Maisí Travel Guide

City City in Guantánamo Province, Cuba

At Cuba’s eastern tip, Maisí anchors remote coastal roads and the lighthouse at Cabo Maisí; travelers seek rugged shorelines, local fishing communities, Caribbean surf and encounters with rural Cuban life beyond city tourism.

Main image
Costs
$20-50 USD per day
Very affordable by Cuban standards; few tourist amenities.
Safety
Generally safe with normal precautions
Generally safe for visitors; petty theft can occur in busy spots.
Best Time
November-April
Drier months after hurricane season are best for travel.
Time
Weather
Population
28,276
Infrastructure & Convenience
Remote roads, few hotels, limited public transport and tourist services.
Popularity
Very low international tourism; attracts adventurous travelers and locals.
Known For
Punta Maisí lighthouse, easternmost point of Cuba, rugged coastline, fishing villages, local beaches, rural Cuban life, scenic cliffs, Taino heritage traces
Punta Maisí in the municipality is the easternmost point of Cuba, marked by a coastal lighthouse.

Why Visit Maisí? #

At Cuba’s eastern tip, Maisí is defined by rugged coastlines, fishing villages and the landmark Punta Maisí lighthouse standing near sandy coves. Local life revolves around small-scale fishing, coconut-based cuisine and Afrocuban rhythms that surface at occasional village gatherings, while winding coastal roads lead to lookout points and secluded beaches. Travelers who value remote coastal scenery, lighthouse views and rural Cuban culture will find an isolated stretch of the island to explore.

Top Things to Do in Maisí

All Attractions ›
Don't Miss
  • Faro de Punta Maisí - Historic lighthouse marking Cuba's easternmost point, offering coastal panoramas and sea breezes.
  • Punta de Maisí (eastern tip) - Visit the island's eastern tip where Caribbean currents meet rugged coastal cliffs.
  • Alejandro de Humboldt National Park - Biodiverse national park to the west, excellent for hiking and birdwatching excursions.
Hidden Gems
  • Mercado Municipal de Maisí - Small market selling fresh seafood, root vegetables, and handmade local crafts.
  • Mirador de Punta Maisí - Clifftop viewpoint near the lighthouse ideal for sunrise and watching fishing boats.
  • Muelle de Maisí (fishermen's pier) - Small fishermen's pier where boats land and locals mend nets at sunset.
Day Trips
  • Baracoa via La Farola - Historic town Baracoa reachable via mountain road La Farola, colonial churches and cacao shops.
  • Guantánamo city - Regional center with museums, local markets, and access to mountain trails.

Best Time to Visit Maisí #

Maisí on Cuba's eastern tip is tropical with a distinct dry season and a hurricane risk in summer-autumn. Visit November-April for calmer seas and drier weather.

Dry Season
November - April · 22-30 °C (72-86 °F)
Sunny, breezy days with comfortable humidity - ideal for beaches, lighthouse visits and fishing; expect fewer storms and calmer seas usually.
Rainy Season
May - October · 24-31 °C (75-88 °F)
Daily afternoon showers and high humidity; mosquitoes increase, but landscapes are lush and waterfalls lively - carry rain gear and boots.
Hurricane Season
June - November · 24-32 °C (75-90 °F)
Peak storm risk - keep flexible plans, follow local warnings and avoid remote beaches during alerts; ports and roads may close.

Best Time to Visit Maisí #

Climate

Maisí's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 20°C to 32°C. Moderate rainfall (973 mm/year).

Best Time to Visit
MarchFebruaryApril
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
20°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm).

84 Excellent

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
21° 28°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

80 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
10.9h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm).

86 Excellent

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
20° 28°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

60 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
11.4h daylight

March

March is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm).

88 Excellent

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
21° 29°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

51 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
11.9h daylight

April

April is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm).

86 Excellent

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 29°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

60 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
12.5h daylight

May

May is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (104 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
23° 30°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

104 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
13.0h daylight

June

June is hot, feeling like 31°C due to high humidity. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

83 Excellent

Comfort

31°
Feels Like Hot
27°C
Temperature
24° 31°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

69 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
13.2h daylight

July

July is hot, feeling like 32°C due to high humidity. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

32°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
24° 31°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

39 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
13.1h daylight

August

August is the hottest month, feeling like 32°C due to high humidity. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

32°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
25° 32°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

54 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
12.7h daylight

September

September is hot, feeling like 31°C due to high humidity. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

74 Very Good

Comfort

31°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
24° 31°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

90 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
12.1h daylight

October

October is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (159 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
23° 30°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

159 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
11.6h daylight

November

November is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (116 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 29°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

116 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
11.1h daylight

December

December is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm).

84 Excellent

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
21° 28°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

91 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
10.8h daylight

How to Get to Maisí

Maisí is Cuba's easternmost municipality and is reached predominantly by road from Holguín, Baracoa or Santiago de Cuba. There are no direct rail links; travellers use interprovincial buses, private transfers or rented cars to reach the peninsula.

By Air

Frank País Airport (HOG) / José Martí (HAV) and regional options: Maisí is at Cuba’s eastern tip; there are no major commercial airports in the municipality. The nearest significant airports are in Holguín (Frank País, HOG) and Santiago de Cuba (Antonio Maceo, SCU). From Holguín or Santiago de Cuba you travel by road to Maisí - road journeys can be long (3-6 hours depending on origin and road conditions) and are typically taken by interprovincial bus, private transfer or rented car. Prices depend on operator and class of service.

Baracoa / regional airfields: Baracoa’s small regional airfield has limited services; travel from Baracoa to Maisí is still overland along coastal roads and can be slow due to road quality.

By Train & Bus

Train: Cuba does not have a practical passenger rail option for reaching Maisí; long-distance travel in eastern Cuba is almost entirely by road.

Bus / Viazul / local colectivos: Interprovincial buses (including Viazul tourist buses where available) and local colectivos connect towns across eastern Cuba. From Baracoa or Guantánamo the road trip to Maisí may take several hours; fares are modest but vary by operator and class (local colectivos cheaper than tourist services). Private taxis and rented cars are alternatives when public services are infrequent.

How to Get Around Maisí #

Maisí is a remote municipality in eastern Cuba where walking covers most daily needs in town centres. Intercity travel is limited; options include local buses, state-run coach services when available, or hired taxis for longer distances. Expect long travel times and irregular schedules; arrange transport in advance where possible and allow extra time for connections.

Where to Stay in Maisí #

Budget
Maisí town - mostly casas particulares - $10-35/night
Maisí is a very small Cuban town with mostly casas particulares and few formal budget hotels; online listings are scarce and sometimes unavailable.
Mid-Range
Baracoa (nearest town with hotels) - $40-90/night
Formal mid-range hotels are limited in Maisí; travelers often stay in Baracoa for wider selection and services.
Luxury
Major Cuban resort towns (farther afield) - $100+/night
There are effectively no luxury resorts in Maisí itself; nearest high-end stays are far away in larger Cuban resort areas.

Where to Eat in Maisí #

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Maisí's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Local
Barbecue
Regional
Caribbean
Steak House

Nightlife in Maisí #

Nightlife is very limited in Maisí. Evenings are usually quiet and centred on social gatherings, small cafés or community events rather than organized nightlife venues. If you want late-night entertainment, plan to travel to larger towns with more established evening scenes.

Shopping in Maisí #

Shopping is basic: small state-run stores, local markets and stalls provide essentials, food and simple household items. There are few tourist-oriented shops in this remote area. For a wider selection of goods or souvenirs, you’ll need to visit larger Cuban towns and cities.

Nearby Cities #