Cuba in May presents travelers with a wonderful opportunity to experience the island's beauty and charm without the crowds of peak season. Despite being outside the designated dry season, May in Cuba boasts clear skies, abundant sunshine, and average temperatures in the high twenties (eighties Fahrenheit), creating perfect conditions for outdoor exploration and beach relaxation. Additionally, the off-peak status of May means that savvy travelers can take advantage of impressive hotel deals and discounts, making it an ideal time to visit Cuba on a budget. Whether you're exploring Havana's historic landmarks, diving into the crystal-clear waters of Varadero, or immersing yourself in the vibrant culture of Trinidad, Cuba in May offers a delightful escape filled with warmth, adventure, and savings.
Don’t let it worry you that May falls outside of Cuba’s designated dry season. Cuba in May is still typified by clear skies, strong sun, and average temperatures in the high twenties (eighties Fahrenheit), while the month’s presence outside of peak season means there are also some impressive hotel deals to be had. Daily temperatures average out at 26°C (79°F), with highs that can reach 31°C (88°F) in the middle hours of the day, making it a great excuse for relaxing in the shade of a beach or café umbrella. Overnight, and in the early mornings, temperatures drop down to around 20°C (70°F), making them the best time to be at your most active. In addition, there’s a gentle breeze that rolls in from the Atlantic, which helps to keep things cool, particularly on cities on the north coast including the capital, Havana. If temperatures on land do end up getting to much for you, there’s always the option of heading into the water, weather a swimming pool or the seas around the island. Sea temperatures average 28°C (82°F) in May, meaning there’s really no excuse for not stepping out into the waves for a swim, snorkel or to try out one of the many water sports on offer on the beaches around Havana and beyond. When it comes to rainfall, there are an average of eight days that see rain, although totals for the month still don’t top 70 mm. If you’re dead set on fine weather, head south. This region of the island is the driest, with most rain coming from the north and burning out long before it reaches destinations such as Santiago de Cuba. Humidity levels are also lower than they are for most other months of the year, at 77%. Anyone visiting Cuba in May can expect an impressive nine hours of sunshine on rain-free days, with 13 or 14 hours between dawn and dusk. *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 May, on previous years and averages.
Cuba in May is still a fantastic month to enjoy the beach life the Caribbean is renowned for. There are so many beaches to choose from its literally impossible to name them all. For a blend of stunning landscapes, wonderful under sea life, and revolutionary fervour, head to Playa Giron in the Bay of Pigs. As well as fine sands and bowing palms, here you’ll also find a small museum dedicated to the battle against the US-funded counter invasion that took place on the beach here in April 1961 in an attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro’s regime. The Varadero Peninsula, meanwhile, is consistently rated very highly by families. Stretching out from Cuba’s northern coast within easy reach of Havana, the thin pencil of land boasts 20 km of beaches and a huge number of resorts and restaurants to choose between. For younger children there’s a dolphinarium, while there are also plenty of water sports on offer on the peninsula, from kayaking to paragliding. Another fantastic option for those with children in tow (or indeed just those with a sweet tooth) is Havana’s Museo Del Chocolate, or Chocolate Museum. Actually more of a chocolate-themed café than a museum as such, there’s plenty of options when it comes to the sweet stuff, and a popular churros stall nearby too. If you’re feeling the heat, you might instead want to head for one of Cuba’s retro ice cream parlours. You’ll find them right across the island, although one of the most popular – to the extent they can run out of flavours by the afternoon – is Parque Coppelia on Avenida 23, a short walk from Havana’s Malecon seafront promenade.
Not surprisingly given the country’s past sixty years as a communist state, Cuba puts great efforts into celebrating Workers Day on May 1 of each year. A community of pretty much any size is sure to have some sort of celebration planned, with larger towns and cities hosting parades that begin at sunrise and come to an end in the squares called Plaza de la Revolucion which every town boasts. There are also performances and cultural events, as well as speeches from political leaders, and whatever your personal politics its definitely worth considering joining the crowds to experience Cuba in party mode. Also at the beginning of May you’ll find the Romerias de Mayo taking place over a week in Holguin in Cuba’s east. Although it has a religious slant as a pilgrimage to the summit of the hill on the outskirts to Holguin, the event is largely frequented by artists and performers looking to celebrate Cuba’s rich cultural heritage. The pilgrimage itself dates from at least 1790. Only dating back to the early 1980s, and starting in April but stretching on into May on odd numbered years (the next being 2021), is the Havana Biennial. This not to be missed festival of contemporary art is now preparing for its fourteenth edition, which will welcome artists from more than 40 different countries. Primarily taking place in the capital, where 30 venues and a 3 km stretch of La Linea are handed over to the art spectacular, the Biennial has also in recent years expanded to incorporate other towns and cities across the island, so even if you’re not in Havana you have a chance of catching some of the action.
Cuba in May offers two major advantages over other months: great temperatures and reasonably-priced accommodation. Be sure to take advantage of all Cuba has to offer by visiting in May!
