Deciding what to pack before any trip is always an exciting task. You may have many doubts when preparing your luggage to Cuba, with its beautiful paradisiacal beaches of crystal clear waters, colorful and lively streets of Havana and magical colonial cities. Undoubtedly, Cuba is a destination where packing our suitcase well becomes a fundamental necessity for any tourist.
That’s why we recommend you to be very attentive to this post. We are going to tell you all the items that are essential in your luggage for your trip to this beautiful Caribbean country. In addition, we will also give many tips so that you do not miss anything once you are enjoying a destination as impressive as Cuba. You’ll be amazed at how beautiful and full of contrasts it is. Read on and you’ll only have to worry about getting to the airport on time!
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1. Passport, tourist visa and medical insurance
When you get on any plane, it is of vital importance to have the necessary documentation before arriving in the country of destination. In the case of Cuba, not being in the Schengen area, it is even more important to make sure you have your Passport, your tourist visa and a good health insurance. Do not forget that you must request a tourist card in advance, although often the agency, or at the airport itself allows you to do so before boarding. It is also worth noting the importance of traveling insured to avoid problems in case of any unforeseen events.
Make sure you pack these documents in a compartment that is secure, but at the same time close at hand in case you need to show them.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
2. Sunscreen and insect repellent
Regardless of the areas of the country you will visit, Cuba always has quite high temperatures at any time of the year. That’s why sunscreen is a must, both in your suitcase and in your carry-on bag. Once there, you will have to apply it frequently to avoid all kinds of burns. Consider carrying several bottles in case you run out of sunscreen.
On the other hand, it is also highly recommended to bring a repellent for endemic insects. Cuba has a fauna very different from ours and it will help you avoid allergies or unpleasant encounters. Although they are difficult to obtain, they are often sold in the hotels. So we recommend that you ask.
3. Money: well distributed and in cash
Although most of the time we pay by cards or other electronic systems, Cuba is a developing country. That’s why in this country it’s very important to carry cash with you. You will need it to pay for most of the things you consume or buy while you are there: food, soft drinks, souvenirs…. Most establishments do not accept credit cards. You will be able to make the change in exchange houses or hotels. Make sure that the place where you change it is one established for it.
Also, we recommend that you distribute this cash well by putting it in different compartments of your luggage. You should also always carry some on you. This way, in case of theft, you will always have some money.
4. A power adapter
Since we usually travel with our cell phones and cameras to take the best pictures, we will need to charge them often. That’s why, it is very important to pack at least one power adapter that can work in any module. If you are going to need more power adapters for other electronic devices, you can also include more than one in your luggage to Cuba.
5. Medications
It is common that in Cuba there are shortages of some products, especially, medication of any kind. In addition, even if there is no shortage, they are usually much more expensive. That is why we recommend that in case any of the travelers is under treatment do not forget to take the amount of medicines you need for the whole trip in your suitcase before leaving your country of origin.
In addition, you should also prepare a basic kit with certain products that you may need, such as some anti-flu or anti-allergic, as well as a digestive drugs. This way you will be safe from possible colds and you will not be afraid to enjoy the rich Cuban gastronomy. You could also add band-aids and creams for insect bites.
@Remy Gieling
6. Paper maps or maps downloaded on any device
If you are going to travel to Cuba it is highly recommended that you bring with you a guidebook or several printed maps. This will make it much easier to get around the largest island in the Caribbean, as Internet is still limited in some areas. Since it is not available everywhere, you will not always have the opportunity to consult maps online. So, another way to travel safely, would be to download them offline on your cell phone. In any case, make sure you always have them at your disposal.
7. Comfortable shoes
When you travel to Cuba you will see that most of the trips in both cities and coastal areas are done on foot. In other words, you will need comfortable shoes to walk through its colonial squares as well as to walk through its stunning nature areas. Keep in mind that the old cities are currently national heritage sites and have cobblestone streets. It is therefore highly recommended to pack shoes that allow you to move comfortably in all places, such as several pairs of sneakers.
In addition, you could also include trekking sandals because they come in especially handy when going to waterfall areas. These sandals are super comfortable for walking on any surface, they are even perfect for the bathroom floors. For the same reason, don’t forget some basic flip-flops for the hotel pool. These flip-flops are also very useful for walking around the accommodation after a day’s sightseeing when you will no doubt have walked a lot.
8. Sunglasses and hats to protect you from the sun
The temperatures in Cuba are high almost every day of the year, so it is important that you carry in your suitcase the essential items to protect you from the sun. Since the sun is so intense, it would be advisable to bring a hat, so that it does not hit you directly when you are walking around Havana, for example. For this same reason, you should also include some dark close-fitting sunglasses. This way you will be able to walk around without the sun’s rays shining directly into your eyes. In addition, to make your luggage to Cuba even more suitable for the occasion, you could include clothing that is cool, with light fabrics and light colors.
9. A raincoat in you luggage to Cuba
Because of its Caribbean climate in Cuba it is quite common that heavy drizzles fall suddenly. That’s why we recommend that you don’t forget to include a raincoat or some clothing that can protect you from sudden precipitation. This raincoat could be carried in your bag or backpack when you go hiking, so you will be prepared for all kinds of weather change!
10. Cool clothes
Regarding clothing, remember to pack cool, quick-drying clothes. In Cuba there is always a lot of humidity, so shirts and T-shirts that are breathable and quick-drying come in handy. Also, don’t forget to make sure that your pants are wide and breathable. Pants with multiple zippers are also very practical and secure when it comes to storing your belongings in multiple spaces.
11. Use bags to divide the space
In addition to wearing your heaviest clothes when traveling, you could use vacuum bags inside your suitcase so that all your outfits take up less space. You will greatly reduce the space they occupy. Although you should keep in mind that when it comes to pack the suitcase when you go back, you will need an object that serves to return to vacuum all your clothes again. Both vacuum cleaners and the back of the hair-dryer will do the trick.
You can also opt for cloth bags to separate the space in your suitcase into different compartments. This way you’ll be able to find your underwear, makeup, or medications, for example, much faster.
12. Organize your trip to Cuba with Passporter App
Now, once you know everything you need to pack your luggage to Cuba, it’s time to plan your trip and Passporter is your perfect ally for that. Don’t forget to register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travelers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
- Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes we present in the post).
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you visited on your trip to the app to inspire other users.
- If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Cuba
In most cases, flights from Spain to Havana – Jose Marti Intl (HAV) airport have at least one stopover. However, Air Europa also offers direct flights from Madrid to the Cuban capital.
Cuban gastronomy can be tasted in ventanitas, in national restaurants and in paladares. You have to try the delicious and hearty Ropa Vieja, the Vaca Frita, the Moros y Cristianos, or the Cuban Sandwich.
Cuba has a tropical savanna climate. Therefore, it is hot every month of the year, both in the dry and wet seasons. The average annual temperature in Cuba is 27°.
Undoubtedly, the best time to visit Cuba is from January to September. This is because during this period there is almost always a fairly warm temperature and very little rainfall.
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