Cuba Travel Tips: Essential Things to Know Before Visiting the Island

If you're planning a trip to the Caribbean’s most captivating island, these Cuba travel tips will help you prepare for a smoother and more rewarding experience. Cuba is unlike any other destination, and knowing what to expect ahead of time can save you from common surprises and frustrations.

From navigating two currency rates to dealing with limited internet access, there are a few quirks that make visiting Cuba a bit different than other places. But with the right knowledge, you can avoid travel headaches and enjoy the unique charm of this fascinating country.

Whether it’s your first time or you're returning to explore more of the island, this guide covers everything you need to know: cultural tips, practical logistics, and what not to do while in Cuba.

Cuba Travel Tips: A Brief Intro to Visiting Cuba

Before diving into all of our travel tips for visiting Cuba, let's go over some important info in general about traveling to the country.

 Can Tourists Visit Cuba Now?

Yes, tourists can visit Cuba right now! The country is fully open to international travelers, and people from most countries can enter without any issues (although you'll need to get a Cuba Tourist Card).

If you're coming from the US, you’ll need to travel under one of twelve approved categories. The most common one is “Support for the Cuban People,” which simply means staying with locals and supporting locally run businesses. As long as you follow the guidelines, you're good to go.

Is Cuba Still Communist?

Yes, Cuba is still a communist country, and unfortunately the people are still struggling majorly because of this. 

The Communist Party runs the government and controls most of the major industries, taking the majority of profits from businesses.

That being said, there are more private businesses now than there used to be. You’ll find family-run guesthouses, local restaurants, and small shops throughout the country. Supporting these places helps the local economy and gives you a more authentic experience.

Is Cuba Safe to Travel to Right Now?

Cuba is considered generally safe for travelers. Violent crime is extremely rare, and although we felt uncomfortable at times, we never felt like we were in real danger. 

The main thing to watch out for is petty theft, so keep an eye on your stuff and don’t flash valuables. The bigger concern is the lack of resources, and some of our top Cuba travel tips will cover what to bring so that you can stay safe and prepared.

Cuba Travel Tips

So are you ready to learn all about traveling in Cuba? Here are 38 Cuba travel tips for you to make the most of your trip.

Essential Cuba Travel Tips: Getting There

First things first - let's get you to Cuba in the easiest and most affordable way! Here are a couple of essential Cuba travel tips for those wanting to get there on a budget.

1. Fly into Havana

Havana is the number one hub in Cuba, and also one of the most popular cities to visit as a tourist. While some people opt to fly into Varadero, we personally don't recommend that.

Havana is more well-located, and if you're looking for a beach getaway then you can also go to some better beaches that aren't as touristy.

2. Have Flexibility in Your Schedule

If you're flexible with your schedule, then you can make it to Cuba for dirt cheap. We found flights for under $100 from the US, and you can too!

Head to Skyscanner and put your city to Cuba, then click the calendar option. This will show you the cheapest dates to fly there!

This is not only one of our Cuba travel tips, but one of our most essential travel tips for traveling anywhere in the world.

Search for a flight to Cuba:

Essential Cuba Travel Tips: Entry Requirements

Now that you know how to get to Cuba for the best price, let's move onto our next super essential Cuba travel tips - which are making sure you get into the country successfully.

3. Prepare Yourself with a Good Reason to Visit

If you're looking to visit Cuba as an American, then you'll be required to provide one of twelve legitimate reasons for visiting. One of our top Cuba travel tips is to use "Support of the Cuban People".

You'll need to have proof of stay, which cannot be a government-run hotel. Book your stay through Airbnb, and make sure to have your proof screenshotted and ready to show the customs officer.

4. Hold on to Your Receipts

Not only do Americans have to have a valid reason for visiting Cuba, but they are also not supposed to be supporting any government establishments. This means you should be staying with locals (which can be via Airbnb), shopping at locally-run shops, and eating at local restaurants.

Hold onto your receipts, because for up to 5 years after your trip you coudl be randomly requested to show proof!

5. Get Your Cuban Tourist Card (Visa)

All countries need a visa for visiting Cuba, which is called the Cuban Tourist Card. Some airlines will help you get yours through them, so we recommend checking your emails or reaching out to see the best way to get yours.

6. Leave Your Drone at Home

Drones are strictly prohibited in Cuba, and unfortunately we had to learn the hard way. While they only temporarily confiscate it, you'll have quite some time waiting for the paperwork, and have to pay a small fine for them holding it.

Not only that, but when we got our drone back it was covered in some sort of powder, ultimately breaking it.

Essential Cuba Travel Tips: Adjusting & Adapting

Whenever traveling to a new country, you'll have certain things you'll want to know before you go. These travel tips for Cuba cover all the ways to make the transition as smooth as possible.

7. Brush Up on Your Spanish

Spanish is the official language in Cuba, and if you want to get around with ease, then picking up the basics is one of our most essential Cuba travel tips. You'll avoid getting scammed more, and locals will be much friendlier.

8. Bring a Water Filter/UV Light

The water is not safe to drink in Cuba, and rather than living off bottled water, one of our top tips for being a more eco-friendly traveler is to invest in a water filter or UV light. This way, you can sterilize any water you find, and stay hydrated without going through a ton of plastic.

9. Make Sure to Bring Enough Cash

American credit cards are blocked from access in Cuba, and even if you're coming from another country, chances are you won't be able to use your card often.

Cash is king in Cuba, so you'll have to make sure you plan out a budget with some wiggle room. Things can add up quickly, and if you want to shop, hire drivers, or take excursions, you'll need to make sure you bring a sufficient amount of money since you may not have access to more once you're there.

Pro Tip: We recommend bringing a travel safe so that you can keep your cash safe.

10. Exchange at the Black Market Rate

While there are no longer two currencies in Cuba, the black market is still very real. As USD are in high demand, there is actually a street rate for exchanging, and it simultaneously helps locals and travelers to exchange outside the banks at this rate.

Don't exchange your money at the airport, or with your Airbnb for that matter (ours took advantage of us). Instead, ask around for what the current black market exchange is, and negotiate with reputable looking local businesses like restaurants or shop owners.

11. Keep Some of Your Dollars/Euros

DO NOT exchange all of your money at once! There are actually certain situations in Cuba where you'll have to pay in either dollars or euros (strange, I know). So you'll want to have plenty on you for those situations.

Not only that though, the black market rate typically changes in travelers' favor, so you should only exchange a small amount of money at a time.

12. Keep Small Change

Many businesses don't have a ton of change, so try to keep small change on your at all times. Also, some places may not have change at all, so to avoid complications of not getting the right amount of money back, we highly recommend keeping your bills as small as possible while moving around.

13. In an Emergency, Search for Travelers with Venmo, Revolut, or Wise

While this shouldn't be something you rely on, we know a ton of travelers that were saved by having these apps in a time of desperation. It's not uncommon to budget on the lower end, and finding Americans or Europeans may just be your saving grace.

14. Remember to Tip

Tipping is pretty common in Cuba, especially in the tourism industry. Make sure to always have smaller change for this reason as well. You can leave around 10% in restaurants, and some pesos or dollars here and there to tip guides or hotel staff that is particularly helpful.

15. Get a Travel Adapter

Most outlets in Cuba fit the same plugs as the US, and run on 110 volts. However, there are some newer hotels that run on 220V, so it's wise to bring a travel adapter so you avoid potentially blowing out your electronics.

Essential Peru Travel Tips: Staying Connected

If you're anything like us, then you'll probably want (or need) to stay connected while traveling. Traveling in Cuba isn't the same as traveling anywhere else in the world, so you'll want to have these tips in mind to make sure you're connected in the best (or least worse) way possible.

16. Get a Local SIM Card or e-SIM

The Wifi is God awful in Cuba, and cell signal is cut off for outside providers (especially those from the US). While local SIM cards aren't fabulous, they're the most ideal for having a glimpse of signal while moving around the island.

17. Don't Attempt to Work Remotely

If you're thinking of working while traveling like us, you're going to want to seriously reconsider. We were lucky to be able to open our emails, no less go onto platforms allowing us to work. Not only that, but so many applications and websites are blocked in Cuba, making it even more challenging.

Take the week off and try to disconnect, because it's not worth the hassle of trying to work remotely.

18. Download Offline Maps

Even if you are connected in Cuba, there are plenty of places that won't have an ounce of service, or at least not strong enough to load Google Maps. 

If you're trying to get around Cuba or navigate the cities, then one of our essential Cuba travel tips is to download offline maps. This way, you'll still be able to get around without stress if you lose service.

 Essential Cuba Travel Tips: Activities & Booking

Now for the fun part! Some of our most essential Cuba travel tips are making sure you don't miss out on a thing!

19. Don't Book Everything in Advance

We typically advocate for booking in advance. But with Cuba? It will seriously only give you more stress. We changed our itinerary multiple times due to weather, transportation limitations, and finding more joy in some places over others.

Plan a rough schedule, but stay open to booking things as you go. There was plenty of accommodation available, and finding a driver to take us places was also really easy.

20. Give Yourself More Time Than You Think

Cuba is one of those places where time just flies by and oftentimes fun little curveballs will come your way. If you're thinking about hopping to a new city each day, you'll probably want to reconsider. Transportation can take much longer than anticipated, blackouts can happen, you can get caught in a flood, etc.

We had to join the locals in joking about it, because every time something like this happened, they'd just roll their eyes with a chuckle and go "es Cuba!"

Essential Cuba Travel Tips: Food & Drink

Eating and drinking in Cuba is unlike anywhere else. One minute you'll struggle to find a place with decent food, and the next you'll be sipping on the best daiquiri of your life on a beautiful rooftop. 

Being prepared for both the good and bad is crucial, and these essential Cuba travel tips will do just that.

21. Avoid Taking Random Locals' Recommendations

You may find yourself walking around the streets when all of the sudden a stranger comes up to you and offers you an amazing restaurant. Sounds sweet right? Well, not really.

Many people work closely with tourist traps to bring them foreign clients. The restaurants typically have extortionate prices, and the food looks less than promising.

Stick to recommendations on blogs, or just check out the menus of different restaurants rather than getting any random local's opinion. 

22. Drink all the Daiquiris You Can

You seriously have not had a real daiquiri until you have visited Cuba. While the food rarely blew us away, we felt the complete opposite with the drinks!

This is truly the one place where it's much more worth drinking your calories than eating them.

23. Keep Your Coffee Expectations Low

If you're a coffee lover, save it for another trip. Our first visit to Peru involved a lot of small towns, and we quickly learned that many coffee shops don't actually know what a cappuccino is or espresso for that matter. In fact, we had a few places give us "expresso" which is basically powdered coffee, not espresso.

24. Keep Your Food Expectations Limited

Cuban food is often glamorized in cities like NYC or Miami. The reality though? Those authentic Cuban flavors you're imagining will be march harder to find than you think. It's really sad, because it is not because they don't know how to cook, but because they are just so low on resources.

You can absolutely find some good restaurants, but just remember that they have to work with what they've got, and it's not always a lot.

25. Bring Your Own Condiments and Spices

If you're looking to really add a boost of flavor to your food, then we recommend bringing some of your own condiments. We always carry a travel bottle of hot sauce and Tajin, and this helps when the food doesn't meet your expectations in some places.

 Essential Cuba Travel Tips: Getting Around

Getting around Cuba can be really overwhelming, especially with limited information out there and limitations on options. While we have an entire guide dedicated to this, here are some of the most essential Cuba travel tips when it comes to navigating your way through the country.

26. Use Colectivos 

One of our favorite hacks for traveling in Cuba is to take advantage of the colectivos! If you are a group of 3 or 4, it's easier to simply hire a driver, but if you are just one or two people, getting a colectivo can save you a bit of money since you'll be sharing with a few other travelers.

We actually had so much fun on our ride from Havana to Viñales that we ended up spending our entire visit there as a group!

27. Rent Scooters Inside Cities

Renting a car in Cuba can be really expensive, but renting a scooter in Cuba is a great alternative that is much more budget friendly. While you won't be able to use them for longer distances, they're a great option for exploring the surroundings of whatever city you're in.

28. Negotiate Rates Beforehand

If you plan on going into a taxi or colectivo, remember to not only ask the rate, but negotiate. Oftentimes drivers will try charging you more than other travelers, so always try to aim for a price slightly lower. Remember to clarify the rate before getting in, and bring cash to pay.

 Essential Cuba Travel Tips: Health & Safety

Staying healthy and safe during a trip is the most important thing to prioritize while traveling. These essential tips will ensure you enjoy your visit to Cuba, no matter what happens.

29. Be Extra Careful

Getting travel insurance is key when visiting a new destination. Unfortunately the majority of travel insurance companies will not provide coverage for Cuba though, and medical facilities are also not great, so just make sure to take it down a notch when being adventurous so you can best avoid any issues.

30. Bring Medication from Home

There is a massive shortage of medication in Cuba, so having your own medication is key to staying healthy and safe during your travels.

Not only is bringing medication for yourself wise, but we also highly recommend bringing some that you can spare for the locals that so desperately need it.

31. Keep an Eye on Your Belongings

While we never felt unsafe in Cuba, do remember that the country is not in a great state, and petty theft may happen due to this. Just keep an extra eye on your belongings, and try to travel light.

Bonus Tip: Get Air Tags! We put them in all of our belongings in case something gets lost or stolen.

Don't have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later? Just pin it!

32. Don't Wear Valuables

Nothing screams "rob me" more than wearing flashy jewelry or designer brands while traveling. Do yourself a favor and leave your fancy accessories at home. Not only is it not safe, but it's particularly tacky and heartless to do so in a place where other people can't afford those luxuries.

33.  Be Mindful of Photography

Photographing your travels is incredible! But do be a bit more sensitive in Cuba. Don't take photos of people without permission, and just try to be a bit discreet in general when lugging your camera around.

Essential Cuba Travel Tips: Weather & Packing

Our final tips for visiting Cuba are to make sure you pack and prepare properly before leaving!

34. Bring Insect Repellent

Cuba is extremely humid and hot, and if you're visiting during the wet season, prepare for A LOT of mosquitos and insects in general.

35. Take Your Own Snorkel Gear

Cuba has incredible marine life to enjoy! However, there aren't a ton of places that rent out snorkels, and the ones that do can be pretty pricey. Bring your own and you'll be able to enjoy the stunning Caribbean waters on your own.

36. Avoid the Hurricane Season

Cuba is known for having hot and tropical weather year round! And while that sounds great, it isn't always.

From June to October is the wet season, with hot and overbearingly suffocating weather conditions. There are frequent storms, and especially in September and October the island is very susceptible to hurricanes. We recommend opting for the cooler and drier months from November to April instead.

37. Carry Tissues With You at All Times

We're onto our final tips, and one of the most essential Cuba travel tips when it comes to hygiene, is to always be prepared! It's pretty common for bathrooms to NOT have toilet paper, even if they're making you pay to use one. I one time was even handed a book to rip a sheet of paper out of!

Trust us, you don't want to find yourself in a shitty situation - so carry tissues on you at all times!

38. Have Soap Sheets and Small Bars of Soap with You

Not only can toilet paper be rare, but soap can be even more hard to find - so much so - that you'll have locals asking for soap on the streets. We recommend bringing soap sheets for yourself to carry around, and some extra bars of soap that you can share with the people on the island.

Cuba Travel Tips: Final Thoughts & Recap

So now you know all of our essential travel tips for Cuba and should have a good idea of what to expect when traveling there. Here's a quick recap in case you missed anything.

• Flexibility will help you snag cheap flights to Havana, which is the best hub to start your trip.
• Americans need a valid reason for visiting, and “Support of the Cuban People” is the easiest to claim.
• Avoid government-run places, stay with locals, and keep your receipts for proof.
• You’ll need a Cuban Tourist Card to enter, which is basically a visa.
• Drones are not allowed at all.
• Cash is king in Cuba, and US credit or debit cards won’t work.
• Exchange small amounts of cash at the black market rate to get the most value.
• Keep some dollars or euros with you, since a few places only accept foreign currency.
• Tap water is not safe to drink, so bring a water filter or UV sterilizer.
• Learn some Spanish to get around more easily and avoid getting scammed.
• Don’t plan to work remotely, as WiFi and signal are very limited.
• Download offline maps and get a local SIM if you want any connectivity at all.
• Don’t book everything in advance. Be flexible and expect plans to change.
• Manage your food expectations, and bring condiments or spices if you're picky.
• Drink as many daiquiris as you can. They’re better than the food!
• Use colectivos to share rides and scooters to explore cities cheaply.
• Always negotiate your taxi or driver rates before getting in.
• Be extra cautious with your belongings and leave the flashy stuff at home.
• Bring any medication you might need, and extras to give to locals in need.
• Tipping is common in Cuba, so keep small change on you at all times.
• Avoid hurricane season and bring insect repellent if visiting during the summer.
• Pack tissues, soap sheets, and bars of soap, since many public bathrooms lack supplies.
• Bring your own snorkel gear to enjoy the coast without paying high rental prices.

What's Next?

Now that you have read all of our top Cuba travel tips, you'll probably want to learn more about visiting! Here are some of our other guides that we recommend to help you getting acquainted with this unique island country:

 How to Get to Cuba: Everything You Need to Know
 Is Cuba Worth Visiting? Honest Pros & Cons for Visiting

 Can American Travel to Cuba? A Full Explanation of How You Can Visit if You're from the US

 How to Get to Havana: Your Complete Guide for Traveling to Cuba's Capital

 10 Best Places to Visit in Cuba for an Unforgettable Trip

 Is There Wifi in Cuba in 2024? The Ultimate Guide for Internet in Cuba

 Ultimate Havana Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Eat, & Explore

 What to Eat in Cuba: A Guide to Local Flavors

 The Top Restaurants in Havana: Complete Food Guide for Cuba's Capital

 How to Get Around Cuba: A Complete Transportation Guide

 Scooters in Cuba: Everything You Need to Know Before Renting

...and more coming each week!

So, are you ready to plan a successful trip? We hope our guide of Cuba travel tips has helped answer any questions you may have had about visiting Cuba. Still have questions? Feel free to drop them in the comments below!

Want to learn more about traveling through Cuba? We have a ton of other Cuba Travel Guides 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 our most recent content, as well as for special content and discounts on our shop.

Looking to travel to Cuba but still need help planning your trip? Well, we're here to help! Scratch Your Mapa is ready to help you save both time and money, so that you can fully enjoy your trip while we take care of the hard parts. Want more info? Take a look at some of the travel planning packages we have, or email us today to learn more!

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