Weather Lowdown
When we come to January, the winter season is fully underway in Playa Pesquero, but that does not mean you should expect snow and frosty temperatures. In fact, the average daily temperature remains at 23°C. Lows may hit 18°C, but the highs go up as far as 28°C. Now, that makes this the coldest month of the year so you can see that the climate here is always very warm indeed!
Rainfall possible year round, but when it falls this month, it won't be a big deal. Only 69mm of rain is going to come down through the whole month, covering just 6 days normally, so the showers will be brief and light. You will have plenty of time to explore and enjoy the sunshine even on rainy days, with an average of 8 hours of daylight. This is one of the factors which contributes to the temperatures being so high even in the winter months, as the sun heats up the island all year round.
If you visit Cuba, of course one of the main things you will want to do is head down to the beach and swim in the sea. You can do that comfortably at this time of the year even though it is winter, as the average sea temperature is 26°C. Just watch out for any weather warnings to do with the wind when you are in the waters. This is a steady constant temperature for the next few months, as the water only starts to get a bit warmer when we get into April, and even then it only warms up by a degree so there is really no bad time to swim here when it comes to the temperature.
Where to Stay
Romance is in the air at the Brisas Guardalavaca Hotel, which is great for couples who don't mind January being the winter season so long as they can snuggle up together. Of course, since the temperatures are still tropical here, you will be glad that the hotel opens onto the beach with direct access for guests. They also have a jungle café which is complete with leafy green features around the room.
If you want to stay at a bed and breakfast, let Victor and Tanya look after you at the Hostal Finca La Esperanza. They are known to provide great hospitality with a warm welcome for all guests in their family-run B&B, which has a private pool for guests only. They also serve authentic Cuban cuisine at meal times.
Carmen is another local businesswoman who has turned her home into a guest house, in the Hostal Carmen. Wonderful Cuban food is served in this tranquil hideaway, a little further from the coast. Live like a local, and if you are a solo traveller, find wonderful company in your host to keep you entertained.
Hit the Beach
You can enjoy average sea temperatures of 26°C if you head down to the remote Playa Yuraguanal. You may need to drive over there or take a taxi, but the result is a beautiful stretch of white sand which is one of the best-kept secrets on the Cuban coast. Most local guests head to the larger nearby beaches, so this one can be quite calm.
The water gradually gets deeper from a shallow shoreline, so it is great for younger children and novice swimmers as well as snorkelers. You can hire a pedalo or just sit back on the sun loungers which are free to use. The beach is cleaned every day and hosts plenty of marine life, such as crabs and small fish, as well as bigger specimens out in the reef. Green flags on the sand indicate when the water is safe for swimming, changing to yellow if you need to be more careful. This normally depends on the speed of the wind.
Restaurants and Nightlife
For a restaurant with a different kind of view, head to Dona Dora. Interestingly this place has inside walls that are painted bright pink and decorated with tribal masks of all kinds! This pizzeria also has a full bar and very low prices, great for a casual meal out.
Something a little more magnificent comes from The Colonial 1545. This restaurant is housed inside an historic building, with an outdoor patio where you can eat in the sun. Traditional Cuban food is served inside a colonial setting, with a wide range of menu choices on offer.
For American cuisine, head to Exkisite. This is a great place for homesick US visitors or just those who love the classic dishes like cheeseburgers and pancakes. Also on the menu are options like ribs, tacos, and fries with cheese. It's enough to make you put on an extra dress size!
Things to Do
It is still fairly warm in January, but if you want to stay away from the beach, try visiting the Chorro de Maita Museum instead. Aboriginal peoples from the area are celebrated here, with displays of the way they used to live as well as preserved remains from the time. The archeological site is the ruins of a former settlement. If history is your thing, you will love a visit here.
Then again, you could learn about the modern culture instead. Live music is a big part of Cuban life and so there are lots of bars and restaurants which offer live bands every night. They can even perform during the day in some places. See how the locals enjoy the atmosphere and how they can dance the night away to traditional music.
