Varadero weather by month

When to go to Varadero

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. September is the wettest month (152 mm, about 23 rainy days) and February the driest (23 mm). The sea is warmest in August at 29.6°C and coolest in February at 25.1°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Juan Gualberto Gomez International Airport (VRA, 24 km from Varadero) takes roughly 10 h - long-haul (7 h+) by UK standards. Time-zone: America/Havana.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in Varadero between 1991 and 2020 reached 36.3°C on 20 April 2020; the coldest fell to 12.3°C on 10 January 1996. In August one day in ten tops 31.6°C and about 78% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 17.7°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was May 2020 with 479 mm, against a May average of 113 mm.

November to February: gentler heat and less rain

This is the more comfortable stretch if strong heat puts you off, although November still has more rain days than the winter months that follow. November offers warm days and a sea averaging 27°C, so the improving weather does not come at the expense of swimming warmth. December and January are cooler, with January daytime temperatures averaging 25°C. That suits travellers who want warmth without the hottest conditions, though evenings call for a light layer if you feel the cold. February is the driest month and a particularly good all-round choice. Its sea temperature is lower than in summer, but still averages 25°C.

March to May: sunshine first, then a wetter turn

March and April offer the clearest balance of warmth, sunshine and limited rain. Both average 8 hours of sunshine, while daytime temperatures rise from 27°C in March to 28°C in April. For travellers planning to spend much of the day outside, these are easier months to choose than the wetter summer period. Keep shade breaks in your plans around midday, even if the heat feels manageable. May marks a noticeable change: the sea warms to 27°C and nights stay warmer, but rain days rise to 14. Choose May if warmer swimming matters more than keeping rain disruption to a minimum, and leave outdoor plans flexible.

June to October: warmer seas, more weather compromises

June to September brings Varadero's strongest heat, with August the hottest month at around 31°C by day. Nights remain warm too, so pack lightweight clothes rather than expecting much evening relief. The sea is warmest in August at 30°C, which suits leisurely swimming but may feel less refreshing after time in the heat. Rain is the main drawback throughout this stretch. July offers slightly more sunshine than June or August, but it is still a wet-weather compromise rather than a dry-season alternative. September has the most rain days, at 23. October cools to 28°C by day, yet still averages 18 rain days, so it is too early to count on the drier winter pattern.