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Mayarí is nestled within the fertile plains of the Holguín province, characterized by a landscape where the lush tropical greenery of eastern Cuba meets the undulating foothills of the regional highlands. The urban center functions as a vital agricultural hub, dominated by the vast expanses of sugarcane plantations that define its regional economy and spatial organization. Positioned along the banks of the Mayarí River, the city benefits from a hydrological network that supports both biodiversity and industry, yet this low-lying topography creates a specific atmospheric dynamic. The surrounding terrain acts as a partial basin, which can occasionally trap particulate matter during periods of atmospheric stability. The urban–rural gradient is seamless, with residential clusters blending into agricultural belts, meaning the air quality is heavily influenced by land-use practices rather than dense industrial smog. While the proximity to the coast allows the prevailing northeast trade winds to flush the valley, the interaction between the cooling river breezes and the heat-retaining soil of the plains creates localized convection currents. These currents often lift dust and organic aerosols from the surrounding fields into the breathing zone of the town. Consequently, the geographic character of Mayarí renders it susceptible to seasonal fluctuations in air quality, where the interplay of mountain barriers and agricultural intensity dictates the concentration of airborne pollutants, balancing the freshness of the Caribbean breeze with the residues of rural productivity and regional environmental pressures.

In Mayarí, the air quality narrative is dictated by the binary rhythm of the tropical wet and dry seasons experienced here. During the dry season, stretching from November to April, the atmosphere becomes more stagnant, and the risk of pollution peaks significantly. This period coincides with the zafra, or sugarcane harvest, where the traditional practice of burning cane fields releases dense plumes of particulate matter and carbon monoxide into the valley. Meteorological temperature inversions during the cooler winter mornings can trap these pollutants near the ground, leading to hazy conditions that irritate the respiratory system. Conversely, the wet season, spanning May to October, acts as a natural atmospheric cleanser. Frequent heavy rainfall and tropical storms effectively scrub the air of particulates through wet deposition, resulting in the cleanest air of the year. The prevailing northeast trade winds provide a constant, refreshing ventilation mechanism, though their efficacy varies by month. Sensitive groups, including children and the elderly, should limit strenuous outdoor activities during the peak burning months of January and February to avoid triggering chronic asthma or acute bronchitis. To maintain respiratory health, residents are encouraged to stay indoors during the early morning hours when smog is most concentrated. By favoring the rain-washed months for outdoor exertion, the population can effectively minimize their exposure to agricultural smoke. This seasonal cycle creates a predictable oscillation between the smoky haze of the harvest and the crystalline clarity brought by the heavy Caribbean rains.