Cuba in September continues to bask in the warmth of summer, offering visitors an escape from the changing seasons elsewhere in the world. With the climate remaining staunchly hot and sunny, it's hard to believe that leaves are starting to fall from trees elsewhere. If you're considering a trip to Cuba in September, rest assured that we have all the information you need to plan your perfect getaway. From detailing the month's average weather conditions to describing the top things to do on the island during September, we've got you covered. Additionally, we highlight the events taking place across Cuba in September that you won't want to miss, from colorful festivals to cultural celebrations. So pack your bags and prepare for an unforgettable adventure in Cuba in September!
Let’s start with the all-important temperatures you can expect in Cuba in September. For anyone already feeling the chill back home, you’ll be happy to hear that the average daily temperature across Cuba in September remains 27°C (81°F). You’ll want to find some shade or head into the water around midday, when temperatures can peak at 31°C (88°F), while you’ll find the evenings incredibly pleasant. Once the bright Caribbean sun has set, around 8 pm, the temperature falls back to 22°C (72°F) over night, making it a great time to be out and about enjoy all Cuba’s streets have to offer. The seas around the island remain calm and very swimmable right through September, and also benefit from temperatures of 30°C (86°F), meaning this is a month that is perfect for getting away from the humidity level of 85% and trying all manner of water sports. Sitting within the designated rainy season, you should expect some cloudy and wet days in Cuba in September, although the amounts of rainfall you’ll experience are nowhere near the definition of ‘rainy season’ for most people. Over the entire month Cuba receives just 70 mm of rain on average, falling over approximately half of the month. Despite this, Cuba still manages to clock up nine hours of sunshine per day. With weather like this you might be asking yourself why Cuba isn’t more popular in September, when many tourist-orientated industries are instead offering discounts. The answer lies in the fact that September sees Cuba run the risk of a hurricane making landfall on the island. You need to be aware that this is a possibility, and you should take out the necessary travel insurance, however it should be noted that there are many years when its possible to visit Cuba in September without experiencing anything more than a light breeze, which is great news! *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 September, on previous years and averages.
However many times you’ve visited Cuba in the past, you’ll probably want to spend some time exploring its extraordinarily long list of cultural and historical attractions, whether in Havana or elsewhere. While the city streets can certainly get steamy at times, don’t let that put you off, because there are plenty of shaded central squares from which to watch the world go by. What’s more, many of the most important buildings to visitors were designed with the climate in mind. You could easily spend a day in the cool gallery spaces of Havana’s Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. Spanning two buildings, its collection of fine arts – painting and sculpture – begins in colonial times and also takes in the propaganda artistry that was such an important part of the communist revolution led by Fidel Castro. Other places to keep out of the heat of the midday sun are Cuba’s plethora of historic and beautifully-decorated churches. If you make it as far as lush Baracoa, one of the first European settlements on the island due to its location on the far eastern end of Cuba, be sure not to miss the fortress-like Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, which houses a crucifix said to date back to the time of Christopher Columbus. Back in the capital, Havana cathedral is a stunning edifice, while the Iglesia de San Francisco de Paula has a beautiful dome, and is now used as a concert venue after being abandoned and empty for decades. But many people come to Cuba in September for the chance to hit the beach. The chain of small islands known as cayos that run for much of Cuba’s northern coast offer unique beach stays. Each different from one another – some secluded and tranquil, others livelier – what unites Cayo Largo, Sabinal, Santa Maria and Guillermo (among many others) are simply unmatchable beaches and the sense you’ve really escaped to paradise on earth. If you find yourself in the south of Cuba instead, be sure to dedicate at least a day to Playa Ancon, an arch of golden sand that forms the largest and longest beach in the area. Close to the colonial splendour of Trinidad, vegetation creeps right down to the edge of the sands, while just offshore there are some stunning reefs easily accessible to snorkelers.
Cubans are sports mad, and one of the sports they are fanatical about is baseball – despite all the political tensions between Cuba and the USA over the past six decades. There are now some major Cuban names playing in America, while their homeland hosts the Que Siempre Brille el Sol baseball tournament. Whether you attend a baseball game between local teams or one specially invited from the US, it’s a great way of seeing Cubans at their most boisterous and fun loving. Stadiums are generally full to capacity, so if you don’t manage to get a ticket, redirect to the nearest bar, which is sure to be showing the game on television. The end of September, September 28 to be exact, is the annual commemoration of the foundation of the country’s CDRs, or Comite de la Defensa de la Revolution. Every Cuban citizen becomes a member of their local CDR automatically, and these community-based groups are a way of detailing the latest policies of the government while also deterring crime and anti-social behaviour. Though they sound rather serious by nature, the September 28 celebrations are typified by small street parties offering up food and games for local children.
There are plenty of reasons to consider visiting Cuba in September, when you can combine visits to its museums with time on the beach, and attend special events that demonstrate the very special culture the island has to offer.
