Is Cuba Worth Visiting? Honest Pros and Cons for Travelers

Is Cuba worth visiting? If you’re planning a Caribbean getaway, chances are you’ve wondered if this controversial island is the right destination for your trip. We'll be honest - it truly surprised us in every way, for both good and bad reasons!

Cuba has a lot to offer, and is really beautiful. However, visiting Cuba isn’t for everyone. Between strict regulations, limited internet access, and ongoing political tensions, it’s a destination that sparks strong opinions among travelers.

In this guide, we’ll help you decide if Cuba is the right choice for you. From the best reasons to visit to some serious challenges you might face, here’s everything you should know before planning your trip.

Is Cuba Worth Visiting? A Quick Overview

Before diving into all of the pros and cons of visiting Cuba, let's go over some of the basic questions you may be having.

Is it Safe to Travel to Cuba as a Tourist?

Cuba never felt necessarily unsafe. There were some creepy men, and definitely some people with scammy intentions though. You never have to really worry about anything truly bad happening, but there can be uncomfortable moments, and you'll have to be fully aware of your surroundings.

Is Cuba an Expensive Place to Visit?

Cuba is weird because it is wildly affordable in some aspects, and totally overpriced in others.

It's one of the most affordable destinations we've been to when it comes to food, drinks, shopping, and accommodation. Buses that travel from city to city are weirdly overpriced for local standards though, and tours are outrageously priced like other touristy Caribbean islands.

Overall you really can have a budget-friendly trip to Cuba, making it a great reason to visit over some other more popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean.

Is it a Good Idea to Go to Cuba?

We have so many mixed feelings about this. On one hand, we loved being able to experience a completely different type of place and helping locals that really needed it.

On the other hand, visiting Cuba felt a bit depressing at times, and it was frustrating in many ways.

In the rest of this article we're going to give you all of the reasons to visit Cuba, as well as some that may make you want to reconsider.

Is Cuba Worth Visiting? Pros & Cons

Now that you know some of the basics, let's look at both the pros and cons, so you can decide to see if Cuba is in fact worth visiting for you.

 Is Cuba Worth Visiting? Pros of Going

Here are some of the reasons Cuba is worth visiting.

Lack of Tourists

If you're looking to experience a quieter trip without mobs of tourists, then Cuba can be a great choice! While there are some places geared more towards tourists (Varadero for example), most towns have a pretty authentic feel.

It's Super Affordable

Many things in Cuba are extremely affordable! Meals are just a few dollars, and you can find accommodation for $20-30/night. Want to sip on endless daiquiris? At $1-2 each it's pretty easy (and a little dangerous ). 

There are Incredible Handmade Goods

Shopping in Cuba was my absolute favorite, particularly because of their incredible handmade garments. I loved the crochet dresses, and got a ton of them, each for around $10-20!

Purchasing from small shops is fun, and also a great way to support locals. While the government does get a big portion of the profits, at least locals are able to make a little extra cash. (Many salaries are only around $15/month!).

You Can Make a Positive Impact

To say Cubans are struggling is truly an understatement. The look on the woman's face when I purchased the dress she made was so heartwarming, and simply because of that I bought a few more from her. If i could, I probably would have purchased 100 of them just so she could have a better life.

Whether it's supporting the creativity of locals, using Airbnb, or hiring drivers to take you around, having cash flow though the hands of the people rather than the government is powerful and fulfilling.

If you get the chance and have room in your luggage, you can also bring toys, medication, and soap, which are all things that locals are often in desperate need of.

It's a Tropical Getaway

If you're suffering from the winter blues, Cuba is a great tropical destination to enjoy! They have some great beaches and waterfalls to go and enjoy - just make sure to avoid the summer heat and hurricane season!

It's Stuck in the Past

This is both a pro and con, depending on how you look at it. Cuba is the one place you can really feel like you've gone back a few decades. It's truly unique, and if you're open-minded and flexible with your travels, then it can be something worth appreciating.

 It's Full of Culture and History

Traveling to Cuba allows you to really have a better understanding of what the country is going through. Speaking with locals, going on tours, and just visiting the sites gives you true empathy for the people and is really enlightening.

Live music is everywhere, craft markets fill the streets, and there is so much culture to enjoy.

Whether you're doing a free walking tour in Havana, exploring the museums of Cienfuegos, dancing in Viñales, or simply having chats with your bartender, there's no denying that a visit to Cuba is fascinating. 

 It's a Cigar-Lover's Dream

Something truly unique to Cuba is its tobacco production, and you can experience the farms in Viñales. With a dad who loves cigars, I made sure to get him some of the highest quality smokes in the world, and truly stocked up on unique cigar and classic car related gifts.

 Overall Pros of Visiting Cuba

Cuba has a ton of culture and rich history to learn about. It's full of sunshine, beautiful landscapes, and warm locals. It's not overcrowded, and is a bit different than some of the other Caribbean islands.

Is Cuba Worth Visiting? Cons of Going

Now that you know some of the reasons to visit Cuba, let's take off the rose-colored glasses for a second. If you're still wondering "is Cuba worth visiting?" then we want you to also understand in full transparency what to expect.

 It's Not as Easy to Travel to

Now we want to be completely honest here - Americans CAN travel to Cuba! Truthfully it wasn't nearly as difficult as we thought it would be. Visas did need to be purchased, and a bit more planning did need to be done. It's not a massive con, but something to keep in mind.

If you're from the US and want to visit Cuba, theeen don't miss out on our guide for visiting Cuba as an American which goes into full detail about what you need to know.

It Looks Better in Pictures

When we first got to Havana, we felt completely cat-fished. The colorful facades were fading, the beautiful buildings were crumbling, and the streets were full of trash and an overall feeling of somber.

There are certain pockets of cities that are vibrant and pretty, while others have truly seen better days. Havana and other cities really need some refurbishment and love, but sadly it doesn't look as promising for the near future.

The Wifi is Awful

After visiting Cuba you'll never complain again about how bad your Wifi is at home. If you're working and traveling like us, then take the days off, because it's nearly impossible to do anything internet-related in Cuba.

We knew it would be bad, but we definitely underestimated just how poor the signal would be. If you want more details, then check out our guide to internet in Cuba.

US Credit Cards are Not Accepted

Traveling to Cuba can be tricky for Americans because credit cards are completely blocked (and that includes debit cards). This means you'll have to calculate the amount of cash you'll need in advance (which can be hard), and you'll also have to worry about having a ton of cash on you as well.

We recommend carrying a travel safe with you, and exchanging money little by little.

Funny thing is during our travels we met a few different groups of Americans, and quite a few times Venmo was saving someone running out of cash.

 Accommodation Options are Limited

If you're imagining luxury boutique hotels for your trip, then you may want to think again. There are certainly some beautiful hotels to stay at (particularly in Havana), but if you're from the US and are traveling under "support the Cuban people" then you are supposed to stay with locals.

Americans are not supposed to stay in any government-run establishments, which is the majority of the hotels you'd find that would be higher end.

We absolutely loved our guest homes, as they were the most authentic part of our travels. However, it certainly isn't for everyone. Also, even if you're not from the US you may find hotels that are simply no longer in the best shape.

There are Tourist Scams to Watch Out for

Like we mentioned earlier, Cuba is overall a safe country. However, it did get frustrating when locals would follow us to "show us directions" or try bringing us to an overpriced restaurant so they'd get commission.

The worst one for us though was our first Airbnb host had been messaging us before we arrived, and one we got there they offered to change our money to "help us out". We then found out that the rate they exchanged for was much lower than the going rate, and they clearly pocketed the difference (which was around $100 USD).

Overall the people in Cuba were good to us, but unfortunately there were also quite a few with not-so-great intentions.

Tourists & Locals are Separated

I think the thing that really bothered me the most about Cuba was the segregation. Tourists and locals are always separated. For example, tourists are forced to take one bus company, and are not able to take local transportation. 

Prices were 100x which just seemed abusive, but the worst part of it really was that transportation was limited, and we were never able to get the local feel in anything we did.

Locals can't afford to go out to eat, and even if they had the money they weren't even allowed to do excursions. Because of this it really felt like we were on vacation while they were struggling on the side, which was an awful feeling to have.

It's Frustrating to Move Around

Not only is there only one bus company that tourists are allowed to use, but they so rarely go out that it doesn't give you a whole lot of flexibility in your schedule.

Ride share apps don't work, and sometimes you really need to search for a taxi, and then go ahead and negotiate a rate that doesn't totally rip you off.

Car rentals are also extortionately expensive, so getting around on your own isn't so easy either. Tours go once or twice a day to beaches, so really your schedule relies heavily on a not-so-reliable system.

 The Food is Limited

Cuba has extremely limited resources, and it's pretty apparent in the food scene. While the drinks always flow, you won't always come across excellent restaurants or good coffee.

If you want to know how to make the most of eating and drinking in Cuba, then don't miss out on our Cuba food guide.

 Resources are Limited

Resources are beyond limited in Cuba, and some things that we take for granted are a true luxury in Cuba. Something as simple as toilet paper can be rare to come by - one girl even handed me a book to use when I paid for the bathroom!

I also lost my tweezers and getting a new pair was a joke to every store owner in Havana. Make sure to stock up on what you need, and be prepared for anything.

Overall Cons of Visiting Cuba

Cuba has low resources, and is stuck in the past. It's a bit more difficult to stay connected, to get around, and to find great places to eat. It's also a bit difficult to have authentic experiences.

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

 A Few Other Things to Keep in Mind for Visiting Cuba

Is Cuba worth visiting for you? If it is, and you do decide to go, here are a couple of things you should put into consideration!

 The Best & Worst Times to Visit Cuba

If you're looking for a tropical getaway, then Cuba can be a great destination! We'd recommend going from Autumn to Spring. Looking for a summer vacation? Then we highly recommend choosing another destination. 

We visited Cuba in June and it constantly poured, was brutally hot and humid, and was ridden with mosquitos. August to October is also hurricane season, so if you want to travel during these dates, then stay the hell out of the Caribbean.

 Drones in Cuba

Drones are strictly prohibited in Cuba, so if you are traveling to several destinations and will have a drone on you, then you may want to reconsider Cuba being on your list.

We got ours confiscated and had to pay a small fee. That wasn't necessarily the end of the world, but when we got our drone back covered in dust essentially sending it to the graveyard? Yea, we definitely would have kept it at home or sent it to our next destination from the previous one.

Is Cuba Worth Visiting? Final Thoughts & Tips

Is Cuba worth visiting? Here are our personal thoughts about the topic if you asked us today for our recommendation.

Is Cuba Worth Visiting?

We personally think that due to current circumstances, it may be better to rethink visiting Cuba at this time. The country is in a really bad state, and we definitely are hoping that the future will be brighter and better to visit as a tourist.

It does have beautiful places to visit, but many landscapes such as pretty beaches and nice waterfalls can certainly be found in other Caribbean destinations.

We did absolutely love many of our moments in Havana, as well as Viñales, which made our trip absolutely worth it. We'd recommend skipping Varadero and sticking to Havana, Viñales, and perhaps Trinidad. We're so happy we visited Cuba, but it certainly has its own set of struggles that come with it.

Tips for Visiting Cuba

Decided you're going to visit Cuba? Here are some tips to make sure you make the most of your trip:

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:

 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 - what do you think? Is Cuba worth visiting for you? It's truly a complex topic, and whether or not you decide to visit, we hope this article has helped you in the process.

Want to learn more about traveling to Cuba? We have a ton of other Cuba Travel Guides, 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.

Deciding to visit Cuba but need help planning your trip? Well, we're here to help! Scratch Your Mapa is ready to help save you both time and money on your trip, so that you can fully enjoy your visit while we take care of the not-so-fun aspects. 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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