How to Dress in Cuba Without Looking Like a Tourist: The Ultimate Guide to Not Sweating Like a Rhino with High Blood Pressure

Enjoy Cuba’s best bits without melting in the island’s hot, sticky weather (and without missing winter)

If you’re thinking about going to Cuba and wondering, “What on earth should I wear?”, you’re in the right place.

Yes, because in Cuba, between the blazing heat and relentless humidity, you need to be prepared if you don’t want to melt like an ice cube in a mojito left out in the sun.

In this guide, I’ll give you a few tips so you don’t look like a clueless tourist: trust me, you can always spot them. They’re usually the sweaty ones complaining about everything, craving familiar food even on the beach, and thinking that adding an accent to every word is enough to sound Cuban.

But we want better for you. So here are our tips!

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In autumn and winter, the Cuban sun still hits hard — really hard

Let me guess: you want to escape the European winter and enjoy Cuba’s incredible beaches like Cayo Jutías or the ones in Varadero?

Excellent choice, but be ready: even when it’s considered “cool,” Cuba is still very hot.

So leave any heavy clothes at home, dress as lightly as possible, and unbutton whatever can be unbuttoned if you don’t want to sweat buckets!

Remember that here temperatures usually stay between 25°C and 30°C, and every ray of sunshine feels like a Tyson punch straight to the face — so stay on guard and take it like a champ!

So what should you wear?

• Tank tops, T-shirts, and shorts galore: light, thin fabrics that let your skin breathe properly. Think cotton, linen — anything that won’t make you feel like a salted sardine while walking around Old Havana. And if you’re thinking, “I’ll bring jeans because evenings might be cooler…” stop right there. Please, don’t do it!;
• a hat and sunglasses: the Cuban sun is no joke. So if you’re thinking of heading to Cuba without a hat, think again — that would be a big mistake. And sunglasses are not optional either: by the end of the day, after admiring the tobacco plantations of Viñales, you might find yourself squinting like crazy;
• flip-flops or sandals: even if you love sneakers, leave them behind. Would you sit in a car in the middle of August with the windows shut? Hopefully not. Well, think of your feet the same way: they need to breathe and cool off too. So remember this well: OPEN SHOES as if there were no tomorrow! Trust us, flip-flops will be your best friends;
• always keep a swimsuit ready: in Cuba, you never know when you’ll end up in the water (from a swim off Playa Ancón to the waterfalls of Salto del Caburní), so always carry one with you. And don’t worry — even a cheap one will do just fine.

What about the evening?

Don’t expect it to cool down much at night. At most, temperatures may drop by a couple of degrees, but humidity will be your number one enemy.

Remember: having fun and moving around freely and happily, butterfly-style, is tricky with this level of humidity. Harder than lighting a cigar in pouring rain!

So, no stylish jackets or long trousers. Maybe a light linen shirt and a pair of shorts not stained with Cuba Libre, but nothing more.

That covers those seasons.

But what about the other months of the year?

Epic sweating: from May to October (the rainy season)

If you’ve decided to go to Cuba during the rainy season, get ready for some intense conditions. And I’m not talking about hurricanes, which only happen from time to time. No, I’m talking about humidity. That awful sticky feeling that makes it seem like you’re living in one giant sauna, 24 hours a day.

In short, it’s a lot — but don’t worry. I’ve put together a list of must-have clothing for these months too:

• Light, breathable clothing: there’s no escaping it, humidity will be everywhere, so try to wear things that don’t cling to your skin. Linen, cotton, and anything that won’t make you sweat endlessly. Forget dark colours and go for white, beige, and every light shade possible;
• a rain jacket or poncho: even if it sounds like something out of a western film, during Cuba’s rainy season you may really want to keep a poncho with you at all times. Because when it rains here, it’s not a light drizzle. No — the water comes down like a tropical downpour. That’s why you should keep a rain jacket or a colourful poncho in your trusty backpack. At least it’ll save you from wringing out your socks and underwear when you get back;
• keep your swimsuit within easy reach, always: yes, here too. Because with this humidity, you might end up jumping straight into the sea at Playa Larga or Playa Girón — or even into a river, like the pools of San Juan — even if it’s raining, just to cool off. And the beaches are quieter too, which is definitely a nice bonus;
• non-slip flip-flops: would you trust yourself walking in rubber flip-flops when it’s pouring rain? If the answer is yes, congratulations on your courage. But to avoid skidding, slipping, and hurting yourself, you might want to get flip-flops with a bit of grip, so you don’t feel like Bambi on ice the moment you step outside.

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In conclusion

There you have it: the ultimate guide to avoiding Cuba’s tricky climate and surviving the island’s intense heat and humidity. If you follow these tips, not only will you stay comfortable, but you’ll also enjoy Cuba to the fullest.

Are you ready to go now?

Pack your backpack, throw in those two or three outfits I recommended, and head to Cuba with Sto Gran Tour to experience the island for real — not like a casual tourist!