About Traveling to Cuba in August

The weather in August is hot and wet. Temperatures can be oppressive, with highs around 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It generally cools off to around 75 degrees in the evening. The heat is made worse by 80 percent humidity, so visitors can definitely expect to break a sweat during August in Cuba. August is the end of the rainy season, and showers are frequent and brief. There is a cumulative average of 90 mm of rainfall during this month.

August is the peak of hurricane season in Cuba. Violent tropical storms pass over the island on occasion, and it can be a bit unpredictable for tourists looking to spend time on the beaches. Most hurricanes are quick to come and go, lasting for only a few hours. In general, hurricanes do not pose significant danger to travelers. However, larger storms are always a possibility around August and September.

The less-than-perfect weather in August makes it a relatively relaxed time to visit in terms of tourist crowds. You will avoid the tourist-rush if you visit Cuba around this time. Most international visitors flock to Cuba between November and March when the weather is comfortably warm and there is little risk of a hurricane. However, August is also the month when most Cubans are on vacation, so you are more likely to see smaller crowds of locals rather than foreigners this time of year.

The Havana International Hip-hop Festival is held annually in August. It is organized by la Asociación Hermanos Saíz, a branch of the Union of Cuban Writers and Artists. Despite its reputation for salsa and mambo, Cuba also has a blossoming generation of talented hip-hop artists like the group, Orishas. This festival in the capital of Cuba has become a popular attraction since it was started back in the 1990s.

Visit the Cuba Danza Workshop in August. This annual event is presented by the Contemporary Dance Company of Cuba in association with the National Theater of Cuba and the National Council of Performing Arts. Special performances and classes are designed to celebrate a wide variety of Cuban dance styles. Those who attend will witness a unique combination of African, Latin, classical and modern dance techniques.