March in Cuba is one of the best times to visit. The peak tourist season runs from mid-December to mid-March, so if you come towards the end of the month it’s a great time to benefit from the great weather and lower than peak season tourist numbers. You should be wary of the timing of Easter, as it’s likely to lead to higher flight prices, although you’ll get to see some great processions and parades if you do visit Cuba in March. Here’s what to expect and what there is to do in Cuba in March.
THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS. MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER
Come at the right time of the month and you’ll get peak season weather but dwindling peak season visitors and costs. March is a great time to visit Cuba – low humidity, great sunny days, and cool nights. Perfect!
Some say that March is the shoulder season in Cuba, and that may be true towards the end of the month, when you could expect a little more rain, however, it depends on when Easter falls during the year as to whether prices come down or not. You’re likely to see humidity rising at the end of the month as the rainy season begins. Here’s what to do in Cuba in March.
The Weather in March in Cuba
Cuba, during March, is a lovely temperature, warm and sunny, you may see rain in the south of the country. There are average daily temperatures of 23°C (73°F), and you might see highs of 28°C (82°F) in the middle of the day. Night-time temperatures don’t fall much below 18°C or 19°C (64°F to 66°F).
For those of you heading into the ocean, you’ll get sea temperatures of about 26°C (79°F) – perfect for snorkeling, swimming and diving. (Read our guide to diving in Cuba’s Bay of Pigs)
There are just an average of 5 days of rain during March in Cuba, but this tends to be in the south of the country and the monthly average for rain is just 40 millimeters (1.6 inches). The humidity in March is very low, at just 74% on average over the month.
You’ll see 9 hours of sunshine a day in March in Cuba, with sunrise from 06:50 to 07:22 through the month and sunset from 18:33 to 19:44.
Temperatures in Cuba in March
With average daily temperatures of 23 Celsius (73 Fahrenheit), in Cuba during March, you can expect cooler nights, with it dipping down to 18/19 Celsius (64/66 Fahrenheit),
It’s perfect for water sports – snorkeling, swimming, and diving, with the sea temperature around 26 Celsius (81 Fahrenheit).
Rainfall in Cuba in March
There is an average rainfall in March in Cuba of 40 millimeters (1.6 inches) but the rain is usually in the south of the island. On average there are 5 rainy days in Cuba in March.
Things to do in Cuba in March
It’s the perfect time in Cuba to get out, go hiking, spend time at the beach, and also explore some of the cultural events that take place this month.
Top Tours and Activities to Book during March
March is the best time for birders to visit Cuba. There are more than 260 migratory species of birds that head to Cuba during this month, and the BEST place to see them are the wetlands of the Ciénaga de Zapata and Peninsula de Guanahacabibes in Pinar del Río.
The Ciénaga de Zapata National Park is just two hours from Havana – and one of the top National Parks of Cuba. While the birds may be of interest, it’s also a great place to come to go underwater in Cuba. Snorkel and Dive in the Bay of Pigs from either Playa Larga or Playa Giron.
The lower humidity, but sunny days and usually clear skies mean that getting outside and exploring is a great thing to do. And there’s nothing better, IMHO, than if you’re in Havana than taking a classic car tour of the city. Ride down the Malecon, and head to the Plaza de la Revolucion. Take lots of photos. These cars are glorious. I wrote about tours of Havana in a classic car here.
What is there to see in Cuba in March?
If Easter falls during March, as it does in 2024, then while the island of Cuba is secular, there are actually a good number of Cuban Catholics, and so for the pomp and circumstance that comes with Easter Traditions, it’s a good time to visit Cuba.
Trinidad is a fabulous place to visit during Easter. The colonial era city has a big Catholic Culture and after you’ve visited all the great things to see and do in Trinidad, then be sure to try and see the Good Friday procession, it’s called the Nocturnal Way of the Cross Procession and involves a cross being paraded through the streets of the city.
You might also find pilgrimages taking place in Cienfuegos and Camaguey – and Good Friday and Palm Sunday are National Holidays in Cuba, and you can also see processions and parades in both Camaguey and Cienfuegos too.
Havana also has a “Stations of the Cross” procession on Good Friday, which starts at Havana Cathedral and leads through Old Havana to the Church Santo Cristo del Buen Viaje.
March 13th is an important day in Cuba, and while it’s not a holiday it is the anniversary of the attack on the Presidential Palace in Havana in 1957. A group of students tried to overthrow the dictator Fulgencio Batista, the then president. They failed, but this did really get the ball rolling for the 1959 Cuban Revolution. If the Revolution is an interest to you, then check out our 7 day Cuban Revolution Itinerary, which uses the Viazul Bus for transport.
The six-day Drum Festival, or Fiesta del Tambor, has been running for 15 years now in Havana. It’s also known as the Guillermo Barreto Festival (he was one of Cuba’s best drummers). Most of the performances and events happen around Havana’s Teatro Amadeo Roldan and there are usually workshops as well as performances.
March 19th is Trovador Day and it marks the end of the International Pepe Sanchez Trova Festival. Trova is a music genre that dates back to the nineteenth century, when roving singers, called trovadores, traveled the country playing guitars and singing folk songs. The festival is named after Jose Pepe Sanchez, one of Cuba’s popular composers.
Head down the island to Santiago de Cuba and you’ll find the Santiago Álvarez Memorial International Documentary Festival. It’s named after the Cuban filmmaker who died in 1998 and is all about indie films, filmmakers, and journalists.
Places to go in Cuba in March
You should consider heading to places like Baracoa during March. As this is a great time of year for low humidity and pleasant temperatures places like the Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt – which you can visit easily from Baracoa are great to visit. Consider also the Vinales Valley, which also has great hiking options.
Why visit Cuba in March?
For me, a lower humidity of just 74% means that March is the perfect time to visit Cuba. That along with the days getting longer, and sunnier without being baking hot is great. Coming at the end of the month is a great time to visit, as the peak of the season is done. The celebration of Easter is a super time to visit to watch parades and processions, so long as you can avoid any hikes in flight prices of course!
Is it busy in Cuba in March?
You may find it busier in Cuba in March at the beginning of the month. You could also see more people here taking their Easter holidays.
What it’s like in Cuba month by month
Here are our guides on what you can expect when visiting Cuba in different months.
- Things to do in Cuba in March
- Cuba in April
- Cuba in July – events, activities, and weather
- Cuba in August – events, activities, and weather
- Cuba in September – what to expect
Final Words on Visiting Cuba in March
Low humidity, great sunny days, and only 5 days of rain (that are mainly in the south of the country) means that visiting Cuba in March is a great time to come. It’s a great time to go diving or snorkeling. And as the peak season here starts to ease it’s a bit more laidback too!
Cuba’s Best is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
