in January to 83°F in April, with nighttime lows dipping into the mid-60s. Rainfall is light, averaging about 1.2 to 1.3 inches per month in Havana, and you can expect only three to four rainy days in a typical month. Skies tend to be clearer, humidity is lower, and the trade winds provide a pleasant breeze that makes the warmth easy to handle.
This is peak tourist season for good reason. The combination of warm days, cool evenings, and minimal rain makes it ideal for beach trips and exploring cities on foot. January and February are the coolest months, and while Cuba almost never gets truly cold, temperatures can occasionally surprise. In February 2026, Cuba recorded its first-ever freeze when a weather station in Perico hit 32°F, breaking the previous national record of 33°F set in 1996. These events are extremely rare, but they show that cold fronts from North America do occasionally push far enough south to affect the island.
Wet Season: May to October
From May onward, temperatures climb and rain picks up significantly. Havana sees highs in the upper 80s to 89°F during July and August, with lows that rarely drop below 75°F at night. Humidity rises noticeably, and the combination of heat and moisture makes afternoons feel hotter than the thermometer suggests.
Rainfall during these months is roughly two to three times what falls in the dry season. Havana averages about 3.8 inches of rain in both June and September, with around 10 rainy days per month at the peak. Most rain falls in heavy afternoon or evening downpours rather than all-day drizzle, so mornings are often sunny and usable even during the wettest months. September and October tend to be the wettest and most humid period overall.
How Weather Varies Across the Island
Cuba stretches roughly 750 miles from end to end, and that distance creates real differences in weather between the western and eastern halves of the island. Santiago de Cuba, on the southeastern coast, runs consistently warmer than Havana, especially in winter. A January day in Santiago averages 84°F compared to Havana’s 78°F. That six-degree gap narrows in summer, when both cities reach the upper 80s.
Rainfall patterns differ even more dramatically. Havana is notably wetter than Santiago de Cuba across nearly every month. In June, Havana averages 3.8 inches of rain over about 10 days, while Santiago gets just 1.3 inches over three days. Even in the dry season, Havana sees roughly double the precipitation of Santiago. The southeastern coast sits in a rain shadow created by the Sierra Maestra mountains, which block much of the moisture carried by prevailing winds. If you want the driest conditions possible, eastern Cuba is your best bet.
Holguín, another major eastern city, falls between the two. It’s warmer than Havana but slightly cooler than Santiago, and it receives moderate rainfall, averaging around 2.5 inches in October compared to Havana’s 3.2 inches.
Trade Winds and Why Cuba Feels Moderate
For a tropical island, Cuba’s temperatures are surprisingly stable. You won’t see the extreme heat spikes common in landlocked tropical areas. The reason is geography: Cuba is surrounded by ocean on all sides, and the prevailing northeast trade winds flow steadily across the island for most of the year, shifting slightly to the southeast in winter. These winds, combined with the warm waters of the Gulf Stream running along Cuba’s northern coast, keep temperatures within a relatively narrow range. Daily swings between highs and lows are typically only 15 to 20 degrees, and seasonal variation is modest compared to continental climates.
Coastal areas benefit the most from sea breezes, which kick in during the afternoon and take the edge off the heat. Inland valleys and cities without good airflow can feel noticeably more oppressive, particularly in July and August.
Hurricane Season
Cuba lies squarely in the Atlantic hurricane belt. The official hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, with the greatest risk concentrated in September and October. Storms can approach from the south, east, or even loop up through the Gulf of Mexico to strike the northern coast.
Not every year brings a direct hit, but the threat shapes travel planning and daily life for half the year. NOAA’s 2025 outlook gave a 60% chance of an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. Even when a hurricane doesn’t make landfall, tropical disturbances during these months contribute to the heavy rainfall and unsettled weather that define the wet season. If you’re planning a trip, the September-October window carries the highest weather risk.
Best Time to Visit
For the most reliable weather, December through March hits the sweet spot: warm days in the high 70s to low 80s, cool evenings, minimal rain, and comfortable humidity. April is still dry but starts warming up. November can be pleasant too, though it overlaps with the tail end of hurricane season.
Visiting during the wet season isn’t a dealbreaker. Rain usually comes in short, intense bursts rather than washing out entire days, and hotel prices drop considerably. Just be prepared for sticky humidity, plan outdoor activities for the morning, and keep an eye on tropical weather forecasts if you’re traveling between August and October.