Things to Do in Havana in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Havana
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak dry season means you're looking at mostly clear skies and minimal rain - those 10 rainy days typically bring brief showers rather than all-day washouts, and with 0.0 inches recorded, you're more likely dealing with passing clouds than actual downpours
- Temperatures hover in that sweet spot of 67-79°F (19-26°C) where you can actually walk around Habana Vieja for hours without melting - mornings are genuinely pleasant for exploring before the midday heat kicks in
- December brings a noticeable energy shift as Cubans prepare for end-of-year celebrations - you'll catch impromptu street parties, live music spilling from casas particulares, and a festive atmosphere that feels authentic rather than staged for tourists
- The 70% humidity is actually manageable compared to summer months when it regularly hits 85-90% - your camera lens won't fog up the moment you step outside, and you can wear real clothes instead of surviving in swimwear
Considerations
- This is peak tourist season, which means accommodation prices jump 40-60% compared to May or September - casas particulares that run 30-35 CUC in low season will ask 50-70 CUC, and you'll need to book 6-8 weeks ahead for decent options in Centro Habana or Vedado
- The UV index of 8 is legitimately aggressive - you'll burn in under 20 minutes without protection, and that Caribbean sun reflects hard off those white colonial buildings and the Malecón seawall, hitting you from multiple angles
- Those 10 rainy days, while brief, tend to hit in late afternoon around 3-5pm and can temporarily shut down outdoor plans - the city doesn't have great drainage, so streets in Old Havana can flood ankle-deep within 15 minutes of heavy rain starting
Best Activities in December
Classic Car Tours Through Vedado and Miramar
December weather is actually ideal for open-top convertible rides - the 67-79°F (19-26°C) range means you're comfortable with wind in your face, unlike July when you'd be sweating through the leather seats. Morning tours from 9-11am catch the best light for photos along the Malecón before humidity peaks. The dry conditions mean those vintage 1950s Chevys and Buicks are more reliable - rain can actually stall these old engines.
Walking Tours of Habana Vieja's Architecture
The December temperature window is perfect for the 3-4 hours you'll need to properly explore Old Havana's colonial core. Start at 8am when it's still 67-70°F (19-21°C) and streets are quiet - by 11am you'll want to duck into a museum or cafe anyway. The lower humidity means you can actually look up at baroque facades without sweat dripping in your eyes. December light is softer than summer's harsh glare, better for appreciating the pastel building colors and architectural details.
Live Music Venues in Centro and Vedado
December brings an uptick in quality performances as musicians return from summer touring and venues ramp up for holiday crowds. The comfortable evening temperatures of 70-72°F (21-22°C) mean outdoor courtyard venues like those in Callejón de Hamel are actually pleasant - you're not choosing between suffocating indoors or sweating outside. Shows typically run 9pm-1am when it's coolest. The festive December energy means more spontaneous jam sessions in bars around Calle 23.
Playas del Este Beach Day Trips
December ocean temperatures hover around 77-79°F (25-26°C) - warm enough for comfortable swimming without the summer jellyfish swarms. The 20-minute drive east to Santa María del Mar or Guanabo beaches is worth it for actual sand and clearer water than you'll find along the Malecón. December weekdays are quieter than weekends when Habaneros descend en masse. The lower UV intensity... well, it's still an 8, so you'll burn, but slightly slower than summer's 10-11.
Cooking Classes in Local Homes
December is actually ideal for standing over a hot stove because morning temperatures are tolerable - try this in August and you'd pass out. You'll learn to make ropa vieja, moros y cristianos, and tostones using ingredients from local agromercados. Classes typically run 9am-1pm, ending with lunch you've prepared. December brings seasonal produce like malanga and boniato that you won't see year-round. The cultural exchange aspect - cooking in someone's actual home - provides context no restaurant tour can match.
Viñales Valley Day Trips for Tobacco Farm Visits
December falls right in the middle of tobacco growing season, which runs November through February - you'll see actual cultivation rather than empty fields. The 2.5-hour drive west puts you in mogote limestone hill country where temperatures run 3-5°F (2-3°C) cooler than Havana. Farm tours show the full process from seedling to cigar rolling, and December's dry weather means farms are accessible without muddy roads. The scenery is legitimately stunning - bright red soil against green tobacco fields and gray limestone formations.
December Events & Festivals
Festival Internacional del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano
This is Cuba's premier film festival, typically running for 10 days in early December and screening Latin American cinema across venues in Vedado and Centro. You can actually attend screenings - tickets are cheap at 2-5 CUC, and it's a chance to see Cuban and regional films that never get international distribution. The festival brings an artsy, intellectual energy to the city with filmmakers, critics, and cinema students filling cafes and bars around Calle 23. Worth planning around if you're into film; easy to ignore if you're not.
Parrandas Preparations and Neighborhood Celebrations
While the major Parrandas festivals happen in central Cuba towns like Remedios, Havana neighborhoods host their own smaller versions in late December with street parties, music, and decorated floats. These are genuinely local events rather than tourist productions - you'll see families building elaborate decorations and practicing comparsas routines. The energy builds throughout the month. Not a formal ticketed event, just something you'll stumble into if you're staying in residential areas like Vedado or Centro rather than tourist zones.