Cuba in April is a paradise for travelers seeking warm temperatures and sunny skies, making it an ideal time to explore the island's captivating attractions. With deep azure blue skies overhead, April sets the stage for unforgettable beach getaways and exciting sightseeing adventures across Cuba. From the vibrant streets of Old Havana to the lush landscapes of Cienfuegos, April offers a perfect blend of relaxation and exploration. Additionally, April in Cuba is brimming with cultural events and festivities, providing a rich tapestry of experiences for visitors to enjoy. So, if you're planning a trip to Cuba in April, prepare to be dazzled by the beauty and warmth of this enchanting Caribbean destination.
Regarded as the last month in Cuba’s dry season, which began back in November, April offers a wonderful mix of temperatures and overall climate. The long months without any significant rainfall mean temperatures have been able to build to a daily average of 25°C (77°F) by the time April comes around, with peaks in the middle hours of the day hitting 30°C (86°F). However, the hours of darkness still remain relatively cool, meaning you’ll have little difficulty sleeping. Once the sun has set at around 8 pm, temperatures drop to overnight lows of around 19°C (66°F). Stepping from street to sea, you’ll be able to enjoy water temperatures of an incredible, and almost unbelievable, 27°C (81°F), making swimming, snorkelling, and water sports a must while on the island. How much rain can you expect in Cuba in April? Almost none! There are just six days designated as ‘wet days’, and even then the total rainfall for the entire month only ever reaches around 30 mm, which is nowhere near enough to force any alterations in your planned activities. If you decide to stay on the south of the island you’ll miss much of this rain in any case, and wherever you are on the island, the rest of the month you will experience a steady 10 hours of sunshine per day – so don’t forget to pack a good supply of sun screen! Humidity in April is about 76%, which is actually below average for the year in Cuba. What’s more, a gentle north easterly wind (hitting no more than 7 mph on average) comes off the Atlantic Ocean to help keep the beaches and city streets of Cuba cool. *Please note that the team here at Locally Sourced Cuba Tours can do a lot of things, but unfortunately we cannot predict the weather. We can only base our predictions about the weather in Cuba in April, on previous years and averages.
Needless to say, with weather like we’ve described, heading to the island’s beaches is a very popular past time for both tourists and locals, and thanks to some fantastic beaches within close proximity of Havana, it’s very easy to combine some much need R&R time by the ocean with the unmissable sights the Cuban capital has to offer. For example, you could start the day by exploring Havana or one of the nearby fishing villages on foot (Fusterlandia in Jaimanitas on the outskirts of Havana is a particular favourite – and a surreal experience), combining it with a couple of hours on the sands to sunbathe, swim, or even kayak. Then as the day hits its highest temperatures you could head to the air-conditioned delight of one of the capital’s major museums, and keep the cool vibes coming with a mojito – what else! – in a rooftop bar overlooking the city. Alternatively, there’s plenty of shade to be found in the country’s many botanic gardens and walking trails. The National Botanic Gardens in Havana are 600 hectares in size, and include glasshouses and a wonderfully ‘misplaced’ Japanese garden as some of its many attractions. Outside of the capital, the Orchidarium in Soroa is also a sight to behold, boasting hundreds of native and non-native species of orchid bursting with flowers, alongside the Helechos Gardens and Gran Piedra Botanical Garden, which can both be found in Santiago de Cuba in the island’s southeast. For getting out into the open, there’s the farmland and countryside that’s found around Vinales, while the 4500 square kilometre Zapata Peninsula has everything from secluded beaches edged in palms, to mangrove swamp that is the home to the Cuban crocodile and a huge variety of bird species.
April sees a whole range of special events taking place in Cuba. The Huella de Espana Festival has been taking place now for almost three decades, and is a celebration of Spanish dance forms that has a special place in the hearts of many Cubans as a result of the close cultural links between the two countries. It begins with an impressive parade through the UNESCO-enlisted streets of Old Havana, and only ends after some impressive gala performances from regions of Spain as diverse as the Basque Country and the Canary Islands. Should you be unfortunate enough to miss this event, then keep an eye out for news on the International Cuban Dance Festival and City in Movement celebrations that also take place in April. The latter, known locally as El Callejero, sees dance troupes hit the public squares, parks, and even the museums of Old Havana for workshops, exhibitions, and performances of contemporary dance. Less contemporary are the island’s Easter celebrations. Deeply religious, Easter remains a major festival for many Cubans, with many of the main celebrations taking place in April although dates vary from year to year. If you find yourself in the city of Trinidad on Good Friday be sure not to miss the Way of the Cross Procession. Crowds gather in the city’s colonial-era streets to watch the parade make its slow progress towards Plaza Mayor and the Church of the Holy Trinity. If you’re lucky enough to be in Cuba in April and May in an odd numbered year (2021, 2023, etc) then don’t miss the art event of the year in the form of the Havana Biennial. First held in 1986, the event has become the primary contemporary art festival in the Caribbean. While welcoming artists from across the globe, it supports and prioritises those from south and central America, including the other islands of the Caribbean, in what can only be described as an extravaganza for the eyes.
An excellent month to visit this sublime Caribbean destination, Cuba in April promises a blend of fantastic weather, unforgettable things to do, and mesmerising events!
