When to go
If you want to visit cities and to go on excursions in Cuba, the
dry season (late November through mid-April) is a good time to go, while specifically the coolest period (December-February) is preferable.
For a
beach holiday, in the northwest you can prefer the Easter period (late March-April), while in the south-east you can also go in winter.
In winter, sometimes the weather can be cool and cloudy, especially in the western part and on the northern slopes. Because of this, the east is more advisable for a beach holiday, especially the southern coast of the south-east (see Marea del Portillo, Santiago de Cuba, etc). The south-east coast is preferable also in July and August because it's less rainy, yet in this period the heat is intense throughout Cuba, and there's some chance of hurricanes, especially in August.
What to pack
From
November to April, in the north, Havana and inland hills, bring light clothing, but also a sweatshirt or sweater, a jacket and umbrella (or a raincoat). In the south-eastern area (see Santiago de Cuba), bring light clothes, but also a sweatshirt for the evening.
From
May to October, bring lightweight, tropics-friendly clothing, and possibly a light sweatshirt and a light raincoat for thunderstorms.
When going to the reef, you can bring snorkeling equipment, including water shoes or rubber-soled shoes.
Back to the climate of
Cuba