Travel Tips for Cuba
Top Tips for Travel to Cuba 🇨🇺
What you need to know before you head to Cuba
Travel to Cuba is relatively easy even though Cuba is different!
Here are some key things you need to know before you get there so that you can enjoy a smooth and stress free trip. A little preparation goes a long way!
Our guides helped me gather some extra travel tips to share with you.
Here are our top tips for any trip to Cuba:
- Ensure you’re fully vaccinated because Cubans are. 💉 100% of the Cuban population is vaccinated ( 5 year olds and upwards ) and Cuba find the idea of refusing a Covid vaccination inexplicable. Keep up to date with entry requirements by checking the FCDO travel advice for Cuba here. It’s good to know that everyone ( and I mean everyone ) who works in tourism has been vaccinated and has received a booster vaccination too.
- Bring hand sanitiser 😷Cubans are no longer obliged to wear masks in public places but they are extremely health conscious because it’s a tropical country where bugs and bacteria thrive. The best defense against “travellers’ tummy” is to wash your hands frequently and use sanitiser when you don’t have access to soap and water. Cuba isn’t a rich country and you won’t be able to buy any in Cuba.
- Download and fill in your personal details on the new D’Viajeros App. 📲 You’ll need to generate a QR code by filling in the passenger locator form. It is compulsory to present the QR code as you enter Cuba and before you pass through Immigration. Wi-fi connection is patchy in Cuba so get it done before you travel and keep a photo of the QR code on your phone. It’s a quick and easy process once you have the QR code. NOTE: you can only complete the form 48 hours prior to arrival in Cuba.
- Bring EUROS cash in small denominations. 💶€💶Cuba’s national currency is the CUP ( Cuban Peso ) but its value has dropped during Covid and everyone in Cuba wants EUROS. Best to bring your cash in EUR5,10 or 20 notes. You’ll be able to use it pretty much everywhere and especially in bars and restaurants where proprietors actively prefer payments in a solid currency over payments in CUP. It’ll work out better value for you too! Although you can easily exchange your EUR cash into CUP cash, it makes sense to keep the bulk of your cash in EUR as restaurants will often give you a better rate of exchange than the official one. Currently, the official exchange rate is EUR1:CUP117 while the unofficial rate is EUR1:CUP165. Just saying…😉
- Best don’t bring USD cash! ＄😩 Euros are currently the most accepted currency in Cuba and can be used anywhere. USD cash can be exchanged anywhere, but an additional 10% tax will be charged at exchange. USD, EUR, GBP, MXP, CAD are exchangeable at the local exchange bureau but the current official rate of exchange bears little relation to the higher rate of exchange on the street. Put simply, if you bring these currencies and exchange your money in the official CADECA exchange offices, your trip to Cuba will be more expensive. Do yourself a favour, take my advice and bring EUR. In small denominations. This is what you’ll use to pay for pretty much everything.If you’re a UK citizen you can use the very efficient, reliable and easy The Currency Club where you can order and pay for EUR online and get them delivered to your home in 24 hours.
- Expect shortages of many basic items. 🍽🍹Cuba has never been the land of plenty but the pandemic has created more shortages than ever. You can get stuff in hotels and some stores but most of the goods are expensive by any standards and you’ll need to pay with a bank card. You’ll see queues at lots of shops. Cubans endure these shortages with remarkable resilience so be nice and don’t complain if you can’t get the exact meal you fancy. And bring chocolate. You’ll be the most popular person in Cuba if you pack a few bars of Cadbury’s finest. Food will be basic but, on the plus side, there’s no shortage of rum! Havana Club, Black Tears, Ron Santiago, Caney – you’ll be an expert by the end of any week spent in Cuba. Rum cocktails and the local Crystal beer will make up for any lack of variety in food 😉.
- Medication and toiletries 💊🧴Bring any medication and toiletries you will need during your trip and be generous – bring extra to give to Cubans you’ll meet along the way. Cubans currently struggle to find even the most basic medication so the most useful gifts you can bring at the moment are over-the-counter painkillers and useful meds such as Benadryl ( for allergies ) or hydro-cortisone cream for insect bites and skin rashes ) They will be super grateful for any extra items you can fit in your case. Go to Poundland or Superdrug, spend £20 and make someone’s day (and friends for life) when you get to Cuba! Here is a list of items currently impossible or very hard to buy in Cuba…
- Paracetamol
- Ibuprofen
- Anti-histamines
- Sun-cream
- Insect repellent ( those pesky mosquitoes )
- Hydro-cortisone cream ( for rashes and insect bites )
- Nappy cream ( Sudocrem, the magic cream which works on any skin condition! Brilliant on sunburn too J )
- Soap bars
- Sanitary Towels ( yup, imagine you can’t get sanitary protection 🥺 )
- Razors ( now you know why everyone is sporting a beard in Cuba )
- Condoms!
- Moisturisers ( both face and body )
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Deodorant
And if you like snacks ( and like the idea of making someone really, really happy) you might want to pack:
- Chocolate 🍫
- Teabags
- Sweets 🍬
- Nuts
- Snacks 🥨
How to use the internet in Cuba
Connectivity is patchy, that’s the honest truth, but YES! you can still connect to the internet in Cuba. Head over to our blog where we share our expert tips on how to connect to the internet in Cuba.
How safe is Cuba?
Cuba has one of the lowest crime rates in the Western Hemisphere. Violent crime is rare, and petty crimes like pickpocketing are infrequent, especially in tourist areas. Read our Is Cuba Safe? blog to get an idea of what’s like with our top recommendations.
We know you’ll have a good time once you get here, just make sure you take our advice so that you have the best time possible!
What about food?
Cuba has its limitations when it comes to food. So to help you eat yourself happy, we’ve put together a handy food guide with all the information you need – whether you are a meat-eater, vegan, vegetarian or gluten free!
Worried about passport and visa information?
We’ve got your back! We tell you all about everything you need in our Cuba Need To Know section.
Need help planning your perfect Cuba holiday?
Our expert team has over 20 years of experience organising tours and activities in Cuba – the Cuban way! Here are some reasons why our customers trust us:
★ Sustainable and responsible travel experiences
★Travel safely in the hands of an international team of travel professionals
★ Stay in local casas and get closer to Cuban life
★ Bike hire included (Trek hybrid 8.3 DS bikes with front fork suspension)
★ English-speaking tour guides and drivers and mechanics!
★ All bus transfers in private air-conditioned bus
★ Mineral water and local snacks on cycling days
★ 24 hr assistance
The Sustainable, active travel experts in Cuba
For the last 20 years, we have been providing exceptional and meaningful holidays, enriching the lives of active travellers and our community, and exposing them to a unique way of living by sharing real Cuban experiences, in a sustainable way. Get in touch with our expert, friendly team to book a Cuba holiday to remember.
