Things to Do in Havana in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Havana
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Dry season tail-end means you get excellent beach weather with minimal rain - those 10 rainy days are typically brief afternoon showers that clear within 20-30 minutes, not all-day washouts. Perfect for planning outdoor activities in the morning.
- Pre-summer sweet spot with temperatures around 28°C (83°F) - warm enough for beach days but not the oppressive 32°C+ (90°F+) heat that hits May through September. Locals actually spend time outdoors during midday, which tells you something.
- Shoulder season pricing without shoulder season weather - you're getting near-perfect conditions but accommodation rates are typically 20-30% lower than December-March peak season. Flight prices from North America and Europe drop noticeably after Easter week ends.
- Cultural calendar is relatively quiet, meaning you'll experience Havana as Habaneros actually live it rather than the festival-packed tourist spectacle of other months. Museums, galleries, and historic sites are pleasantly uncrowded - you can actually spend time in the Museum of the Revolution without being swept along by tour groups.
Considerations
- Easter week (timing varies, but often falls in April) brings a spike in domestic Cuban tourism and prices jump 40-50% for that specific week. If Easter lands in April 2026 (April 5-12), either embrace the crowds or avoid those exact dates entirely.
- The 70% humidity is real and cumulative - by day three, you'll understand why Habaneros move slowly in the afternoon. That combination of 28°C (83°F) and high humidity feels closer to 32°C (90°F), especially in Old Havana's narrow streets where air doesn't circulate well.
- Hurricane season officially starts June 1st, but April occasionally gets freak weather systems that bring unexpected wind and rain. Rare, but worth knowing - travel insurance that covers weather disruptions is actually useful for April, unlike the truly stable January-February window.
Best Activities in April
Old Havana Walking Tours and Architecture Exploration
April mornings (7am-11am) are genuinely perfect for exploring Old Havana's colonial architecture before the heat peaks. The 28°C (83°F) highs mean you can comfortably walk the 4-5 km (2.5-3 miles) loop from Plaza de la Catedral through Plaza Vieja to Plaza de Armas without melting. The soft morning light is exceptional for photography - those pastel building facades practically glow. Afternoons, when brief showers might roll through, are ideal for ducking into museums like the Museo de la Ciudad or the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, which are blessedly air-conditioned.
Playas del Este Beach Days
The beaches 18 km (11 miles) east of central Havana - particularly Santa Maria del Mar - are in prime condition during April. Water temperature sits around 26°C (79°F), which is warm enough for extended swimming without a wetsuit but still refreshing. Crucially, April falls before the summer seaweed blooms that can make July-August less pleasant. The brief afternoon showers usually hit around 3-4pm, so plan beach time for morning through early afternoon. Locals pack these beaches on weekends but weekdays are remarkably quiet.
Vintage Car Tours Through Vedado and Miramar
Those iconic 1950s American cars are everywhere in Havana, and April weather is ideal for convertible cruising. The 28°C (83°F) temperatures with occasional breeze off the Malecón make open-top driving genuinely pleasant rather than punishing. Evening tours (5-7pm) are particularly nice as temperatures drop to around 24°C (75°F) and you catch sunset along the waterfront. The humidity actually adds a certain atmospheric quality to the experience - very Buena Vista Social Club. Tours typically cover 20-30 km (12-19 miles) through neighborhoods tourists rarely see on foot.
Live Music Venues and Jazz Clubs
April evenings are perfect for Havana's legendary music scene. Temperatures cool to 21-23°C (69-73°F) after sunset, making the often-packed, poorly-ventilated music venues actually tolerable. Many clubs have outdoor courtyards that are genuinely pleasant in April but sweltering in summer months. The music calendar is active year-round, but April lacks the tourist-heavy festival crowds of December-February, meaning you're more likely to see locals in the audience and hear musicians playing for the love of it rather than performing the greatest hits for tour groups.
Viñales Valley Day Trips
The valley 180 km (112 miles) west of Havana is spectacular in April - the tobacco harvest is finished but the landscape is still lush and green before the May-October rains truly drench everything. Those distinctive limestone mogotes (hills) rising from the valley floor are wrapped in morning mist that typically burns off by 10am, creating dramatic photo opportunities. April temperatures in Viñales run 2-3°C (4-5°F) cooler than Havana, and the lower humidity makes hiking and cycling genuinely comfortable. The rural pace feels worlds away from Havana despite being just a 3-hour drive.
Cooking Classes and Paladar Dining Experiences
Havana's paladar (private restaurant) scene has exploded in recent years, and April is ideal for food-focused experiences. The afternoon rain showers make this a perfect indoor activity for 2-4pm when you'd otherwise be hiding from the heat. Many paladars and cooking schools offer classes where you'll prepare classic dishes like ropa vieja, moros y cristianos, and tostones, then eat what you've made. You're getting genuine insight into Cuban home cooking, which is quite different from the often-mediocre state restaurant food. The seasonal produce in April includes excellent avocados, mangoes starting to come in, and fresh fish from the north coast.
April Events & Festivals
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
If Easter falls in April 2026 (which it does - April 5-12), you'll see processions and religious observances throughout Havana, particularly in Old Havana around the Cathedral. While Cuba is officially secular, Catholic traditions persist and Holy Week brings families together. Churches hold special services, and you'll find traditional foods like potaje de vigilia (Lenten stew) on menus. Worth experiencing for the cultural insight, but expect higher prices and fuller accommodations during this specific week.