What To Wear In Cuba: Practical Outfits For A tropical Climate

If you don’t know yet what to pack for your trip or what to wear in Cuba to be comfy and relaxed, here are some ideas from a Cuban girl.

There is just one season in Cuba all year round: Summer!

What does summer bring? Rain, sun, heat, and sweat! That is what you have to prepare your suitcase for. Someone once said that “Cuba is an eternal summer.” He was so right!

The last time I was in Cuba was from November 2019 to January 2020. Then, I went to organize my wedding and spent a few days with my family.

I am Cuban, so I will tell you firsthand what clothes you should put in your suitcase so that your trip to Cuba is a complete success.

I spent most of this time in Havana, Santa Marta, and Varadero.

So I will talk about outfits to wear on a beach and urban environment, although I will give you my insights about what to wear if you venture into the countryside or the mountains.

The best time to travel to Cuba

If you plan to vacation in Cuba, remember that the hurricane season is from July 1 to November 30. Therefore, if you want to avoid the unpleasant experience of seeing yourself in such a situation, you had better not travel at that time. 

In any case, in Cuba, cyclones and hurricanes are taken very seriously, and very few deaths or injuries are reported during these events, thanks to all the measures taken. 

So, if you ever find yourself in this situation, you have nothing to fear. In Cuba, they will take good care of you.

It should also be noted that June to August is intensely hot and humid. I am Cuban, and I avoid going at this time.

The high tourism season, which is also the dry season, begins in early December and runs through March and April.

During this season, the temperatures are fresher, so it is more pleasant to walk around the cities and better know the more urban places. 

If your thing is the beach and nautical activities, the summer months are when the sea is calmer, and you can better enjoy the blue beaches. 

Because there are more waves and wind during the “winter” months, as a result, sometimes, nautical activities are suspended for the safety of everybody.

What to wear in Cuba all year round?

All-natural fabrics, such as cotton or linen, will come in handy. So wear it, especially in your underwear. Believe me. Your private parts will thank you.

1- White shirt

No sunscreen can protect you enough from the Cuban sun.

A white cotton or linen shirt will protect your skin from the sun while you will look elegant and chic.

You can take it very well on all your outings, both urban and in the beach areas, or your excursions to the countryside or mountains.

The natural tissues will let your skin transpire while protecting you from intense solar radiation.

You can also wear your white shirt on cooler nights.

It will keep you warm, protecting you from the chilly night breeze and the lower temperatures.

 A white shirt is a timeless and versatile piece that you will have many opportunities to show off on your trip to Cuba.

2- UV protection clothing.

Just as I recommend the white shirt, I highly recommend you bring UV protection clothing. If so, you will do your skin a great favor, especially if you plan to spend long hours at the beach or do activities during the hottest hours of the day.

I took this long-sleeved t-shirt and used it a lot at the beach because my skin is susceptible, and whenever I expose myself to the sun’s rays, I get a rash in the most uncovered areas.

3- Leggings: Is it alright to wear them in Cuba?

If there is one item of clothing that Cuban women like, it is this one.

Maybe in other countries, leggings are only to wear at the gym, but in Cuba, you can easily combine them with a beautiful blouse, t-shirt, or short dress, and you will be comfy and chic 😉.

You’ll be comfortable and ready to walk, ride a bike or a scooter, get in a horse cart, or run without limited flexibility. Yeah! You need to think about those activities while on your trip to Cuba.

4- Dresses: Wear comfortable and feminine in Cuba.

It is my favorite garment to wear in Cuba. The truth is that long dresses are very comfortable to walk, fresh, and beautiful. With a dress, you will feel right in any place in Cuba, except if you go hiking in a mountain.

You can wear them striped, patterned, flowery or full color, eye-catching, or more discreet. I always bring with me at least three or four dresses, and it is the garment that I wear the most because I like the balance between femininity and comfort.

If you like art, ballet, concerts, plays, and exhibitions, in Cuba, you can enjoy excellent shows and performances at a very affordable price, so don’t forget to bring a dress you can wear on these occasions.

5- Shorts

This piece of clothing is trendy too all year round. It is comfortable and fresh: everything you need.  

You will see many people wearing them, tourists and locals, men and women of all ages. So if you like them, this is an opportunity to dress them without hesitation and show the world those sexy legs you have.

6- T-shirts and tank tops

You will need them to match your shorts, leggings, skirts or light trousers.

Remember that the key to success is to wear natural fabrics.

7- Beach cover-up

If you are going to spend a lot of time at the pool or beach, this is a sexy and great piece of clothing to take.

At craft fairs, you can even find some handmade crochet beach cover-ups. I particularly love these. They are unique and make a nice souvenir. 

8- Sarong

This is another essential, especially for its versatility. You can wear it on the beach as a dress or as a skirt, but you can also wear it as a scarf, shawl, towel, or bed sheet. 

I bought this one in Langkawi, Malaysia, as a souvenir, and I love using it. It always enhances my outfit, no matter how simple. And it is very efficient in keeping me warm when it is chilly.

Which are the essential accessories to wear in Cuba?

9- Hat👒 & Sunglasses🕶

As you already know, it is mostly sunny and hot in Cuba.

I know this sounds great if you come from cold countries, but the sun can be annoying, burn, dehydrate, and prevent you from enjoying your tours to the fullest. 

That is why I always emphasize protecting you as much as you can.

So hats and glasses will do that job while being in style.

These tips apply to the opposite genre too. So dudes, grab your sun protection apparel too!

Depending on your taste, I recommend you bring your hat from your home country. There are some hats at the craft fairs, but I found them rare and rustic. 

At the hotel store, you can find some of better quality. You might be lucky and get a cute one. And some Souvenir stores also sell caps.

What to wear on my feet in Cuba?

10- Sandals, sneakers & flips-flops

The Cuban woman likes heels. They will walk the bumpy streets, dance, run on their heels or platforms, and always have a beautiful smile from ear to ear that will never let you see the pain in their feet.

If you are going to enjoy the hotel facilities, such as restaurants, bars, or discos, and do not intend to go for a walk, you can wear your high heels. 

If, on the contrary, you want to feel comfortable and ready for the streets of Cuba, it is better to wear sandals, flats, or sneakers. With these types of shoes, you can’t go wrong. 

Some block-heel sandals will do the job if you do not want to wear simple flats.

But you need stable shoes to walk in Cuba since the sidewalks and streets are generally in bad shape, and it is easy to get injured if you go out in heels.

Believe me, Cuban women are trained to do such a thing.

For their part, flips flops will be very useful for walking on the beach, and I like to bathe in hotel showers with them on, just in case. (In general, it is easy to become infected with fungi in hotel showers, toilets, and public pools, not only in Cuba)

11- Bag or Backpack?

Your bag in Cuba has to be a kind of magic backpack. At a minimum, you should bring your water bottle, toilet paper, sunscreen, and hand sanitizer. Why? Well, because it is difficult to find these things in Cuba. Yes, even the water bottle.

Depending on the areas you visit, it will be more or less challenging to find these basics, but I prefer to bring them with me, and thus I have no surprises.

I bought a leather backpack that is the perfect size to bring with me on my walks. I can put all those little things, and I still have space if I want a souvenir or something. Also, it has room for my laptop, which is part of my carry-on luggage.

12- Earrings, Necklaces & Bracelets 

Cubans are creative and colorful! And that is reflected in our clothing and the accessories we wear.

Cubans love all kinds of jewelry. You can find people wearing a wide variety of gold chains and rings, all at the same time, something like Thanos’ hand. Sometimes, it is too much for my taste.

But bringing expensive jewelry is not recommended. Instead, I advise you to keep your costly accessories at home since they can attract thieves and get lost or spoiled.

But you have options if you like accessories. I already told you about the craft fairs. There are all kinds of handmade necklaces, bracelets, and earrings—beautiful pieces of crafts made of wood, coconut, seeds, or plastic. I love them, and they are charming as souvenirs.

13- Bathing suits 🩱 👙 

A swimsuit must accompany you at all times. Cuba is an archipelago, and one of its biggest attractions is its beaches, especially the northern ones, among which we find Varadero and the famous Cays.

If you go to the mountains, bring one with you, since you may find some rivers or waterfalls and want to take a dip.

In any case, bring more than one swimsuit if you plan to make this your main activity. It is always more comfortable to wear a dry one.

What to wear in Cuba during the dry season or winter?

Some days are colder than others, especially during the “winter” or dry season.

On those days, it is convenient to have a sweater, a light cardigan, or a denim jacket on hand. Don’t forget that you can also use your sarong as a shawl or scarf.

If you get cold quickly, you will want to have some pants available or thick leggings. But if you come from a cold country, these temperatures will probably be insignificant.

So, is your suitcase ready? I can assure you that you are going to have a unique vacation. You will remember this trip all your life.

If you are in Varadero, my advice is to go outside. Take a taxi and go to Santa Marta to try the delicious local food in its restaurants. Do not stay at the hotel. 

The best thing about Cuba is the kindness and joy of its people despite the scarcity of economic resources.

If you want to read the most inspirational quotes from iconic female travelers, check here.

Cuba is a safe country, especially for tourists, so don’t miss getting to know its truth and live your vacation to the fullest.

Leave a comment below to let me know if this was helpful.