When to Go
Best Time to Visit
Now in Havana—:—Sunrise—:—Sunset—:—
November–April. Dry season with sunny days and warm nights. Skip hurricane season (August–October) and the sweaty summer humidity.
Warmest in Havana: Jul (33°C / 91°F) · Coolest: Jan (27°C / 81°F) · Wettest: Jun (~22 rain days)
Daily highs / lows in °C · bars show rain days per month · ERA5 climate normals (2020–2024)
Daily Spend in USD
Budget
Budget
$60/day
Mid-range
$130/day
Luxury
$350/day
- Budget $60/day ≈ €52 · £45 · ₹5,700 · A$86 · C$85
- Mid-range $130/day ≈ €115 · £97 · ₹12,500 · A$185 · C$185
- Luxury $350/day ≈ €305 · £260 · ₹33,500 · A$505 · C$495
Converted at ECB reference rates, refreshed daily.
Casa particulares (family homestays) $30–60/night; upscale colonial hotels top $250. Bring USD or Euros — cards rarely work.
With Kids
Family Travel
A classic-car tour of the Malecón, an aquarium in the eastern suburbs, and cannon-firing ceremony at El Morro fort at 9 p.m. nightly.
Together
Couples Travel
Rooftop dinner in Old Havana, a Malecón sunset walk with a mojito in hand, live jazz at La Zorra y El Cuervo.
On Your Own
Solo Travel
Havana rewards solo travelers who wander — every doorway spills music. Language: Spanish is essential; English is scarce.
Food
What to Eat
- Ropa vieja. Cuba’s national dish — shredded beef stewed with peppers, tomatoes, and cumin.
- Moros y cristianos. Black beans cooked with rice — the ubiquitous side.
- Lechón asado. Whole-roasted marinated pork — celebration food, often at paladares (private restaurants).
- Tostones. Fried green plantain — the Cuban chip.
- Ropa vieja. The national dish — shredded beef in a rich tomato-pepper stew, served with rice and black beans.
Transportation
Getting Around
Coco taxis (yellow eggs) and classic-car taxis for tourists; local buses are packed and confusing; walk Old Havana.
Bring cash — Cuban card networks rarely accept US or EU cards. ATMs work erratically. Booking taxis via your casa host is safest.
Where to Base Yourself
Neighborhoods
- Habana Vieja (Old Havana). The UNESCO-listed colonial core — plazas, colonnades, live salsa, restored casas.
- Centro Habana. A crumbling, lived-in barrio between the Old Town and Vedado — real Havana at street level.
- Vedado. Mid-century Havana — the Malecón waterfront, hotel Nacional, ice-cream at Coppelia.
- Miramar. Leafy embassy district west of the harbor — quieter, upscale paladares, good sunset drives.
Get Your Bearings
Havana Map & Walking Distances
City centerNeighborhoodsClick the map to enable scroll zoom
- Habana Vieja (Old Havana)neighborhood2.9 km from center
- Centro Habananeighborhood2.4 km from center
- Vedadoneighborhood3.3 km from center
- Miramarneighborhood5.2 km from center
What to Know
Safety
Very safe by Latin American standards — violent crime is rare. Petty scams (fake cigar sellers, taxi overcharges) are the main risk. Solo women reportedly safe day and night in tourist districts.