"Janvier est le mois rêvé à La Havane : 26 °C en journée, faible humidité, ciel bleu. Les Habaneros eux-mêmes sortent les manches longues le soir."
Expert on La Havane · 1 contributions
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Africa & Americas Desk — Mowando·Editor
Africa & Americas Desk — Mowando·EditorThe best periods
The best time to visit La Havane is November to April (dry season). The most recommended months are Janvier, Février, Mars, Avril, Mai, Juin, Juillet, Septembre, Octobre, Novembre, Décembre.
Nov, Déc, Jan, Fév, Mar, Avr
Saison sèche — la meilleure période
- ✅Températures idéales (23-28 °C) et hygrométrie supportable, idéales pour arpenter la Vieille Havane à pied
- ✅Ciel dégagé, lumière dorée du soir sur le Malecón, parfaite pour la photographie
- ✅Aucun risque de cyclone, mer calme pour les excursions vers les plages de l'Est
- ❌Foule de croisiéristes débarquant en journée à la Habana Vieja
- ❌Hébergements (casas particulares) à réserver plusieurs mois à l'avance pour décembre-février
- ❌Tarifs aériens et casas plus élevés en haute saison touristique
Mai, Juin, Oct
Inter-saison — calme et orages courts
- ✅Foule en nette diminution, prix des casas particulares accessibles
- ✅Orages tropicaux brefs en fin d'après-midi, suivis de lumières spectaculaires
- ✅Ambiance plus authentique, conversations avec les Habaneros plus faciles
- ❌Chaleur humide forte (30 °C avec 75 % d'humidité), épuisante à midi
- ❌Octobre encore à la lisière de la saison cyclonique — surveiller les alertes
Jui, Aoû, Sep
Été humide et saison cyclonique
- ✅Vacances scolaires cubaines, animation festive dans tous les quartiers
- ✅Carnaval de La Havane en août, défilés de comparsas sur le Paseo del Prado
- ✅Tarifs les plus bas de l'année hors saison cyclonique active
- ❌Risque cyclonique réel de fin août à octobre, vols et trajets perturbés
- ❌Humidité asphyxiante (90 % en août), visites en plein air très éprouvantes
- ❌Précipitations intenses en fin d'après-midi, parfois plusieurs jours d'affilée
Month-by-month climate
Temperatures, rainfall and sunshine in La Havane across the 12 months.
| Jan | Fév | Mar | Avr | Mai | Juin | Jui | Aoû | Sep | Oct | Nov | Déc | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min | 20° | 20° | 21° | 22° | 23° | 24° | 25° | 25° | 25° | 24° | 22° | 20° |
| Max | 27° | 28° | 30° | 31° | 31° | 31° | 33° | 33° | 32° | 30° | 28° | 27° |
| Mer | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pluie | 28mm | 34mm | 25mm | 29mm | 90mm | 146mm | 86mm | 131mm | 130mm | 84mm | 77mm | 44mm |
| Soleil/j | 9.8h | 10.3h | 11h | 12.2h | 12.2h | 11.1h | 12.2h | 11.7h | 10.7h | 10.2h | 9.7h | 9.4h |
Tourist crowds
Monthly attendance levels (0 = empty, 100 = saturated).
Jan
90
Fév
92
Mar
88
Avr
80
Mai
60
Jui
55
Jui
65
Aoû
70
Sep
45
Oct
55
Nov
75
Déc
88
Average flight prices
Average round-trip Paris → La Havane by month.
Jan
$842
Fév
$864
Mar
$886
Avr
$810
Mai
$734
Jui
$778
Jui
$918
Aoû
$950
Sep
$756
Oct
$734
Nov
$778
Déc
$886
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Havana?+
Three days minimum to enjoy the city without rushing: one full day for Habana Vieja (the five squares, the Cathedral, La Bodeguita del Medio, El Floridita), one day for Vedado and Centro Habana (Malecón, Hotel Nacional, Plaza de la Revolución, Colón cemetery), one day for activities (salsa class, Fábrica de Arte Cubano, a ride in a classic American car). With four or five days, add a side trip to the Playas del Este (30 minutes away) or a return excursion to Viñales.
What currency should you use in Havana?+
Cuba unified its currency in 2021 around the __Cuban peso (CUP)__ after scrapping the CUC. Tourists now use CUP for most purchases, but some hotels, state-run shops (MLC) and big chains require payment in USD, EUR or via a special MLC card. Bring euros in cash (better than dollars due to the 10% US tax), exchange only at official CADECA counters. European bank cards work in some ATMs (cards issued by US banks are refused). Bring plenty of cash: Cuba remains largely a cash-based economy.
Where to stay in Havana: hotel or casa particular?+
The __casa particular__ is the quintessential Cuban experience: a room in a private home, a generous home-cooked breakfast, conversations with your hosts, an authentic atmosphere. Expect €25-40 a night for a double room in Habana Vieja or Vedado. State-run hotels (Inglaterra, Nacional, Saratoga) offer more comfort but cost €120-300 a night with sometimes patchy service due to shortages. Vedado and Habana Vieja are the two best neighbourhoods, walkable and well-placed for nightlife.
Does the internet work in Havana?+
Yes, but it is complicated and slow. The state company __ETECSA__ sells prepaid cards (€1 for 1 hour) usable in public Wi-Fi zones (parks, main squares) or via equipped hotels. A growing number of casas particulares now offer in-room Wi-Fi via a Nauta Hogar subscription. Buy a Cuba eSIM before departure or pick up a Cubacel SIM at the airport for mobile data. Accept that everything will be slower than in Europe — it's part of the journey.
Is it safe to walk in Havana at night?+
Yes, Havana is one of the safest Latin American capitals in terms of violent crime. The main risks are petty theft in Habana Vieja by day and tourist scams (fake guides, fake cigars, dodgy taxis). At night, the well-lit streets of Old Havana, Vedado and the Malecón are busy and safe. Avoid the deserted alleyways of Centro Habana after midnight. Street hassle from jineteros exists but is purely verbal — a smile and a firm 'no, gracias' usually settle it.
Our verdict
Havana is a world city frozen in an era that no longer exists anywhere else — and that is exactly why you go. Old Havana ranks among the finest colonial urban ensembles in Latin America, the Malecón is a permanent social theatre and music is a constant companion. Accept the shortages, the slowness, the power cuts: they are part of the Cuban experience. Stay in a casa particular, take a salsa lesson, walk the Malecón at sunset, dine on a mojito and ropa vieja in a Vedado paladar. Three nights minimum, four is better — Havana reveals itself slowly and dislikes being rushed.
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