When is the best time to visit the most popular destinations in Cuba?
The traditional high season in Cuba has always been winter, December to February, when days are cool and clear, rather like southern Florida. But sun-lovers should consider November and the period from March to May, when it is warm enough for swimming. If you’re traveling to Cuba any time between June and October, be warned: The summer heat is oppressive and hurricanes can hit.
If I am visiting Cuba for the first time, what destinations should I visit and why?
“My holy trinity is Havana, Trinidad, and Viñales,” Considine says. Havana is a must-see for its vibrant energy, beautiful harbor, Spanish colonial city center, and Art Deco relics. Trinidad is a perfectly-preserved colonial town at the foot of the rugged Escambray Mountains where, Considine says, “farmers live very simply, raising livestock, and cooking with carbon—a way of life that may be gone in five years.” It is also by the south coast, which has diving spots worth checking out.
Meanwhile, Viñales is a nature trip. This small town is surrounded by spectacular rounded limestone formations known as mogotes in the heart of Cuba’s verdant tobacco country. “You can do anything there: horse-riding, e-biking, yoga, hiking, and climbing,” Considine says. It’s located only a two-hour drive from the capital’s airport; US travelers can rent a car with dollars, but in practice I suggest booking a transfer to Viñales—and a place to overnight, if you’d like—through a travel specialist for a smooth trip.
What else should Americans know before visiting Cuba?
Note that US credit and debit cards are still not valid in Cuba. Bring cash—and more than you think you will need, so you don’t run out. These days, US dollars are accepted in most places in Cuba.
Otherwise, be ready to experience an island with a story to tell. “There has never been a better time to go to Cuba than right now,” Considine says. New laws passed in 2021 permit Cuban entrepreneurs to directly import foreign goods from Italian pasta to French soap, Chilean wine to Mexican designer furniture, which has transformed the country. Grocery stores have opened in peoples’ garages, do-it-yourself restaurants offer fine cuisine, and many small family-run casas and Airbnbs have expanded into boutique hotels, some of which are quite sumptuous. Yes, there are shortages and outages that sometimes interrupt the flow of things, but there are opportunities to meet Cubans and learn about their lives. Despite social and political challenges, all over the island, people are warm, open, and, often, eager to chat.
