Cuba is a beautiful and culturally rich country that is becoming more and more popular as a travel destination.
But it’s also a very unique travel destination where you won’t be able to find all the things you may be used to in Europe.
In this article, we will share with you the best Cuba travel tips to help you make your trip unforgettable and as amazing as it can be.
There is no place like Cuba. It’s one of the most unique countries in the world and it has so much to offer.
With that having been said, it’s also important to be well prepared so you don’t get disappointed and can actually enjoy Cuba for what it really is which is exceptional.
Here are 25 Cuba Travel Tips to help you make the most of your time there!
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Do your research
Cuba is a very special destination and most of the products and amenities we are used to have access to in Europe or North America, are not available in Cuba.
Since Cuba operates on a communist regime, there are many things that are completely different to any other country and it’s very important to do your research thoroughly and get to understand how things work before you go.
The living conditions in Cuba are probably much lower than you would expect and it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into so you are not surprised.
This article about the best travel tips for travelling around Cuba is an excellent place to start since it will give you a lot of information about the things you need to understand before going to Cuba.
It’s also important to have an itinerary in mind and pack everything you may need since you probably won’t find it once you are there.
Order your Cuban Tourist Card online
To enter Cuba, you need to have your Cuban Tourist Card. You can get one online for a small fee but make sure you order it in advance as it takes some time to arrive.
If you are based in the UK, you can order from this website. The standard cost is £27 but it can be a bit more expensive if you chose the priority option.
The tourist card is valid for 1 year so it’s important to order it as soon as you can so you don’t stress just before your trip.
It’s very easy to do. You just need to go to the website and fill out your personal information. It will be asking you for the address of your first accommodation but don’t worry if you don’t know yet, this is not a mandatory field.
The only thing you really need at this point is your passport.
Once you receive your visa, make sure to place it in a safe folder, with your passport, ready to go!
Do not fly through the US
Since the US has a trade embargo with Cuba, flying to and from the island is not allowed from a US airport.
This means that you should check your flight path carefully before booking it to make sure it doesn’t cross the US border.
It’s also important to note that your ESTA will be revoked if you’ve been to Cuba since 2021 so that’s something to take into consideration.
When you look at flights, you can use a comparison website like Skyscanner. You may see some very cheap flights with a layover in NYC or Miami. While tempting, it’s important to remember that these aren’t actually an option.
If you are flying from Europe, the two main airports offering direct flights to Havana are Paris Charles de Gaulle and Madrid so look for layover in these airports.
Bring cash in euros
Cuba is still mostly an economy based on cash and credit cards are not widely accepted yet. Another thing that is important to understand is how the currency works.
There is one national currency in Cuba, the Cuban Peso (CUP). This currency is used in restaurants, bars and for some local activities.
The thing though, is that even though this is the national currency, other currency (especially euros) are preferred by the Cubans.
The government-owned shops sell their products (food, rum and other first necessity products) in dollars or euros. For this reason, Cubans need foreign currencies to buy things.
The only issue is that the government doesn’t exchange the Cuban pesos for euros. Therefore, they need to find euros somewhere else.
This is why a lot of people will ask you to exchange money in the street (this is not something you should do but we will get back to that).
Most of your activities will have to be paid in euros and in cash. You will not get the chance to withdraw or get any more euros once you are in Cuba so it’s very important that you bring enough cash for your entire stay.
If you do not have euros, American, Canadian dollars and British Pounds can also be accepted but euros would be best.
Finally, try to take small bank notes as much as possible (like 5 and 10 euros) since people won’t be able to give you the change in euros. If you only have ‘big’ bank notes, they will give you the change back in CUP and often for a bad rate.
Bring your bank card
Now, I know I just said that cash was king in Cuba but there are a couple of places where you will have to pay by card. These places are government-owned shops mainly. So if you are planning to go to a supermarket to buy food or a liquor shop, you will be asked to pay with a card. There is literally no other option.
For this reason, you should always have your card with you. You won’t use it much but in certain occasions, this will be your only option so it’s good to always have it.
PRO TIP: Check with your bank that the card works in Cuba. Certain cards like Revolut or Wise can have issues in Cuba so it’s good to have your ‘normal’ bank card as well.
Stay in casa particulares
I know there are always a lot of package deals available for resort holidays in Cuba but if you can avoid them, that will be a much better choice.
While resort holidays are of course nice, there are so many other places in the world where you can do that. Cuba is unique. There is no other country like it so if you are going to go through the trouble of going all the way to Cuba, you might as well experience the local culture and discover what is so special about this Caribbean island.
One of the best ways to do that is to stay in casa particulares.
Casa particulares are private homes. Basically, they are a bit like the Cuban way of doing Airbnb.
They are much more affordable than the big hotels, and they offer a very authentic Cuban experience.
The people that run them are usually very welcoming and friendly, so you can get to meet real Cubans and learn all about the culture first.
They usually have a few rooms available for rent which also means that you can meet other travellers if you want.
The owner of the casa will also offer to make breakfast and can provide bottles of water and help you find your ground.
They can also be very useful to arrange transfers, activities and taxis.
If you want to book in advance (which you should at least for the first nights), you can easily book a casa particular on Airbnb or HostelWorld.
Pack everything you may need
As previously mentioned, most products are not available in Cuba. This includes every type of toiletries and medication.
Anything that has to do with hygiene and health can simply not be found in Cuba (or at least it’s very difficult and expensive).
So, in other words, you need to pack everything you think you may need. Never assume that you will be able to buy it in Cuba because you simply won’t be.
This includes soap, ibuprofen, paracetamol, sunscreen, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush and more.
If you have any doubts, make sure to check my packing list. It will come in very handy!
Also, since locals have trouble finding these products, they can be a nice thing to give as gifts before you leave.
Pack a power bank
Power cuts and complete blackouts are very common in Cuba. There is a huge shortage of electricity and it’s very common to not have power while travelling in Cuba.
While this is fairly rare in Havana, particularly Old Havana, it’s pretty much a daily struggle in every other part of the country.
If you are staying in a resort or a casa particular with a power generator, it will be a bit easier for you but if you are not, or are out and about, you will face the issue.
For this reason, I particularly recommend packing a good power bank.
If you have a power bank, you will be able to charge your phone and camera which will be very handy.
Another accessory that can come in very handy is a headlamp. No electricity also means no light and a headlamp is handier than the torch on your phone.
Be ready to disconnect from the internet
Internet in Cuba is a topic in itself but to cut long story short, the thing you really need to understand is that the internet is not wildly available.
Most casa particulares do not have wifi and when they do, it’s very slow and weak. In Havana, you can find a few wifi spots around but the connection is not that good and you will need an internet card to get onto it.
If you are travelling to other parts of the country, the internet will be much worse (or even non-existent).
So, if you want to stay connected while in Cuba, your best option is to buy a Cuban SIM card. But as a general thing, you should be prepared to not have connection during your stay or very minimal one.
It’s important to note though that you get 30 minutes free wifi at Havana airport so when you arrive, make the best of these 30 minutes to keep your loved ones updated and tell them you have arrived.
Get a Cuban SIM card
As I just mentioned, if you want to stay connected while in Cuba your best option is to get a Cuban SIM card. This can be done in an ETECSA shop.
These shops are the official telecom shops in Cuba. You can find them in the main cities and they can sell a SIM card with some recharges.
They are actually pretty cheap so it’s definitely worth getting one.
You will need your passport to buy the SIM card so make sure you have it with you.
I’d also recommend getting there early in the morning, as soon as they open if you can, since the queues can be insanely long.
If you go early, you will probably get through in less than 30 minutes. Make sure to buy enough recharges for your entire stay so you don’t have to go back.
While the mobile data connections in Cuba are not the best in the world, it does work very well and will be enough for you to use Whatsapp and other important apps.
Exchange your money at the casa particular
When exchanging money in Cuba, you have several options: exchange it at the airport, at the bank, in the street or do it with a casa particular owner.
I highly recommend doing it at the casa particular because they will give you a better rate than what the airport or the bank offer.
One thing I definitely would not recommend is exchanging your money in the street. You will be solicited a lot while you walk around and some people will offer you rates up to twice the amount of the official rate. This may seem good but it could get you into trouble.
Firstly, it’s illegal to exchange money in the street which means you could be fined for doing so.
Secondly, you don’t know if they will give you real money or fake money.
Long story short, it’s not worth the risk.
The place where you will get the best rate while still being safe is your casa particular. When you get there, ask them the rate they offer, haggle a bit to get a better rate and exchange your money here.
Exchange small amounts at once
No matter what, do not exchange all your euros at once. You will quickly realise in Cuba that euros are more valuable and you will need to use them more often that the CUPs.
It’s important that you hold on to your euros, especially since you won’t necessarily manage to change back your pesos in the end so if you have a big amount left and have to change it at the airport, you will lose a lot of money.
I recommend exchanging between 30 and 50 euros each time, not more.
Also, each casa will offer you a different rate so if you are moving around the island, it’s worth messaging the next casa to ask them for their rate and wait if you can get a better rate.
Download all your apps on your phone
In Cuba, the internet connection is very slow and it’s not always available in every place. Also, there is no access allowed to American websites (which is actually most of the websites we use).
The apps are, on the other hand, allowed and can be used if they are already on your phone.
For this reason, you should download beforehand all the apps you may need to use while you are in Cuba.
This includes the following:
- Google Translate. Make sure to download both the app and the Spanish dictionary so you can use the app completely offline.
- Maps.me. Download the app Maps.me and the entire map of Cuba which will give you access to an offline map of Cuba. This will come in very handy to know where you are, where you are going and ultimately never get lost.
- Airbnb. If you are booking your casa particulares through Airbnb, it’s important to download the app beforehand so you get access to all the information. Even if you haven’t booked on Airbnb, I would recommend downloading it anyway so you have it if you need it. Better safe than sorry.
- Social media apps. While not exactly necessary, if you want to have access to Facebook or Instagram during your trip, you will also need to download them beforehand.
Get travel insurance
While I always recommend you to get travel insurance for any destination, in Cuba that’s actually mandatory.
Yes, that’s right! It is one of the requirements to enter the country and you could be asked to provide your travel insurance certificate at customs.
Realistically, most of the time, they don’t ask for it but it does happen and if you don’t have it, you will be denied entry. It would be a shame to go all this way to be denied entry for that.
Also, regardless of the fact that it is mandatory, it’s very important for you to have travel insurance just in case.
As you might have gathered now, people don’t have access to a lot of things in Cuba and public hospitals are reserved for locals. As a foreigner, you must have travel insurance to be treated in one of the private hospitals.
To get travel insurance, you can check out the website of World Nomads, one of the most famous travel insurance companies in the world, or use a comparison website such as confused.com.
Just make sure that you check that your insurance covers the Caribbean and Cuba.
Don’t buy cigars on the streets
As you might have guessed already, a lot of cigars sold on the streets are fake and they won’t be worth your money.
It is better to buy cigars in the official government-owned shops or directly in the tobacco farms in Viñales as these are the ones that are actually real and made from Cuban tobacco.
Also, they won’t necessarily cost more!
Be prepared for the catcalling
Catcalling is a reality in Cuba, just as it is in other countries.
Despite the fact that catcalling is totally unacceptable and should be stopped, unfortunately you will experience it while walking on the street so make sure to stay aware of your surrounding at all times.
Of course this is a problem that concerns women mainly. Basically, a lot of men will tell you a lot of things. Most of them are compliments but let’s be honest, nobody likes unsollicited opinions.
They can also ask you questions like what your name is or where you are going.
It can be very overwhelming, especially if you are by yourself.
In that having been said, it’s important to note that Cuba is one of the safest countries in the world and while this may not make you feel safe, you actually are.
Catcalling is annoying but this is where it stops. There is no problem of aggression in Cuba so basically my best advice is don’t let it get to you. Act like they don’t get to you and keep doing what you do.
Do not get into the conversation since it won’t go anywhere and it won’t make that interaction shorter. Act like you are confident and ignore it.
This won’t be as much of a problem if you are travelling with a man or are in a group but it’s important to be aware of it.
Cubans are lovely people and they won’t harm you but you will trigger a lot of unwanted attention.
Haggle!
Haggling is not just for the markets! You can haggle for pretty much anything in Cuba.
Whether it’s a taxi ride, a tour, the exchange rate or souvenirs from the market, you should always ask for a better price even if you think that what they are asking is already cheap.
Cubans expect you to negotiate the price so the first one they give you is never the one you should actually be paying.
Of course, you should never try to get something too cheap. They still need to make a living and remember that they have very little but a bit of haggling is always a good thing to do.
In that having been said, if the price is clearly displayed like on the menu of a restaurant or in a government-owned shop, this means it’s not up for discussion and is the actual price.
Do not talk about politics in public
While travel tips are important, it’s also essential to talk about what not to do in Cuba and one of them is talking about politics.
Remember that Cuba is a communist country and that Fidel Castro is seen as a national hero. For this reason, you should not be saying anything that goes against the current regime in public. Not only could you get some of the locals in trouble but you could also find yourself in a difficult spot.
Of course, with such a rich and interesting history, it would be impossible not to talk about politics or ask questions to your tour guide. You can obviously do so but keep extreme opinions for yourself, especially if you have the police or the military nearby.
Travel during the dry season
Cuba is a tropical country and rainy season usually starts in May and goes until October.
During this time, the Caribbean weather can be unpredictable and you can find yourself stuck inside due to heavy rain or worse, a hurricane!
For that reason, the best time to visit is during the dry season which runs from December to April when you can enjoy sunny days.
While travelling to Cuba during the hurricane season can also be enjoyable, it’s better to opt for the dry season if you can. It will be easier for you and you won’t have to skip activities you really wanted to do because of the weather.
Don’t drink tap water
If there is one major rule when travelling to Cuba, it’s not to drink tap water.
Although the water here is considered safe for locals, it’s absolutely not appropriate for Europeans. We are used to have our water much more filtered than that and our stomachs just can’t deal with the water in Cuba.
To avoid that, make sure to buy bottles of water. You can do so from restaurants, shops, your casa or bars. Make sure you double check the bottle was sealed before you drink it.
The easiest place to get bottle of water is your casa. They will give you sealed bottles for sure and while they may be a bit more expensive, at least you know you won’t get sick.
In ‘tourist’ restaurants, ice cubes are usually made with bottled water as well so mojitos are safe to drink there.
If you can, you should also avoid using tap water to brush your teeth.
Finally, make sure to pack some Imodium just in case. Even if you drink bottled water, the food is quite different and it’s not unusual for people to be a little bit sick in Cuba.
Don’t throw toilet paper in the toilet
Here is another thing you should not do in Cuba. As surprising as it may sound you can’t flush down toilet paper. Instead, they have a bin next to the toilet where you should throw your used toilet paper.
This is very important because the sanitary systems are different to the ones we have in Europe and toilet paper will block it!
I know it feels weird for most of us but it’s very important to throw the paper in the bin and not in the toilet.
Also, it could be handy to take tissues or a loo roll with you as most toilets don’t have paper at all. This shouldn’t be an issue while you are at the casa but everywhere else, it could.
I’d also recommend taking hand sanitiser as it’s very rare to find soap.
Expect long queues
This is one of the biggest problems in Cuba. Everywhere you go, queues are long and it’s very normal to wait for hours until you get what you want!
From getting a bus ticket to grocery shopping, locals are used to waiting and even though they may be annoyed by it, patience is key here.
It’s important to be prepared for that.
Get used to ‘Cuban time’
‘Cuban time’ is a term used to describe the lack of punctuality and long wait in Cuba.
Tours, buses or any other type of appointments may start late and it’s absolutely normal here.
The conception of time is quite different in Cuba. People aren’t in a rush and while this may be annoying for some visitors, it’s just something you have to accept.
It’s also something to take into consideration when you go for lunch or dinner as it’s not unusual to wait a couple of hours to get your food.
So, as a general thing, try to go to the restaurant before being too hungry since you will wait and be patient with the locals. You’re on holiday after all!
Don’t expect everything to be available
Cuba has shortages of literally everything which means that many things are not available.
Of course, we already mentioned products such as butter, soap, toothpaste and such but it goes beyond that.
For example, in restaurants, most of the time they can’t offer all the dishes. This is because they couldn’t get the supplies on the day for everything they have on the menu. They will usually let you know but you can always ask if there is anything that is not available.
It’s also very common to have fuel shortages which means that some buses or taxis can be late because they couldn’t find petrol or had to wait for a long time.
Again, patience is key!
Bring mosquito spray and cream
Mosquitoes are pretty much everywhere in Cuba. For this reason, make sure to bring with you some mosquito repellent (for tropical countries) and use it at all time.
You can get bitten even in cities so it’s important to have it with you all the time.
I would also recommend taking cream for the bites since you won’t be able to find it once you’re there.
And we are done with all our Cuba travel tips! Now the only thing that is left for you to do is to enjoy your beautiful holiday in one of the best countries in the world!
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