Have you always wanted to visit Cuba? Want to plan a trip but unsure how to do so? Cuba is an amazing country to visit, it will transport you to a different era and the people, music, culture and charm will leave a lasting impression on you.
Cuba is the perfect destination if you are looking to experience somewhere totally unique and there are options for all types of travellers, from budget backpackers keen to explore to luxury travellers and families keen on an affordable all-inclusive break.
In the last decade, tourism in Cuba has slowly been growing. But this country also requires a lot more research and effort to make a trip actually happen and be successful.
View our top tips if you are planning to travel to Cuba for the first time.
1. Cuba is in the Caribbean
Before we get started on our important list of things to know about Cuba, one common misconception is that Cuba is located in Central or South America. This isn’t factually or historically correct, Cuba is actually an island in the Caribbean located near Bahamas, Jamaica, Haiti and Turks and Caicos.
2. Plan Ahead
Cuba is quite a difficult country to travel to, its not somewhere like Cancun where you can book a last minute flight and just arrived, you will need to get a visa well in-advance of arrival and read up on the country. Booking a trip and arriving without any idea of where you are going to visit or stay is a bad idea. This is much easier to do in other countries, but in Cuba, it will really get your trip off to a challenging start.
3. Best Time to Visit Cuba
Cuba is a great country to visit all year round, with the peak high season generally being from December to March. During this period be prepared for tourist crowds, fewer options and higher prices. For the best weather and most sun, May to September are recommended.
4. Visa
Cuba travel regulations get updated regularly, sometimes not with he Cuban authorities themselves, but with other international governments like the USA.
If you want to visit Cuba from the United States, it is possible, but is more complicated since ex American president Donald Trump introduced restrictions.
If you are American and wondering ‘How to Get a Visa for Cuba’?, you will you need a Cuban Tourist Card (Cuban Visa), travel insurance, and a self-certification under one of the 12 travel categories of authorized travel to Cuba.
The 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba include: family visits; official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations; journalistic activity; professional research and professional meetings; educational activities; religious activities; public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions; support for the Cuban people; humanitarian projects; activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes; exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials; and certain authorized export transactions.
For other international visitors you will need a tourist visa card and it is a lot easier than if you are a U.S. citizen.
5. Pack Essentials
Some normal everyday items can cost a fortune in Cuba due to having to be imported so pack accordingly. Suncream, travel adaptors, insect repellent and medications are all either hard to get, or expensive once in Cuba.
6. Be Check Customs Regulations
Be sure to read up on the latest requirements for what you can and can’t take into the country. Certain items like drones are banned, whilst if you are taking more than two items into the country e.g. laptops, you might get extra confiscated. Mobile telephones, tablets and laptops can be taken to Cuba, but any inbuilt GPS should be disconnected or disabled.
7. Accommodation
There are two different options when it comes to finding somewhere to stay in Cuba. You can opt for a hotels which are nationalised and either owned or run by the government (solely or in a joint venture with a foreign organisation) or you can opt for a casa, a Cuban a locally run ‘private house’ which is usually a family homestay in the form of bed and breakfast.
We recommend staying in casas as this is the best way to put money directly into the hands of the local people. The cost of accommodation in Cuba depends on where you stay but generally, rooms cost between 10-50 USD per person.
8. There are More Places to Visit Than Havana
If you are planning a trip independently, without an organised tour there are lots of destinations to add to your itinerary. Havana is somewhere almost all tourists visit and stay, and for good reason. Here you can visit popular places like Old Habana, Parque Historico Militar and Plaza de la Revolucion (Jose Marti Memorial) – all some of the top attractions in the country.
But there are other cities, towns and nature spots which are well worth checking out too so you can really get a feel for the country.
Top places we recommend seeing include:
• Trinidad
• Santiago de Cuba
• Varadero
• Baracoa
• Guardalavaca
• Cayo Largo del Sur
• Cayo Coco
• El Nicho Waterfalls
• Peninsula de Zapata (Ciénaga de Zapata)
• Parque Nacional Viñales (Valle de Viñales)
There really is so much more to Cuba than just Havana, be sure to add cities like Trinidad and Santiago de Cuba to your itinerary. Both cities are unique and allow you to see beautiful colonial architecture. Some of the other locations on our list are some of the most popular beach resorts or places to see nature and wildlife.
9. The Beaches are Beautiful
Cuba has some of the most pristine beaches in the Caribbean, helped partly by the fewer tourists who visit the country. Some of the best beaches in the country to try to visit include:
• Varadero (one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean)
• Playa Larga, Jardines del Rey
• Playa Maguana, near Baracoa
• Playa Esmeralda, near Guardalavaca
• Varadero, Hicacos Peninsula
• Cayo Levisa, near Palma Rubia
• Punta Francés, Isla de la Juventud
• Playa Pilar, Jardines del Rey
• Cayo Saetía, Guardalavaca
• Cayo Rico, near Cayo Largo
10. Transportation
Getting around Cuba independently is a challenge, the public bus and train services are slow, unreliable or as a foreigner more difficult to take. Your best option is either paying for taxis which are affordable, renting a car, using Viazul, Cuba’s tourist bus company or booking an organised trip. You might want to learn basic Spanish to make your trip here easier.
11. Spontaneity is Difficult
Trying to be spontaneous in Cuba is really difficult compared to other countries. For example, you might wake up and want to visit a specific destination quite far, but you might not be allowed to travel on public buses, and if there is a tourist bus, if it is full, you could wait days to actually depart. If you want to get off the tourist trail this can be difficult unless you are willing to pay a lot in transport or pay a local guide.
12. Tours Are Recommended
Some international tour operators like G Adventures offer year round tours to Cuba taking you to the best places in the country. Usually tour operators can help with visas, documentation and also they arrange accommodation, transport and places to eat which makes travelling here easier and hassle free.
13. Language
If you don’t already know basic Spanish, we recommend learning some. It is not only polite, but will make travelling here easier and more enjoyable. Even if you just pick up the basics for interactions with local people it will make an impression.
14. Bring Plenty of Cash
You will struggle to find restaurants, taxi’s or shops accepting U.S. or international credit/debit cards so. be prepared for this.
American Dollars carry a 10% surcharge and so Euros or British pounds can be best use/exchange in the country. You can usually change it at the airport, at hotels and some selected locations.
There aren’t many ATMs in Cuba and sometimes they run out of money quickly. Bring lots of cash, enough to cover your whole trip. $5000 is the limit for what you can bring into the country without having to declare it.
15. Sightseeing
If you are planning a day of sightseeing, make sure you pack enough supplies for the day ahead including money and water. Sometimes walking around and trying to find shops selling food, drink or even an ATM can be difficult. A lot of tourist attractions in the country are free or very low cost.
16. Buy a Paper Map
Another thing which you might not have thought about taking is a paper map. Wifi is difficult to get in Cuba and so using everyday apps like Google Maps is hard. Having a paper map can really help you to navigate the places you visit.
17. Restaurants
There are lots of tasty local dishes to eat in Cuba, but depending on where you eat food and can be not the best you’ll ever try. We recommend trying to eat at cheaper private restaurants as you’ll get the full local experience at cheaper prices. Sometimes the more expensive restaurants are catered mainly to tourists, and aren’t worth the higher prices. We don’t want to shatter any dreams but you really might disappointed by the food if you live somewhere with a large Cuban community like Miami.
18. WiFi
Cuba doesn’t have the tourist infrastructure as some destinations in the Caribbean and things we sometimes take for granted like high speed free WIFI can be a novelty. Even in expensive hotels, you might be asked to pay for WIFI and it can be slow, really slow.
Wifi is becoming more available in certain public areas in places like Havana but it is charged by the hour and isn’t cheap. For any trip planning, it best to do this in-advance before arrival.
Using a VPN can make accessing websites easier as some American websites and service providers block traffic from Cuba.
19. Costs
Travelling in Cuba is affordable, but it isn’t really cheap as you might expect. Usually you will be charged a lot more than locals for the same things, don’t be angry at this, this is just the way it is.
20. Safety
Cuba is generally very safe for tourists and the chances of feeling uncomfortable or unsafe are rare even at night. You still need to keep your wits about you and follow normal precautions when visiting a new country for example not flashing expensive goods, or drinking too much alcohol. Most people will be very friendly when they see you are a foreigner, especially if you know some Spanish. Be cautious about people speaking to you in English and asking questions about where you are from or being overly friendly, usually they will be trying to sell you something e.g. a trip, accommodation, restaurant, club, taxi etc.
21. History
We recommend learning more about Cuba before arriving, to have a knowledge on the history of the people, culture and country will really help you understand and appreciate the places you visit. You are likely to see lots of communist slogans and signs, also street art and graffiti with Viva Fidel and Viva Raul are common place. To know about the history of Cuba will really enhance your experience.
22. Be Patient
Cuba really won’t be like any other country you’ve visited previously, but it will leave a lasting impression on you. Sometimes you will need to accept things and services don’t run as fast or as smoothly as other countries, but just go with the flow, enjoy the country for what it is, and you won’t be disappointed.
