Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Moving to the tropics is a dream for many, but Cuba’s climate is not just about postcards and beaches lined with coconut trees. Humid heat, rainy season, hurricanes, mosquitoes, fragile infrastructure: for an expatriate, truly understanding the climatic environment is essential to staying healthy, safe… and fully enjoying daily life.
This article is a practical guide for adapting to Cuba’s climate, based on climatic and health data, so you can learn to live with it rather than just endure it.
Understanding Cuba’s climate to adapt better
Cuba’s climate is tropical, hot and humid year-round. The island, the largest in the Caribbean, stretches over 1,200 km from east to west, but the climate remains relatively uniform, with important regional nuances to know when choosing where to live.
Two main seasons, but strong nuances
There are two main seasons, simple to remember but very different to experience day-to-day.
The first, known as the dry season, corresponds to what Cubans call “winter“. It generally runs from late November to mid-April. Temperatures remain pleasant, the air is a bit less saturated with humidity, it rains little, especially between December and February, the ideal time for urban activities and excursions. In Havana, daytime temperatures hover around 26°C; in the south of the island, they climb closer to 28°C.
This is the average humidity level, often exceeded, during the rainy season that an expatriate must get used to.
To get a simple overview of the basic conditions, it can be summarized as follows:
| Characteristic | Dry Season (approx. Nov.–Apr.) | Rainy Season (approx. May–Oct.) |
|---|---|---|
| Average temperature | 21–27°C depending on region | 25–30°C depending on region |
| Typical weather | Moderate heat, often clear skies | Muggy heat, frequent showers and thunderstorms |
| Rainy days / month | 4 to 7 days > 1 mm | 13 to 15 days > 1 mm |
| Average relative humidity | ~79–81% (somewhat more bearable) | ~81–95% (often stifling) |
| Ideal activities | Sightseeing, city life, hiking | Beach, diving, indoor life with A/C |
Microclimates: cooler north, sheltered south, warmer east
Despite a certain homogeneity, some regional differences matter a lot for a resident.
The northwest, home to Havana and Varadero, is more exposed to “cold fronts” coming down from the United States between December and March. These intrusions of continental air can temporarily drop nighttime temperatures to around 10°C, or even lower during significant episodes. It’s far from a European winter, but if you go out in a t-shirt in the evening, you’ll feel it.
The southeast, around Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo, benefits from a warmer winter microclimate, especially on the southern coast, often sheltered from northern winds by the highlands. Winters are milder and more stable here, making it a favored area for a very “permanent summer” lifestyle.
In eastern Cuba, the Sierra Maestra illustrates marked climatic variations. Altitude lowers temperatures by 5 to 10°C on the peaks. The northern slopes receive heavy rainfall, while the southern slopes, facing Guantánamo, are much drier, sometimes with less than 700 mm of annual precipitation.
For an expatriate hesitating between different regions, checking the combination of “temperature + rainfall + exposure to wind” is a useful reflex. For example, living in Santiago de Cuba does not feel the same climate-wise as living in Havana, even if the average numbers remain close.
Humid heat daily: a key factor not to underestimate
Raw climate data can create the illusion of reasonable heat, with highs around 30°C. But the enemy lies elsewhere: humidity.
Relative humidity often oscillates around 80% and can climb above 90% at dawn. At these levels, sweat evaporates poorly, the body struggles to cool down, and the perceived temperature (humidex or “real feel”) can be much higher than the reading. The most ordinary workday quickly turns into a physical challenge for those not accustomed to it.
For a newly arrived expatriate, this implies a period of real acclimatization: it usually takes several weeks for the body to get used to this heat + humidity cocktail. During this phase, headaches, fatigue spells, and slight dizziness are common if you don’t drink enough, insist on physical activity during the hottest hours, or underestimate the sun’s strength.
Living with the heat: daily organization and simple actions
In a climate like Cuba’s, adapting means learning to organize your days around the most bearable hours and developing a “tropical” lifestyle.
Adjust your schedule rather than fight the climate
The fundamental principle: don’t try to live “like in Europe in summer” all year round. At these latitudes, the 10 a.m.–4 p.m. timeframe is the most dangerous for sunburn and dehydration, with a peak in solar intensity around noon–2 p.m.
Cubans have integrated this for a long time, and it’s no coincidence that the siesta remains a common practice. For an expatriate, adopting a rhythm where physical tasks, long walks or bike rides, or sports activities are done mainly early in the morning or late afternoon is not a luxury: it’s a health measure.
Structuring your workday accordingly – intellectual work or telework during the hot hours, shopping and errands as soon as stores open or in the evening – helps cope with the heat much better.
Dressing for humid heat: fabrics, cuts, styles
The best air conditioning is often what you wear on your skin. In a hot, humid climate, the golden rule is simple: light, breathable clothing, preferably made of natural fibers.
For better comfort during hot periods, choose clothes made of cotton or linen. These natural fabrics allow for good air circulation, effectively absorb sweat, and avoid the unpleasant feeling of suffocation that some synthetic fabrics can give. Also prefer loose cuts, fluid fabrics, and slightly long sleeves, which protect from the sun while promoting air circulation, rather than tight-fitting clothes like tank tops.
Light colors – whites, beiges, pastels – reflect solar radiation better than dark clothing. Yet, on the streets, you’ll see many Cubans in very colorful, sometimes dark or even flashy outfits. As an expatriate, nothing stops you from adopting a vibrant style, but for highly exposed days, choosing light-colored clothing makes a real difference in how hot you feel.
For your feet, the uneven, cobblestone or broken sidewalks of many Cuban cities argue for comfortable closed shoes or sturdy sandals with good support. Walking in flip-flops in an old colonial town with broken sidewalks can quickly lead to a sprain. On the other hand, for home or the beach, light sandals are perfectly suitable.
Sun protection: consider the sun a permanent risk
In the tropics, the sun is not a detail: it’s a serious health risk factor. The atmosphere filters UV rays less, and sunburns can appear within minutes on unaccustomed skin.
For effective sun protection, the basic gear includes a wide-brimmed hat or cap, sunglasses with real UV protection (not just tinted lenses), and a high SPF sunscreen reapplied regularly. On the beach, the combination of a parasol, a light covering garment, and sunscreen is much more effective than quickly applied sunscreen alone.
For those spending a lot of time outdoors, adopting light long-sleeved clothing helps limit both sunburn and mosquito bites, while remaining bearable heat-wise if the fabric is breathable.
Continuous hydration: a vital discipline
With temperatures often exceeding 28–30°C and high humidity, an adult can lose water very quickly. Experts recommend at least 3 liters of fluids per day under these conditions, some of it in the morning before starting activities.
The classic mistake of newcomers is to drink only when thirst strikes. But thirst is already a delayed signal. In practice, it’s better to drink small amounts frequently throughout the day: plain or filtered water, lightly lemoned water, room-temperature herbal teas, possibly unsweetened fermented drinks like kombucha if you can find them.
Highly sugary sodas, industrial juices, and strong alcohols do not allow for proper hydration and can even worsen dehydration. For example, a mojito, while pleasant, does not replace a bottle of water.
In a climate where the risk of digestive issues is real, using filtered or bottled water even for brushing your teeth is a prudent reflex. Several portable water-filtering systems (like LifeStraw or Grayl) allow you to purify water and reduce dependence on plastic bottles, which are often hard to find in quantity or regularly.
Recognizing signs of heatstroke and reacting quickly
In the Cuban heat, heatstroke is not an abstraction. Headaches, dizziness, nausea, unusual weakness, hot and dry skin, confusion: these are warning signs that require immediately stopping the activity, getting to a cool place, hydrating, and wetting the body with a towel or a lukewarm shower.
For mild symptoms, rest in a cool place, hydration, and gradual cooling are usually sufficient. However, if the condition doesn’t improve quickly, if the person is disoriented, vomits repeatedly, or loses consciousness, seek medical help without delay. Extreme heat combined with humidity is a potential emergency.
Humidity, housing, and health: taming saturated air
Living in such a humid climate isn’t just about managing sweat. Humidity directly influences the state of your housing, indoor comfort, and even respiratory health.
Understanding what 80% humidity does to a house
A relative humidity regularly flirting with 80% and more means the air constantly carries a significant amount of water. In homes, this translates to easy condensation on cold surfaces, a tendency for mold in poorly ventilated corners, accelerated aging of materials, especially if they aren’t designed for a tropical environment.
Swelling wood, sticking doors, paint that flakes or gets covered in fungus, laundry that smells musty even after washing, electronic devices suffering: all these situations are common. Books yellow and warp, papers degrade, batteries and certain plastics deteriorate faster.
Health-wise, excess humidity promotes the proliferation of dust mites and mold spores, which worsen allergies and respiratory problems in sensitive individuals.
Optimizing your housing: ventilation, air conditioning, dehumidification
For an expatriate, housing choice is crucial. Casas particulares and recent apartments aimed at foreigners are often equipped with air conditioning in the bedrooms, sometimes even the living room. This is an asset, both for comfort and to limit mold development, provided it’s used intelligently.
Air conditioning cools and partially dehumidifies the air, but it doesn’t compensate for a poorly ventilated home or one with water leaks. When searching, prioritize well-ventilated rooms with windows allowing cross-breezes, and avoid buildings showing significant signs of moisture (dark stains, persistent musty odors, blistering paint).
During very humid periods, some expatriates choose to add a small electric dehumidifier in the most sensitive rooms (bedroom, closet, storage area). This type of appliance is particularly useful in better insulated and sealed homes (which is increasingly common in modern buildings), where air remains confined.
To improve indoor air quality and combat humidity, prioritize natural ventilation by opening windows during cool hours (early morning or late evening), promoting air circulation between rooms, and ensuring ventilation grilles aren’t obstructed. Conversely, avoid activities that quickly saturate the air with humidity, like boiling large amounts of water without a hood, taking long hot showers, or drying laundry in a small enclosed space.
Managing personal belongings in an aggressive environment
Books, important papers, musical instruments, leather garments, photo or computer equipment do not like humid tropics.
For essential documents (contracts, certificates, backup passport, etc.), storing them in sealed pouches or waterproof boxes limits damage. For valuable items sensitive to humidity (cameras, lenses, musical instruments), storage in cases designed for the tropics, with desiccant packets, helps stave off inevitable aging.
Wardrobes benefit from being “breathable”: it’s better to avoid cramming in many unworn clothes. In very humid climates, items left for a long time in a closed closet often end up stained with mold or whitish spots. Using breathable bags for the most delicate textiles, airing out closets regularly, and favoring fabrics suited to this climate become habits to adopt.
Rainy season and hurricanes: safety and organization
The rainy season, from May to October, doesn’t mean constant rain, but it largely coincides with the hurricane season, officially from June to November, peaking between August and October. For an expatriate, being comfortable with these weather realities is essential.
Tropical rains: intense, brief, but to be taken seriously
During the wet season, most days start with sun or variable skies. Showers often arrive in the late afternoon or evening, in the form of violent thunderstorms. In a few minutes, the equivalent of several days of temperate rain can fall, causing runoff, deep puddles, even localized flooding, especially in neighborhoods with aging infrastructure.
For daily life, this means always having protection on hand: a light raincoat or compact umbrella in your bag, shoes that don’t mind water, and possibly a waterproof bag or sleeve for your laptop.
Avoid walking or driving through flooded streets. Underwater, holes, obstacles, and fallen cables are invisible. In a car, a water depth of 20–30 cm can be enough to immobilize a non-adapted vehicle.
Hurricanes: a well-managed risk, but one to integrate into your life
Cuba’s geographical position, between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic, places the island on the potential path of many tropical systems. On average, about one hurricane per year affects the country, and some, like Flora, Georges, Gustav, Ike, Sandy, or Irma, have left lasting marks.
The good news for an expatriate: Cuba has a very elaborate civil defense system, considered an international reference. Meteorological authorities constantly monitor cyclones, disseminate information widely, and Civil Defense applies a multi-step protocol: information 72 hours before potential impact, alert 48 hours before, then alarm phase during the event, and finally recovery phase.
Evacuations are organized locally, with particular attention to vulnerable people. Hotels and many casas particulares have their own plans for cyclones, with reinforced spaces and basic supplies.
For the expatriate, adapting to the climate also means integrating this culture of managed risk:
To prepare for a cyclone, it is crucial to follow weather bulletins from local authorities and specialized centers. You must know the emergency plan for your neighborhood and your home, especially the location of the nearest shelter and Civil Defense instructions. Prepare an emergency kit containing water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlight, radio, batteries, external chargers, and waterproof copies of important documents. Finally, secure your home by bringing in objects that could fly away, clearing gutters, and checking door and window closures.
During a hurricane’s passage, it’s crucial to stay sheltered, away from windows, and not give in to the temptation to “see outside.” Waves, wind-borne debris, and falling trees are the main causes of accidents. After the storm, caution is still needed: downed power lines, weakened structures, potentially polluted stagnant water.
Hurricanes also have delayed consequences: prolonged power, water, phone, and even transport outages. Living in Cuba means accepting that, some months, these disruptions are part of daily life. A certain flexibility in professional and personal plans is therefore essential.
Health and climate: mosquitoes, diseases, and the healthcare system
Tropical climate and water abundance also mean a significant presence of mosquitoes, and thus vector-borne diseases. Cuba has a long history with dengue, first detected in the 1940s, with several major epidemics since. Other climate-sensitive diseases, like certain hepatitis, acute respiratory infections, or diarrheal diseases, are closely monitored by the authorities.
Mosquitoes and dengue: limiting risk daily
Dengue is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which favors stagnant water near dwellings. In some cities, especially where water supply is irregular and requires storage in tanks, fighting breeding sites is a constant battle.
For an expatriate, prevention involves a combination of personal actions and participation in collective efforts:
To limit bite risks in tropical areas, several measures are essential. Use a repellent suitable for tropical environments, especially early in the day and late afternoon, periods of intense activity for certain species. Wear covering clothing (light long sleeves, loose pants) when possible. Eliminate breeding sites by emptying or covering any water container around the home. Install screens on windows or beds if the home is open. Finally, cooperate with health authorities by accepting fumigation and control campaigns they organize.
Tourist facilities and many establishments catering to foreigners apply reinforced mosquito management measures (fumigation, maintenance, breeding site monitoring). Nevertheless, for a long-term resident, vigilance must be daily, including in more modest neighborhoods.
Other health effects of the climate: from colds to intestinal infections
The air warming observed in Cuba over recent decades – on the order of a few tenths of a degree for the average, but more for minimum temperatures – is accompanied by an evolution of certain health risks. Milder and sometimes wetter winters change the peak periods of some diseases (like certain viral hepatitis), while sudden temperature contrasts linked to cold fronts, combined with wind, favor acute respiratory infections, especially in vulnerable people.
For expatriates, illness doesn’t only come from excessive heat. Temperature variations, even moderate ones, and alternating exposure between very cold air-conditioned spaces and humid outdoor heat fatigue the body. Thermal shock, like leaving an air-conditioned place to face 32°C heat with 85% humidity, can, when repeated, favor the onset of colds and irritations.
Water quality and food hygiene largely determine the risk of diarrheal diseases. Tap water, even chlorinated, is not considered potable for a visitor or new arrival. Aging distribution systems, contamination risks, and differences in bacterial flora explain why many travelers and recent residents suffer at least once from digestive troubles.
Drinking bottled or filtered water, avoiding ice of uncertain origin, favoring fruits you can peel yourself, well-cooked foods, and establishments with high turnover significantly reduces the risk of traveler’s diarrhea.
Healthcare system and insurance: considering climate in your coverage
Cuba has a universal healthcare system for its citizens, but foreigners do not benefit from free care. Expatriates must therefore have valid medical insurance, covering hospitalizations, emergencies, and ideally, medical evacuation to another country if necessary.
In a climate exposed to hurricanes, epidemics (dengue), and infrastructure disruptions, it is crucial to verify that your health contract covers tropical diseases, care related to extreme weather events, and provides for medical transfer to a better-equipped facility.
Clinics reserved for foreigners exist in major cities and tourist areas, but many medications or equipment can be temporarily out of stock. Bringing a personal supply of chronic treatments, a well-equipped first-aid kit, and keeping important prescriptions and medical documents on you is a simple strategy to limit bad surprises.
Preparing for a changing climate
Like many Caribbean islands, Cuba is already feeling the effects of climate change: air warming, changes in rainfall patterns, sea-level rise, possible intensification of certain hurricane seasons.
Data shows a rise in average temperature of several tenths of a degree since the mid-20th century, and an even more marked increase in minimum temperatures. Dry and wet seasons tend to start later, weather extremes – droughts, intense rains, dangerous events – are more frequent.
Climate change directly affects the lives of residents and expatriates. Warmer nights limit recovery without air conditioning. Repeated droughts complicate water access in some neighborhoods, increasing dependence on water truck deliveries or storage tanks, which can become mosquito breeding grounds if poorly managed. Finally, sea-level rise weakens coastal areas, exposing them more to flooding from storm surge.
Cuban authorities have engaged in long-term adaptation plans, reinforcing coastal protections, restoring mangroves to buffer waves, and improving health and prevention systems. For the expatriate, this translates to a simple reality: the climate of your host country is dynamic and changing. Heatwaves, intense drought episodes, or powerful cyclones could be more frequent in the coming decades.
Adapting, therefore, isn’t just conditioning yourself to the current heat, but integrating into your life choices – housing, neighborhood, type of professional activity, potential real estate investment – this trend of increasing climatic risk.
Integrating by respecting the climate… and Cubans
Beyond strictly meteorological and health aspects, adapting to the local climate is also absorbing the ways of the inhabitants, who have lived with these realities forever.
Cubans have developed a culture of climatic resourcefulness: knowing when to stay in the shade, how to organize a day around the heat, how to enjoy the evening breeze on the malecón or in a courtyard. They know the right actions in case of a hurricane, the neighborhood spots most exposed to flooding, the habits to adopt to keep mosquitoes at bay.
As an expatriate, to adapt to the climate and social context, it’s essential to observe, ask, and listen to local practical knowledge. This constitutes a veritable ‘climate survival manual’. Adapt your attire and attitude to situations: wear more covered clothing in places of worship, opt for a somewhat more formal style in certain air-conditioned restaurants or theaters, and choose casual yet appropriate attire in daily life. This allows you to blend into the landscape better while staying comfortable.
Finally, a tropical climate often imposes a different rhythm, less hurried, more flexible. Accepting that some days will be disrupted by a torrential downpour or a weather-related power outage, that some services run slower during a storm, is part of the learning. This mental flexibility, combined with good material preparation, turns what could be a stress factor into a natural component of daily life.
In conclusion: make the climate an ally, not an enemy
Expatriating to Cuba means accepting to enter a close relationship with a climate that is both generous and demanding. Generous with its mild winter temperatures, its always swimmable sea, abundant light, and warm evenings. Demanding with its muggy heat, mosquitoes, sudden rains, potential hurricanes, and impacts on health and housing.
To succeed in your expatriation to Cuba, it is essential to understand the seasons, manage heat and humidity, prepare your housing and health, and adopt local reflexes. This adaptation allows not only for risk reduction but also for appreciating a different relationship with time, the body, and the environment.
The key is not to resist the climate at all costs, but to adjust your habits, rhythm, and expectations. Once this step is taken, Cuba’s climate ceases to be an obstacle and becomes one of the essential ingredients of a rich and singular life experience.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
