Zapata Swamp
Zapata Swamp is a protected area and swamp in Cuba covering 4,189 square kilometers. It is recognized as a Ramsar site and is a Tentative World Heritage Site. It ranks as the 6th most looked-up sight in the country on English Wikipedia.
Planning a visit
The driest and coolest time to visit is from December through March, when rainfall is lowest at 32 to 47 millimeters per month and daily highs range from 27 °C to 29 °C. Rainfall increases significantly starting in May, peaking in June and September with over 200 millimeters of rain, making the drier winter months more suitable for outdoor activities. The area sits at an elevation of 5 meters.
To reach Zapata Swamp, the nearest airports are Juan Gualberto Gomez International Airport in Matanzas and Vilo Acuña International Airport in Cayo Largo del Sur, both located 80 kilometers away. The site is 117 kilometers from Havana.
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 33 °C. The wettest is June, with about 225 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 27 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 28 |
| Average low, °C | 19 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 20 |
| Rainfall, mm | 39 | 42 | 47 | 56 | 154 | 225 | 165 | 195 | 210 | 138 | 56 | 32 |
| Rainy days | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 4 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
