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:
- Bring hand sanitiser 😷Cubans are extremely clean and 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 1 week prior to arrival in Cuba.
- Bring EUR or USD cash in small denominations. 💶€💶 $ Cuba’s national currency is the CUP ( Cuban Peso ) but its value fluctuates ALOT and everyone in Cuba wants EUR or USD. Best to bring your cash in USD or 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/USD cash into CUP cash, it makes sense to keep the bulk of your cash in EUR/USD as restaurants will often give you a better rate of exchange than the official one. Currently, the official exchange rate is USD1:CUP132 while the unofficial rate is USD1:CUP322. Just saying…😉
- Bring a torch and a power bank 🔦🪫 At best Cuba’s infrastructure is rickety and power cuts happen frequently, so you should expect to experience at least one power outage on your trip to Cuba. Come prepared by bringing a torch ( much safer than using your phone to find your way home ) and pack a power bank so that you can recharge and stay connected if electricity supplies fail.
- Best assume ATMs don’t work in Cuba ! ＄😩 Cuba might be the last country where CASH IS KING. We’re so used to travelling cashless , this one will come as a surprise but do yourself a favour and take my advice – assume you won’t be able to use your bank cards anywhere! Many bank cards won’t work in Cuba anyway ( US bank cards don’t work in Cuba , nor do European cards issued by US banks, so check with your bank before departure ) You can use your bank card in Duty Free and in a few stores and all medical centres around the country.
- Expect shortages of many basic items. 🍽🍹Cuba has never been the land of plenty but post-pandemic, there are more shortages than ever. You can get stuff in hotels and some stores but goods can be expensive by any standards. 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 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.
