What to pack for Havana in February
Heading to Havana in February? Here's a packing list built directly from local climate averages — not generic blog advice.
February is one of the coldest months of the year in Havana (ranked 11 of 12) and among the driest (ranked 10 of 12). Day temperatures are flat compared to January and still warming into March — so this month's packing list won't be identical to January's or March's.
Essentials
- ★ Passport + a photocopy stored separately Travel documents
- ★ Phone + charging cables (USB-C, Lightning as needed) Daily essentials
- • Refillable water bottle (1L) Reduces single-use plastic + saves money
- • Compact daypack (15–20L) For day trips, hands-free walking
- • Travel-size first-aid kit (band-aids, ibuprofen, antihistamines) Pharmacy access varies
Tops
- ★ T-shirts (5–6) — cotton or merino Avg high 26°C — warm
- • 1–2 long-sleeve linen or chambray shirts Cooler evenings + sun protection
Bottoms
- ★ Lightweight breathable shorts (3–4) — linen or quick-dry Avg high 26°C
- • 1 pair of light long pants Sun cover for long days + AC indoors
Outerwear & layers
- • Lightweight cardigan or pashmina shawl Brutal restaurant/transport AC + cool evenings
Rain & weather protection
- · Travel-sized umbrella Just in case (low rain risk)
Footwear
- ★ Walking sandals with arch support (Teva, Chaco, Birkenstock) Warm weather comfort
- ★ Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes — sneakers Long sightseeing days, religious sites, traffic-dodging
Accessories
- ★ High-SPF sunscreen (SPF 30+ minimum, 50+ for fair skin) Strong sun expected
- ★ Sunglasses with UV400 protection Sunny conditions
- ★ Wide-brim sun hat or peaked cap Sun protection
Local style + dress code
- • Havana is hot + humid + the AC is non-existent. Linen, linen, linen. Cobblestones in Habana Vieja — sturdy walking shoes. Local culture tip
Power, voltage & adapters
- ★ 110V at 60Hz Mains electricity standard for Cuba
- ★ Plug types: A, B, C, L (Type A — flat 2-pin (US/Canada/Japan style)) Most common: A. Older buildings may also use B, C, L.
- ★ Some hotels run 220V — check labels carefully. Country-specific gotcha
- • From the UK/Ireland: bring a G→A travel adapter UK Type G plugs don't fit Cuba's outlets
- • If your device is labeled '220–240V only' (common for European hairdryers/kettles), it WILL underperform or not work at all here. Most phone/laptop chargers are dual-voltage — they're fine. Cuba runs 110V — too low for EU-only 230V devices
- · Easiest option: a universal travel adapter (e.g. Anker, Epicka) that handles A/B/C/E/F/G/I in one — covers ~95% of countries. If you travel to multiple regions
✅ Can you carry-on?
Yes — February in Havana packs comfortably into a carry-on. Conditions stay mild enough that you can rely on light layers, one pair of shoes, and a packable rain shell.
23 suggested items total — 5 essentials, 5 clothing items, 2 pairs of shoes.
What you can leave at home
Based on Havana's February climate, here's what won't earn its bag space:
- heavy winter coat & thermal underwear
- gloves, scarves, and wool hats
- rain shell and waterproof bag covers (sky stays mostly dry)
- snow boots and ice grips
How this list was built
Every recommendation above maps to specific climate data for Havana in February: average high (26°C), average low (18°C), expected rain days (4), and any peak hazard seasons. Heavier items appear at colder temperatures; rain gear scales with how often it rains; sun protection appears when it's warm and dry.
The ★ items are essential — pack these first. The • items are recommended for comfort. The · items are nice-to-have if you have space.
Other months in Havana
Daily forecasts, climate averages, and the best activities for the season.