How to Get to Cuba: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
Wondering how to get to Cuba for your next adventure? Whether you're flying from the U.S., Europe, or elsewhere, visiting this unique island comes with a few extra logistics to consider.ย
Planning a trip to Cuba can definitely feel overwhelming - I know we felt that way! After successfully visiting Cuba as an American and Argentinian, flying from two different countries, we have learned a lot about the process.
From understanding visa requirements to booking the right flight and navigating customs, this guide covers everything you need to know to get to Cuba smoothly and legally.
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How to Get to Cuba: Important Info Before You Start Planning
Before diving into all of the details of how to get to Cuba, let's go over some of the basics.
Can US Citizens Travel to Cuba Right Now?
Americans CAN travel to Cuba! They do need to fall into one of 12 categories to travel though, and also purchase a visa before visiting (don't worry- it's easy to get).ย
There are definitely some things to keep in mind though, which is why we wrote a full guide for how to visit Cuba as an American.
Where is Cuba Located?
Cuba is located in the Caribbean Sea. It's the largest island in the Caribbean and it lies in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. It sits south of Florida in the United States, east of Mexicoโs Yucatรกn Peninsula, north of Jamaica, and west of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
How Do You Get to Cuba?
There are a variety of options for how to get to Cuba, and the option you take will first depend on whether you are visiting from somewhere else in the Caribbean, or if you are looking to visit directly from another region.
Here are the different options for getting to Cuba:
- Fly into Cuba: Being located in the Caribbean, there are a few Cuban cities that have direct flights from all over the Americas, several cities in Europe, and even a few others from around the world.
- Take a cruise to Cuba: Right now cruise ships have been suspended, but perhaps in the future they will start back up!
- Hire a private boat to Cuba: You can sail to Cuba, as long as you have the proper paperwork and are not sailing from the US or with a US vessel.
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How to Get to Cuba: Entry Requirements
Before we dive into to the different options for getting to Cuba, let's cover what you'll need for visiting.
Do You Need a Visa for Cuba?
Travelers visiting need a visa to enter the country. Many countries can simply purchase e-visas online. My e-visa costed $100 USD as an American, and Fede's was purchased in the Mexico City airport for 500 MXN ($25 uSD) as an Argentinian.
It's important to note that e-visas aren't available for every nationality, and traditional visas are required for people from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
The Visa is known as the "Cuban Tourist Card" and each airline handles the process a bit differently, so make sure to check how to move forward once you book your flight (chances are airlines will send you an email, but ultimately, it's up to you.
Traveling to Cuba as an American
If you're from the US, you'll need a specific reason to be able to travel to Cuba in order to get your visa, and should have supporting evidence. We recommend reading our guide so that you are properly prepared.
Traveling to Cuba as a European
If you're from Europe, it's also important to note that it will be much more difficult to enter the US after having visited Cuba. If you have plans to visit the US and don't have a visa already (not referring to the ESTA), then you also may want to consider if it is worth visiting Cuba.
How to Get to Cuba: Different Options for Traveling
Now that you know all of the options for how to get to Cuba, let's dive into the details so we can then compare which option is right for you.
ย How to Get to Cuba by Flight
The easiest and most convenient way to get to Cuba is by flying there.
ย What Airport Do You Fly Into When Going to Cuba?
The most popular airport to fly into in Cuba is Havana, as it is the biggest airport on the island. However, there are actually 8 airports that have international flights to them! You can fly into Camagรผey, Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo del Sur, Havana, Holguin, Santa Clara, Santiago de Cuba, and Varadero.
What Cities Have Flights to Cuba?
Here are the different cities that fly direct to each Cuban airport:
- Camagรผey: Kingston and Santo Domingo
- Cayo Coco: Montreal and Toronto
- Cayo Largo del Sur: Montreal and Quebec
- Havana: Antigua, Asunciรณn, Basseterre, Bogotรก, Bridgetown, Caracas, Castries, Cancรบn, Fort-de-France, Georgetown, Grand Cayman, Gustavia, Houston, Lima, Madrid, Mรฉrida, Mexico City, Miami, Montevideo, Montreal, Nassau, New York, Panama City, Port of Spain, Port-au-Prince, Providenciales, Punta Cana, Quito, Roseau, Saint Johnโs, Saint Pierre, Saint Vincent, Santo Domingo, Tampa, Toronto, and Valencia
- Holguin: Halifax, Miami, Montreal, Prague, Quebec City, and Toronto
- Santa Clara: Miami, Montreal, and Toronto
- Santiago de Cuba: Miami, Montreal, and Toronto
- Varadero: Brussels, Calgary, Cancรบn, Frankfurt, Halifax, Lisbon, Manchester, Miami, Montreal, Moscow, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg
Who Flies Direct to Cuba?
From North America, airlines that fly directly to Cuba include Air Canada, Air Transat, American Airlines, Delta, GlobalX, Havana Air, JetBlue, Southwest, Sunwing Airlines, United, and WestJet.ย
From Latin America and the Caribbean, carriers include Avianca, Bahamasair, Caribbean Airlines, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Cubana de Aviaciรณn, InterCaribbean Airways, LATAM Perรบ, and Sky High Aviation.
If you are coming from Europe, you can find direct flights offered by Air Europa, Air France, Blue Panorama, Condor, Edelweiss Air, Eurowings Discover, Iberia, Neos, Plus Ultra, TAP Air Portugal (via codeshare), TUI Airways, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and World2Fly. From Asia, Air China operates seasonal service to Cuba, with a stopover in Madrid.
Flight Tip:ย Using Skyscanner you can put from "your city" to "Cuba". This way you can see which is the cheapest airport on the island to fly to. Also, you can check the calendar to see which are the cheapest dates for flying in.
Search for a flight to Cuba:
How to Get to Cuba by Sea
There used to be plenty of vessels stopping in Havana as a port of a call. Actually, when I was working on cruise ships in 2019, I was going to have a contract selling shore excursions on Norwegian Cruise Line.ย
Shortly before receiving my contract the cruise industry put a halt to its routes to Cuba, and they are still suspended to this day.
Many cruise ships used to sail to Cuba on Caribbean itineraries.
ย Sailing Private to Cuba
Although cruise ships are no longer able to visit Cuba, private vessels are still permitted to enter the country, typically coming from other Caribbean islands.ย
The most popular ports in Cuba are Havana and Varadero, and passengers are welcome to arrive via sea, but will need to have their Cuba Tourist Card ready before arrival.
Keep in mind that all vessels from the US are strictly prohibited from entry, so if you are American and want to take a boat to Cuba, you'll need to do it from a somewhere else in the Caribbean, with a vessel registered outside the US.
Don't have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later? Just pin it!
How to Get to Cuba: Final Thoughts & Tips
Now you know how to get to Cuba, and all of the important details for visiting. But in case you missed anything, here is a bit of a recap:
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What's Next?
Now you know if Cuba is worth visiting or not, and if you do plan on going, you may need some more info. Here are some of our other guides we recommend to help you plan your visit to this unique island:
ย Is Cuba Worth Visiting? Honest Pros & Cons for Visiting
ย Can American Travel to Cuba? A Full Explanation of How You Can Visit if You're from the US
ย How to Get to Havana: Your Complete Guide for Traveling to Cuba's Capital
ย 10 Best Places to Visit in Cuba for an Unforgettable Trip
ย Is There Wifi in Cuba in 2024? The Ultimate Guide for Internet in Cuba
ย Ultimate Havana Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Eat, & Explore
ย What to Eat in Cuba: A Guide to Local Flavors
ย The Top Restaurants in Havana: Complete Food Guide for Cuba's Capital
ย How to Get Around Cuba: A Complete Transportation Guide
ย Scooters in Cuba: Everything You Need to Know Before Renting
...and more coming each week!
Travel Planning Tools
Here are some useful tools that you can use for planning your upcoming trip!
So, are you ready to plan you trip? We hope our guide has helped answer any questions you may have had about getting to Cuba, no matter where you are coming from. Still have questions? Feel free to drop them in the comments below!
Want to learn more about traveling in Cuba? We have a ton of other Cuba Travel Guidesย for you, as well as new articles coming each week! Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter so that you can stay up to date with the most recent content, as well as for special content and discounts on our shop.
Looking to travel to Cuba but need help planning your trip? Well, we're here to help! Scratch Your Mapa is ready to help you save both time and money on your trip, so that you can fully enjoy your trip while we take care of the not-so-fun part. Want more info? Take a look at some of the travel planning packagesย we have, orย email us today to learn more!
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